BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – “I say to you, we are not at war with another hostile nation but we are at war against the social ills that have engulfed our country over the past few years, and in particular over the past few months…”
These are the words of Prime Minister of the Federation. Dr. the Honourable Denzil L. Douglas, uttered yesterday (Sept 20) during his post-ceremonial parade speech, delivered at Camp Springfield.
Addressing both the armed and unarmed units which participated in the parade, Dr. Douglas explained that the Federation, as the war against crime and violence wages on, with particular focus on gun and drug-related acts of criminality.
He commended the members of the Federation’s security forces for the work they have done thus far in the fight against crime but implored the officers not to relent and continue putting their shoulders to the plough as the nation seeks to eradicate these social ills.
“I want to commend our security forces in their joint patrols…as they, night after night, day after day, hour after hour, continue to ensure that our people are safe, our families are safe…here in St. Kitts and Nevis….We continue to wage war on crime in every form, especially crimes perpetuated as a result of increase in drug activities, using our territory as trans shipment points or using our citizens to become more and more involved in this international drug trade; whether by way of use or also experiencing the harmful effects that this is having on our individual families and on the nation as a family unit…
“Of course, we also have declared war on gun crime and gun violence here in St. Kitts and Nevis. We continue to call upon our security forces to join with your government and with the people of St. Kitts and Nevis to ensure that we eradicate gun violence, gun crimes, the homicides in particular which we have experienced over the last few years and which we are no longer tolerating here in St. Kitts and Nevis…There must be no letting up now!”
The Federation’s political leader also spoke to the unarmed forces which consisted of the St. Kitts Nevis Fire and Rescue Services Department, the Pathfinders, the Boys Brigade, the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, Girls Brigade and the Brownies. He said, they too, have a distinct and very import role to play in the process eradicating crime.
“And those who are…of the unarmed units, you too have a responsibility. You have a responsibility to ensure that in your homes, in your communities, you speak out at all times and ensure that you do your part in preserving the security and safety and the peace of St. Kitts and Nevis.”
