BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Labour Party-led government of St. Christopher and Nevis has renewed its commitment to fighting crime and has issued a stern warning to those who persist in running afoul of the law.
In recent times, the government has come under fire for what some describe as its inability to control the Federation’s level of crime while others describe it as apparent indifference towards crime. The government was also criticised for not executing its duties in leading the charge in the fight against crime and violence.
Leader of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party and Prime Minister of the Federation, Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas, on Monday (May 3) delivered his annual Labour Day address at the Patsy Allers Playing Field before an assembly of workers and party supporters.
He used that occasion to express his government’s recommitment to the crime fight and called on all political parties and all other components of society to join in the effort to effect change. He reiterated that the safety and security of the Federation is his government’s number one priority.
“I wish today to renew the commitment of this government to tackling crime and violence will continue to remain priority number one, as we understand that all the strides that we make can be easily reversed if our current state of affairs were to persist. I will continue to emphasise that the whole of this country must play its part in this solution. I commit my government to lead in this fight but I ask for the hands of every parent, of all of our schools and teachers, of the religious community, of the non-governmental organisations, the business community and each individual citizen without exclusion, PAM and Labour, CCM and NRP to join this great march towards a more peaceful and loving country of ours.”
A stern warning was issued to persons to satisfy their wants and needs by the sweat of the brow and by legal means, as opposed to living in breach of the laws of the land. Law abiding citizens were encouraged to not allow themselves be held captive by those deviant members of the community.
“I urge you and every citizen to work hard, to work honestly for what you want. Work honestly to acquire the goods and services that you need to improve yourselves, your families and stop taking other people’s things that don’t belong to you. This must come to an end. You can always hide from man but you cannot hide from God, and one of these days you will come to reckon with those deeds that are causing us pain and trauma in this land of ours.
“I urge every law-abiding citizen to be steadfast in your commitment to see a better St. Kitts and Nevis. I urge you to be bold and courageous and not be imprisoned in our own country by a few who are misguided in the belief that differences can only be settled through violence.”
Meanwhile, on Wednesday (Apr. 28), Minister with responsibility for National Security, the Hon. Sam T. Condor, said his ministry has employed a strategic approach to the battle against crime, which marries both the preventative and responsive. He said these include heightened visibility of officers and the installation of 50 additional closed circuit cameras around the Basseterre and surrounding areas.
