BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Mar.05.2018 – REGIONAL Heads of Government have recognized the rising levels of crime and violence in member states, and as a result, continue to engage all sectors of society.
The topic of crime and violence was one of the areas up for discussion at the recently held CARICOM Intersessional Meeting in Port-au-Prince Haiti.
According to regional leaders, the high levels of crime and violence erode confidence in Government, reducing the competitiveness of key industries and services, as well as reduce confidence among potential investors and contribute to brain drain.
They pointed out that given the gravity of the problem in the region, Heads of Government agreed to strengthen the relevant inter-sectoral systems at the national and regional levels to ensure efficient collaboration in planning and execution of relevant programmes to address the multifaceted issues regarding crime and violence.
Additionally, they agreed to strengthen collaboration with international partners to build capacity at all levels to address crime and violence.
“Heads of Government mandated the Council for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) to create an intra-regional task force comprising experts in the field, to examine and suggest innovative regional solutions to combat the rise in crime and violence in Member States.”
They also mandated the Secretariat to develop a comprehensive Action Plan for the development of Crime and Criminal Justice Statistics.
St. Kitts and Nevis, like many other CARICOM states, has a major crime and violence problem.
The government and the police force have implemented plans to tackle the issue.
Further discussions are expected to be had at the CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting scheduled for Kingston, Jamaica in July.
