BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, August 19, 2010 (PAM Secretariat) - St.Kitts-Nevis Opposition People’s Action Movement has called on the ruling Labour Party government to consider and implement all if not significant sections of the party’s proposed crime-fighting initiative in wake of the recent murder of Javid Johnson of East Street, Newtown.
Johnson was shot point blank range in the back of the head according to police reports and managed to reach to the JNF Hospital alive where he underwent emergency surgery. He was paralysed from the waste down according to reports. The 29 year-old also known as “Fathead” succumbed to his injuries at around 6:10pm on the evening of August 16th.
People’s Action Movement Leader Lindsay Grant expressed condolences to the family of Johnson and expressed his outrage at the continued crime and violence that is plaguing the country.
“I am outraged that crime in this country seems to be continuing unabated and uncontrolled,” said People’s Action Movement Leader Lindsay Grant. “19 homicides in our country by any standard is totally unnacceptable and the government really has to quit playing politics with the crime issue and address it rather than dismissing the concerns of our people as being politically generated or motivated. How can the expressed outrage of our people about the serious crime situation in this country be seen by anyone let alone the prime minister as politics. This is a very serious matter and it requires serious leadership which the prime minister obviuolsy has failed to provide.”
The Opposition party leader indicated his party’s willingness to discuss the party’s crime-fighting plan which outlines a number of initiatives that the party is confident can significantly reduce the incidents of crime and violence in the country.
“I am calling on the government to put the politics aside and seriously consider my party’s National Crime Fighting Plan which is a document that outlines a number of initiatives that can and will once properly implemented and enforced , result in the significant reduction of crime , particualrfly violent crimes including robberies, rapes and of course murders,” said the charismatic People;s Action Movement Leader.
The emphasis of the Opposition Party’s crime fighting plan is on the enhancement and development of the police force. Some of the initiatives outlined to improve the force and it’s crime fighting and detection ability include
· Allowing the Police Force to function free of political interference.
· Establishing a properly functioning, non political National Advisory Council.
· Improving Police Force morale by involving the Police Association in formulating the terms and conditions of service.
· Remuneration of Police Officers based on academic achievements and performance.
· Professionalizing the Police Force by giving it its own Budget and clear roles of responsibility, as determined by the National Advisory Council on Crime.
· Increasing the number of police officers to provide the force with the capacity to reintroduce a beat and patrol programme.
The plan also include initiatives to improve the Judicial system, the penal system and Immigration system.
The People’s Action Movement’s comprehensive CRIME FIGHTING PLAN is featured in the party’s 2010 manifesto. Since the infamous double murders of popular radio personality Lorenzo “Mean Machine” Green and his wife some 4 years ago the federation has recorded an unprecedented 102 murders an average of over 25 murders per year.
PAM's recommended new Crime Initiative
A New Initiative Against Crime
The People’s Action Movement cares deeply about the increase in crime especially the escalating murder rate, the proliferation of guns, gang violence among the youths and illegal drug trafficking. The People’s Action Movement therefore implores the Labour Administration to consider the PAM Crime Fighting Initiative as outlined below:
The People’s Action Movement proposes an immediate injection of finance and an increase in investment in the human resource capability and crime fighting equipment of the Police Force .
An Upsurge in Crime
There has been a general increase in crime, but most alarmingly, in the number of murders in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. From 1995 to December 2009, there have been 168 murders. In 1995, there were four (4) murders in St. Kitts and Nevis. In 2008, this figure had risen to 23, and in 2009, 27 murders and as of August 13th 2010 the country has had 18 homicides. House breaking, Armed Robbery and larceny have also shown a recent upsurge. Masked men now hold up unsuspecting families in their homes.
The Peoples Action Movement recommends a three pronged approach to crime fighting. That 3 prong approach must be short, medium and long term.
Our Police Force
Goal
To provide for the safety and security of all citizens and visitors to our shores by reducing the level of crime in St Kitts and Nevis; To improve and make more efficient the crime fighting system which will be accessible to all, equipped with modern policing methods and technologies to ensure success. Coast Guard, Fire and Rescue Services will have to be expanded and administrative resources and support enhanced to accomplish crime fighting objectives.
Suggested Plans
To improve the crime situation the Peoples Action Movement recommends:
• Allowing the Police Force to function free of political interference.
• Establishing a properly functioning, non political National Advisory Council.
• Improving Police Force morale by involving the Police Association in formulating the terms and conditions of service.
• Remuneration of Police Officers based on academic achievements and performance.
• Professionalizing the Police Force by giving it its own Budget and clear roles of responsibility, as determined by the National Advisory Council on Crime.
• Increasing the number of police officers to provide the force with the capacity to reintroduce a beat and patrol programme.
• Developing and training a Specialized Gang Unit.
• Investing adequately in modern policing methods and technologies to fight crime.
• Increasing the training of police at ALL levels.
• Establishing a modern Forensic Laboratory staffed with suitably trained officers.
• Improving the conditions of work of the police by providing the correct work environment, improved accommodation and added incentives, thereby enhancing job satisfaction.
• Implementing 24 hour Mobile Patrols called Police Quick Response comprising of three officers one of whom should be from Special Forces.
• Employing suitably qualified persons from the Spanish Speaking communities into the Police Force, Fire Services, Coast Guard.
• Reorganizing and modernizing the Criminal Investigation Department to expand their capabilities in white collar crime, cyber crime and terror investigation/prevention.
• Improving the security network to link Police Stations, Fire and Rescue Service, Courts, Immigration Department, Customs, Coast Guard, Defense Force and the penal System on both islands.
• Reassessing the Import Duties and Consumption Taxes on Security Systems.
• Enacting legislation to support an independent Police Complaint Authority.
• Expand Pension Scheme for Police/Security Forces/Fire/Coast Guard to protect spouses of persons who die or become incapacitated during duty.
• Providing the proper Power Boats in sufficient numbers to protect our coastline and have them stationed not only in Basseterre.
• Upgrading Fire Fighting equipment and providing additional equipment to improve the efficiency of the service in Tabernacle, Sandy Point, Cayon, Old Road and St Pauls.
• Placing greater emphasis on moulding the minds of our Primary and Secondary Students.
• Ensuring that all divisions of National Security work seamlessly and effectively.
Judicial System
Goal
The Court Systems in St Kitts and Nevis must work closely and effectively with other arms of the justice system to ensure that Law and Order are maintained at all times.
Suggested Plans
• People’s Action Movement recommends:
• Increase the number of Magistrates to handle the gross increase in petty crimes.
• Request the appointment of a second Resident High Court Judge.
• Establish Night Courts to deal with non custodial crimes, traffic violations.
• Increase the numbers of, and strengthen the position of, Court Bailiffs.
• Reform the High Court Registry with a view to computerizing all records.
• Install ‘walk through’ Metal Detectors in all Magistrate and High Courts.
• Provide Witness Protection overseas for crucial witnesses in murder cases.
• Encourage the Bar Association to play a more active and constructive role in society as part of the “war on crime”.
• Seek funding and in conjunction with the Bar Association, create a fully functioning Law Library.
• Implement a cadastral land survey and create a new Land Registry.
• Eliminate jail terms in cases of small debts.
Upgrading the Penal System
The present Penal System is no longer serving the needs of our society. Incarceration of and by itself is too limited and has been proven ineffective.
Suggested Plans
The People’s Action Movement recommends:
• Introduce the necessary Legislation to reform the Penal System.
• Introduce a Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.
• Develop and introduce a proper rehabilitation programme for drug abusers.
• Work with Religious Leaders to develop special programmes to meet the needs of prisoners.
• Revamp the penal system to allow for correctional services, rehabilitation and vocational training for inmates and a separate remand holding centre for first timers and those youth awaiting trial.
• Improve the terms and conditions of employment of Officers in the Penal System.
• Provide better work and rest accommodation for Prison Officers.
• Build a spacious modern secure Prison.
Immigration
• Enhance Immigration Services to protect our borders.
• Persons living in the Federation legitimately for an extended period of time will be eligible for citizenship on an expedited basis.
