BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – LEADER of the Opposition, Dr. Denzil Douglas has lashed out at Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris after his presentation of the 2018 budget, when it comes to the National Security portfolio.
His criticism came against the backdrop of, among other things, his increase in the allocations for the Ministry of National Security.
Dr. Harris laid before the National Assembly last week a $706.1 Million budget for the year 2018, of which the Ministry of National Security would receive an over $3 million increase.
Dr. Douglas was critical of the PM, noting that this year saw the biggest allocation to that sector with over $71 million allocated.
“What I am saying is that it becomes pointless, if you just simply increase and it does not in any way show the necessary returns in terms of reduction, and the management of the crime situation in the country,” Dr. Douglas told SKNVibes.
Douglas also lamented on the closing of police stations in St. Paul’s and other areas around the Federation, despite further increases for National Security in 2018.
“He is saying that St. Paul’s for example is a hotbed of criminal activities in recent times, but he closed the station. No provisions have been made for the police to operate in that community from that site. There are properties that could be used to provide the services,” said Douglas.
The former prime minister and Minister of National Security stated that there has been an increase in criminal activities over last year and this year, and despite the continued increase in allocation in the budget estimates, it continues unabated.
“What we are hearing is nothing new,” said Douglas. “Programmes that this administration shut down when they got into office and met there and being pursued by Dr. CG Walwyn, they are reintroducing them., so why close them in the first instance?”
He claimed that “there is a lack of seriousness on the part of the prime minister” when it comes to fighting crime.
But the prime minister has over the last several months spoken out against the continued criminal activities occurring in the Federation.
At the recent Long Service Awards ceremony for police officers, Dr. Harris continued his call for community involvement to stem the flow of gun violence in St. Kitts and Nevis.
“We as a people need to positively and aggressively engage the young people. Since becoming the prime minister of this beloved land of St. Kitts and Nevis, and have added responsibility of National Security have become more keenly aware that safer communities and the reduction of crime should not be left to the police and security forces alone.”
The prime minister stated that efforts must be made to establish and strengthen “trusting, respectful and inclusive partnerships between the police and community groups”.
The Federation for 2017 has recorded 22 homicides, a large number of other crimes, including larceny and break-ins.
The prime minister has over the last several years called for more involvement from the community to assist in stemming crimes, and he explained that together the police and community can work together to find solutions “to address those things that are leading to insecurity and criminal activities”.
“For this year so far, the police have responded and contained, and in some cases curtailed the upsurge of homicides and related violent incidents in our country… And it is for this I want to thank them,” he told officers at the Long Service Awards.
But Dr. Douglas stated that with the increased allocation, unless properly channeled “we are not going to get anywhere, unfortunately’.
