BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - TACKLING the crime problem and ridding the streets of St. Vincent and the Grenadines of illicit firearms were the aim of an engagement between Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and the High Command of the territory’s Police Force.
Like with many territories around the region, St, Vincent and the Grenadines has been grappling with a growing crime problem, and cutting it off before it festers into something more significant was the focus of Sunday’s (Feb. 12) engagement.
Gonsalves told the media in Kingstown on Sunday that coming off of the number of homicides that the island nation has seen in recent times, more specifically in 2022, it was important for that meeting to be held and it was fruitful.
“I think that given the homicides which have taken place in 2023 already, coming on the back of what happened last year, I think this particular meeting, this particular session was a very important one,” noted the Prime Minister.
Data from St. Vincent and the Grenadines showed that the territory recorded 42 homicides in 2022, reportedly topping its 2016 figures which was its highest.
Gun-related incidents are a critical issue that is plaguing the territory, and it had been that way for a number of years.
Now, Gonsalves disclosed that an operational framework for taking firearms off the streets was discussed and a nine-page document was presented on the strategies to deal with the issue.
In his press conference, Gonsalves revealed that a review of the current strategies and framework, including operational frameworks, were discussed along with the continued cooperation from regional and international agencies such as Impacts, RSS, the United and Canada were laid out in the frank and candid discussions.
“I believe we had an excellent discussion,” Gonsalves emphasized.
He however stopped short of outlining his plans to deal with the situation.
The Prime Minister is expected to discuss the topic with officials from the European Union and The United States, among others, while he visits Guyana.
It is expected to be raised again when he engages with regional leaders at the CARICOM Intersessional meeting slated for Nassau, Bahamas later this week.
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