BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – REIGNING Carnival Queen Orngel Erskine is calling on those persons involved in criminal activities to wake up and see what their irresponsible actions could have on the Federation’s economy.
Erskine, during a recent interview while sharing love with occupants of the Cardin Home, told SKNVibes that St. Kitts and Nevis is a small country and, as such, all crimes would be public knowledge and the financial spin off could hurt every citizen and resident in the Federation.
“We must remember that the tourism industry is an economic sector for us, and if this crime wave continues then we will see a decrease in the amount of tourists coming to these shores and they will be painted as being unsafe.”
Erskine wants leaders to step up to the plate and guide the nation’s youth along the path of respectability, where they could become economic prospects for the Federation and individuals who children coming after would seek to emulate.
“We have to help to shape and mold the young people to become respectable men and women. The more crime we have the more people we lose, the more loved ones we lose and families will mourn.”
In January the Federation recorded six homicides while there were 30 and number of other gun-related violence in 2015.
To date, there has been no recorded incident of gun violence in February.
The National Queen opined that the problem could not be a one person act to handle, noting that “we need to join together and work with each other to stop the crime” so that the Federation could be a safer place to live, work and visit.
In her efforts to reach out to persons, Erskine pointed out that she is planning to visit a number of learning institution around the island to speak about violence and other critical challenges facing teenagers.
“I plan to actually visit the different primary schools to speak about life and to talk to them about crime, teenage pregnancy and the various topics that are affecting the youths in the Federation. I am hopeful that they would take the message and pass it on and that they don’t end up in the same criminal activities, but strive to achieve what they want out of life.”
The soft-spoken Erskine, who competed against five other beauties to lift the crown back in December, informed that she is willing to work with any individual or group to promote or host any event to stop the rampant gun violence occurring on both St. Kitts and Nevis.
