BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WITH crime continuing to pose a major challenge for law enforcement officers to handle, Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. the Hon. Timothy said “harsher” punishment would be meted out to criminals.
The Federation has recorded six homicides in the first month of the year and that figure has generated growing concerns among citizens and residents, since it represents a 50 percent increase when compared to the same period in 2015.
Last evening (Feb. 9) during his address to the nation on the restructuring of the Police High Command, PM Harris explained that his Government would continue to leave no stone unturned as it seeks to take the Federation out of the “social abhorrence of violent crime”.
“We will discuss harsher sentencing for those misguided citizens bent on assaulting public decency by the use of extreme violence to express and assert themselves, intimidate and denigrate others. Our justice system and the associated consequences for those individuals will be swift and uncompromising and should act as a deterrent for others with similar intentions.”
Dr. Harris also explained that in addition to having severe sentencing terms for persons who run afoul the law, his Government would also create opportunities for those who portray early signs of deviant behaviour.
“We will increase fines and consider alternative sentencing to reflect a level of punishment that befits the crime committed against members of society. Equally, our socioeconomic policies shall provide opportunities to those on the path of deviant and criminal behaviour, offering them a fresh start to a productive life.”
The Police Force has in recent weeks removed two illegal firearms and 53 assorted rounds of ammunition off the streets of St. Kitts and Nevis.
The Prime Minister stressed that with the increased attraction of business people and tourists to the Federation, an aggressive and effective policing service is needed by all in the country.
“Investors continue to turn to us as a land of shared opportunity. More visitors and tourists are walking among us, curious about how we live and about our nation’s natural beauty and attractions. Yet, in spite of these development indicators, we must modernize and innovate and look forward by future proofing our growth, our advantages and assets as we move forward.”
“In moving forward,” he added, “we must have a progressive and effective policing service for all people.”
Against that backdrop, the National Security Minister noted that the men and women in law enforcement must focus on the key principles of policing in keeping the nation safe, including “protecting and preserving our freedom and properties from those without moral values”.
Dr. Harris took the opportunity to call for an end to the retaliatory justice that continues to befall many on sister islands throughout the region.
“We must eradicate and stamp out the mindless tit-for-tat killings that have become a scourge in the Caribbean region, from Jamaica and Bahamas in the north to Trinidad and Tobago in the south.
“Our beautiful Federation too has been plagued for over a decade with retaliatory violence destroying families and wasting the lives of our fathers, sons, brothers and grandsons in the main.”
