BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – DESPITE refusing to accept any blame for the upsurge in violent crime within the Federation, Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil Douglas said that residents of St. Kitts and Nevis must be blamed for the gruesome situation.
On Tuesday’s (Aug. 18) edition of his weekly “Ask the PM” radio show, Douglas warned persons not to be swayed by the idea that it was cool to own a weapon. He explained that the increase in illegal gun activity was attributed to this growing perception.
“A lot of our own people must be blamed for what is happening because we seem to think that the way to protect ourselves is to go and get a gun. And then we encourage our people abroad to send us weapons. The vicious trade that is developing where people are illegally bringing weapons into the country is a concern for all of us,” Douglas stressed.
“Those of us who think it is cool to own a weapon, who think it is the thing of the day, we are the ones perpetuating this problem. We have to recognise that the way to fight violence and crime is not for us to be armed ourselves. It is for us to work together as one to fight the scourge of illegal weapons we have in our country today.”
According to the PM, this perception could be traced back to the availability of illegal firearms, as in the old days illegal weapons were not as accessible as they are now.
“There was a time when you had a dispute and you wanted to settle it in your own way. But because it was not so easy to be walking around with a weapon, your anger would dissipate without any violence happening. But today, people have access to guns. They get the gun, bam, bam, bam and take revenge.”
Douglas’s comments come in the face of the escalating violent activities within the Federation - since January 1, 2008, 41 murders have been recorded. Police personnel admit there are more firearms on the streets than ever before.
The government has implemented numerous strategies to combat crime including a national and regional consultation, hiring an FBI consultant and establishing an Anti-Gang Unit in the Royal St. Kitts-Nevis Police Force. During the 2009/2010 Budget debate in December last year, the Prime Minister, who is also the Minister of National Security, stated that more financial resources would be allocated towards crime fighting.
During that same debate, Douglas responded to calls made by opposition party the People’s Action Movement that he should step down, by saying that any responsibility for crime would roll off his back like water off a duck’s.
However, despite that strong remark, the Prime Minister reiterated his government’s condemnation for crime during Tuesday’s show, saying it would continue to do all within its power to ensure the provision of the necessary support for security forces.
