BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, June 25.2018 – ASSISTANT Commissioner of Police (ACP) with Responsibility for Operations Terrance James has called on the public to give information that will lead to the capture of those persons who are responsible for the recent upsurge in criminal activities, specifically those gun-related.
While addressing a recent forum, the ACP acknowledge that there is an upsurge in criminal activities, and as such they have launched several operations that will see more officers being visible to the public.
With more officers being visible on the streets ACP James called on members of the public to cooperate with the law men, as they seek to keep the peace in St. Kitts and Nevis.
The operations form part of a plan the officers have that is in keeping with the force’s Six-point Strategic Plan 2016-2019.
“We know part of our plan was to target the criminals and keep our federation safe. And so, this is no different and, we are continuing our operations. We have rolled out ‘Operation Reassurance’, where we are reassuring the public that the police is still here for the public and to work alongside the public. And so we are asking for the general public’s support when they see the police out doing operations to give their public support.”
The law men have been challenged over the last several weeks, with a number of shooting incidents that left several people dead.
But according to James, they are aware that the public are at times frustrated when they are stopped by officers at various checkpoints. However, he is urging cooperation and partnership to bring all perpetrators to justice.
“We have asked the public to assist the police in giving information. There is somebody in the police force, a senior person, who you can speak to and we are urging the general public to come out and give the information. We have to get the evidence to take before the court when these offenses occur,” James pleaded.
Many have strongly criticized the police for their lack of visibility, which they believe is leading to the continued gun crimes occurring on the streets of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Just recently, a bus driver was gunned down as he sat in his bus awaiting passengers in College Street Ghaut, two days later a young man was shot and rushed to the hospital on Nevis.
A third shooting incident occurred in Irish Town, where a male emerged from a motor vehicle and began to shoot at another male in the vicinity of the Garden Housing Development. That incident saw swift condemnation from the public and politicians alike.
The incident occurred outside of a primary school as parent and students were making their way to the institution.
However, though they occurred in the full view of the public, police are still seeking the public’s assistance to garner information that may lead to the arrest in this and other similar incidents.
