BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – RESPONDING to comments made by Leader of the Opposition Hon. Mark Brantley about the government and crime and violence, the Prime Minister of the Federation, the Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, has vehemently declared that “the government is not responsible for crime”.
Prime Minister Douglas’ remarks were triggered after Brantley, during the recently concluded 2010 Budget Debate in the House of Parliament, criticised the government for its apparent nonchalant attitude towards crime and violence. He suggested that the situation was of grave concern, especially since the effect of crime and violence could stretch across all aspects of society including the economy.
In his response, Dr. Douglas accused the Opposition Leader of “creating sensationalism” in an attempt to “get into political office in Nevis and maybe in St. Kitts too” and to persuade persons to believe that the government holds responsibility for crime.
Dr. Douglas’s and Brantley’s points of view are identical, in that they both agree that government is not responsible for crime and violence but for leading the charge in the fight against it. They differ, however, where Brantley believes that the government has failed to execute its duty in leading the charge.
“I say again, the government is not responsible for crime and violence in St. Kitts and Nevis. The government has a responsibility to lead the charge in fighting crime…lead the charge! The security forces have a responsibility. There has to be integrity and dedication no matter how much training you give, how much equipment you give, how much support you give, if people are not prepared to pursue their roles professionally, you are going to have problems. The government can’t be blamed for that.”
As has been his constant suggestion, Dr. Douglas expressed that crime is a phenomenon which requires that all proverbial hands be on deck; each role must be filled in the fight is to be a successful one.
“And what about the parents? What is their role? Don’t they have a responsibility as well? Everybody has a responsibility… and that is why, to a large extent, I want to commend persons in this community who are rising to the occasion and taking the crime situation seriously and playing a part to resolve; not just simply coming into parliament and reminding people of the sadness association with the snuffing out of the lives of our young people. That’s not helping,” Dr. Douglas said.
The former Ministry of National Security issued a call for all facets of society to lend their support to “the government, support the Ministry, support the police and support the Defence Force as they collectively take on the serious task of fighting crime”.
