BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – PRIME MINISTER Dr. the Hon. Denzil Douglas said he had “successfully pursued” his crime-fighting agenda despite an escalating homicide rate that saw the Federation record unprecedented levels of murders over the past two years.
St. Kitts-Nevis has experienced an upsurge in homicidal activity since 2008 when the annual toll rose to a record 23 from 16 in 2007.
That figure was shattered in 2009 when 28 homicides were committed; 27 of which the police confirmed they were investigating as murders.
“I have successfully carried out my mandate as Minister of National Security. My mandate was not determined at all by the crime rate. I cannot stop crime,” said Douglas, speaking at his monthly press conference yesterday (Apr. 21).
“Those who thought when I took the responsibility that I was going to go inside there and stop crime, erase crime from the face of St. Kitts-Nevis, were grossly mistaken. My mandate had nothing to do with the rate of homicides in the country.
“On January 25, the people of St. Kitts-Nevis spoke in loud voices when they went to the polls and endorsed the government’s policies and programmes with regards to the development of the country, including the way in which it is tackling the crime situation,” he added.
The Prime Minister also threw his support behind new National Security Minister Hon. Sam Condor, stating that it was “frivolous” and “ridiculous” to criticise him for the recent spate of murders.
Condor assumed the portfolio in February, taking over the responsibility from Douglas who had held it from August 2008 until Condor’s appointment.
“Give [Condor] a chance to see what he will do. Let the man get his due opportunity and then we can talk about success or non-success. Hold your criticism until you see how well he will lead the ministry and bring satisfaction to the people in regard to our crime-fighting strategy and national security policy.”
Douglas asserted that although the new minister had barely begun, he was already taking positive steps to generate maximum benefits from the material and institutional assets already at his disposal.
He revealed that the government is moving towards the creation of a “cohesive” crime-fighting apparatus that would include the restructuring of crime-fighting units and greater collaboration between the Police and Defence Forces.
Douglas also pointed to specific actions his government had taken to solve gun-related crimes, such as the introduction of a K9 Unit at the Customs Department, which he claimed was a “reliable system” of increased detection capability.
There have also been moves to limit gun licensing by civilians so that firearms are only given to persons who have met certain requirements and preconditions.
