BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – PRIVATE sector businesses represented by the St. Kitts-Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CIC) have raised concerns about the recent appointment of two former government employees to advise the Ministry of National Security on its crime prevention and detection strategy.
In the face of worsening conditions of criminal activity, former Attorney-General Dr. Dennis Merchant and Retired Commissioner of Police Robert Jeffers were appointed consultants to the Police Force via the Ministry of National Security.
This announcement was made in a July 16 press release from the Police Public Relations Office, and while it symbolises possible crime-response action from the government, the CIC is concerned about the contributions that these two individuals would be able to make.
“Both of these gentlemen have had the opportunity to make a positive impact on reducing crime and have been proven unsuccessful during their respective tenures. As such, it begs the question, ‘What new strategies do they now bring to the table, which are yet untried but guaranteed to bring fast results?” the Chamber questioned.
It is time now, according to the CIC communiqué, for the government to admit that the nation could only meaningfully address the problem of crime by tapping into outside help as a matter of priority.
The CIC recommends that the expertise of foreign officials be procured and noted that the Federation’s crime problem could no longer continue as it is.
The reports reads, “The Federation can ill afford to dawdle on this critical decision – neither can the country afford the socio-economic fallout that will result from continued, unchecked and unsolved criminal activity.
“The well documented abysmal detection rate for all categories of crime serves as a loud wake-up call for all concerned. We wish to see results-oriented expenditure of any financial assistance provided to us to strengthen the fight against crime.”
The CIC’s call on the government comes just 48 hours following a high-day shooting in the vicinity of St. Johnston’s Avenue, injuring six young men. The concerns fall against the backdrop of weeks of reported robberies and shootings around the island.
The private sector has described the country’s state of affairs as a “wanton disregard for human life” and issued a serious call for the Ministry of National Security to urgently seek out “new and workable approaches” to address the situation.
A spokesperson for the Chamber has indicated that the organisation would be seeking an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister and the Minister of National Security in order to further address its growing concerns about crime.
