BASSETERRE, St. Kits – THE Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force is receiving some commendations for taking measures to clamp down on the rise in serious crime, but it is being suggested that the overall response needs to be broader based and proactive.
Only a couple of weeks ago the RSCNPF beefed up its collaboration with sister organisations, suspended leave for the officers to ensure that they were available to work and increased its presence on the streets.
These and other measures were in response to what Commissioner of Police Ian Queeley described as a “crisis” with the Federation recording six homicides and seven attempted murders in the first month of 2016.
Since the implementation of these measures, there has been an obvious, distinct and welcomed lull in criminal activity.
Former Minister of National Security and founder of Operation Rescue G. A. Dwyer Astaphan, in an interview with SKNVibes, said that the response to crime needs to blossom into one which includes the hosting of a national forum where possible solutions could be expressed and heard by all.
“We are reacting but we are only reacting on a narrow basis. We can’t just react, but react on a broad basis…and then we have to become proactive. You may recall, I, for some months now, have been calling for a national forum on crime with all parties, all interest groups being present and let’s have a conversation. Let’s try to analyze it. You have to assess it. What are the causes, what are the consequences and come up with a list of remedies for it. I don’t see why it can’t happen. What would prevent it from happening?”
Astaphan told SKNVibes that whichever stakeholder has possible solutions, be it the church, Opposition, private sector or other organisations, they should freely forward such to the Ministry of National Security as a means of beginning the conversation.
“If the Opposition has suggestions about how crime can be reduced, send them in a letter to the Ministry of National Security and some common ground should be reached and figure out. As responsible citizens and responsible stakeholders, we all have to lend our ideas to the process. I do feel that a national forum can be held and I don’t think that the Government would be resistant to such an idea…”
