Grant commends police on robbery suspects’ arrest

Call on all citizens, residents to put aside party colours and fight crime

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – LEADER of the People’s Action Movement, Linsday Grant lauded the local police force for the swift manner in which its members arrested five suspects in the robbery of 17 tourists along the road leading to the world renowned Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park on November 14, 2010.

In an address to the nation, aired on WINN FM yesterday morning (Dec. 1), Grant offered congratulations to the hard-working officers, noting it is only fair to confer well-deserved praise on those who have to perform their duties without much needed resources and under difficult circumstances.

“It is undoubted that this particular case is above and beyond the scores of other robberies that have happened this year alone, because of the international attention it has garnered and the serious consequences that it will have for our entire economy. As such, it is proper that extra effort should be exerted in this instance. However, I am certain that this performance gives hope to hundreds of local victims who are waiting for justice even long after losing the hope of recovering their property or after injury,” Grant said.

Grant noted that the police force has shown what could be achieved when it receives the public and government’s support they so desperately need, and how much it behooves every citizen and resident to offer this support. He said he is looking forward to an expedited and successful conclusion to this matter. 

The main opposition’s leader encouraged police officers to continue to serve and protect as best they could under the circumstances and gave the assurance that they have the support of the majority in the Federation in their too often thankless and difficult job.

He called on all citizens and residents to work together and focus on the victims of crime; adding that everyone is a potential victim and they should put aside party colours.

“We all should put aside our party colours Crime has no party, crime has no class, crime bears no name tag. It can affect the rich. It can affect the poor, the police, teachers, vendors, businesspersons, students, other public servants, the man cleaning the drains and the one holding public office, as well as our visitors as we have just seen.

“I move with much concern, the piecemeal approach that this government seems to or has been applying to the present crime issue. Finding ways to bring the country together as one and having an honest and respectful dialogue with the islands’ youth and a large cross section of our society is the only way that St. Kitts and Nevis will be able to put a halt to the escalating crime situation.”

Grant said the young people must be given the opportunity to voice their frustration, as well as the thousands of other citizens who continue to live a life of abject poverty in this country.

He said no one political party could solve the crime situation in St. Kitts and Nevis. Therefore, the time has come “for us to be brutally honest with our citizens and our residents. We therefore call for a symposium on crime as a first step towards a collective approach to dealing with a serious matter”.

Grant explained that the collective approach should include, but not limited to, government officials, the police, the judiciary, all political parties, trade unions, the Bar Association, teachers, youth organisations, prison officials, taxi and tour operators, NGOs and also the Diaspora.

He declared that the PAM is in the process of writing to the government on this matter, and noted that the administration must swiftly move forward to seriously consider and implement the his party’s 16-point Crime Fighting Plan that they first presented in 2001 and followed up with an updated and revised version, which they presented earlier this year.

“I also call on the government to seriously consider and implement my party’s National Crime Strategy, which was developed in collaboration with a wide representation of stakeholders, and was again presented to the government earlier this year.

“The PAM 16-point Crime Plan and National Strategy against crime clearly outline the important role that each sector, including the church, the media, the school, Non-Governmental Organisations, the police and every citizen and resident should play in maintaining the peace and stability of the country and reducing crime.”

Grant made an appeal to the government to “put people back to work throughout the country and to create more opportunities for them to be self-sufficient, as they struggle through these tough economic times”.

Grant stressed that the government must review the decision to implement VAT at, what he called, this tough, grave and dire economic juncture in the country’s development.

“As the IMF Director’s Report stated, the government needs to reduce unnecessary spending and drastically improve or totally change their fiscal policies and practices in order to improve the economic state of affairs, and thus provide the security forces with the necessary resources to effectively fight crime and also to fully implement any crime strategy that is proposed and considered,” he added.

He said that the government could not underestimate the fact that while a few are reaping significant benefits from it, many people throughout the Federation are frustrated and desperate as a result of the current economic situation in the country and must be given all the necessary support possible. He stressed that the government must act swiftly before this particular situation gets worse.
 
Grant said his party is calling on all citizens to remain calm but focused, and also on the leaders to act responsibly.

“We call on the churches to pray and the judiciary and the police to remain committed and inspired to fight crime; to deliver justice and uphold law and order despite the serious lack of resources and government will, support and attention. We call on parents and society to help mould the minds of the youth. And we call on the youth to be kind, patient and find alternatives ways to resolve disputes.

“We stress that a hundred-plus murders in four years, or 48 in the past 18 months, is unacceptable in a small nation like ours. We also repeat that the extremely high percentage of unsolved murders committed is also greatly unacceptable.”

Grant said his party joins the nation in condemning all acts of violence and it remains steadfast and committed to working with all in the best interest, safety and well-being of everyone in the Federation.