BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN recent times there has been a significant increase in crime in the twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, ranging from break-ins to armed robberies to homicides.
The most disturbing of these crimes is homicide, and the rate at which they are committed is astronomical for a country with a population of approximately only 51 000. Between 2006 to date, there have been 93 homicides with which the solvability rate cannot keep apace.
The police have been calling on the public to assist them in their endeavours, but the calls all seem to have fallen on deaf ears. Most of these homicides have been committed in the presence of many citizens, but yet they refuse to divulge to the law enforcement officers what they saw and know. Is it that they are protecting the criminals, or are they afraid to be identified?
It is known that if a person reports to the police what he or she had witnessed in a crime, this is called providence of information. But for that information to become evidence in order to prosecute the perpetrator, the witness must appear in a court of law and state what he or she saw and be prepared for cross examination.
With this in mind, this week’s question is: “What if you are the sole witness of a homicide, will you inform the police and be prepared to give evidence in court?"
Looking forward to your constructive opinions and views.
