BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – PRIME MINISTER Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas has stressed that his ruling St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) government would not rest until it has a handle on the nation’s crime problem.
“My government is committed to working with the police in doing all we can to bring crime under control...coming from time to time to this legislature to assist with legislation that can make more effective our fight against crime is something my government intends to do,” he reassured. “Not only until we are on top of the problem, it is something we will do continuously.”
The Kittitian leader made these comments during Wednesday’s (Nov. 18) Parliament session in which the Island Constables Bill 2009 was debated and passed through the law-making body. The new legislation makes provisions for suitably qualified persons to be conferred with the same powers as police officers.
Island constables will assist the Royal St. Christopher-Nevis Police Force mainly in cases of emergencies or riots.
According to Douglas, the Act’s passage is a confirmation of the government’s crime-fighting efforts, and is just one in a series of related bills discussed in Parliament in recent times.
“We have increased penalties by amending several pieces of legislation. Just last week, we revisited the Firearms Act, making sure that we go one step further, especially on the continued request and support of the Customs Department, that one who is found with a gun illegally could very well be engaged in its smuggling.”
Added the PM: “It is no comfort to know that this crime wave is being seen in other Caribbean countries, but it becomes much more critical that we use all of our energies and efforts to attempt to control the problem and, if necessary, call on all our resources.”
Noting there was public appeal for increased visibility by members of the police force, Douglas explained that the addition of Island Constables would remedy this situation. He assured that the public could expect to gain more confidence in the nation’s security forces.
“One thing observed is that the presence of officers can be a serious deterrent in the committal of crime. So we hear that our communities need to see more police on the streets.
“With this Bill, we would have significantly improved the presence of officers with certain constabulary powers in our communities so that they would be able to better discharge their duties and bring much more comfort to our citizens.”
