COP calls for collaboration in crime fight
By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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Commissioner of Police Austin Williams
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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force has committed itself to sustaining the public’s confidence in the organisation with the underlying aim of effecting positive change in the crime situation that exists in the Federation.
Speaking with SKNVibes, Commissioner of Police Austin Williams said in keeping with the force’s belief in the importance of a healthy police/public relationship, plans are in effect for the development of a comprehensive strategy with the aim of sustaining the public’s confidence in police.
“We will continue our corroboration with other security agencies in our crime-fighting initiatives and the continued enhancement of our policing strategies. We will continue with our public/community intervention strategies to supplement our basic law-enforcement strategies as our methodology for achieving crime reduction. We intend to develop a comprehensive plan to sustain public confidence in the security forces. Our pledge is to continue to work closely with the community to deliver a professional and high quality policing service.”
The ‘Top Cop’ said the reality of the matter is that 23 murders were committed last year, most of which were perpetrated through the use of firearms. While the force is trying as best it can to deal with the problem, Commissioner Williams has reminded that the crime fight calls for a combined effort and encouraged persons to continue cooperating with the police. ~~Adz:Right~~
“The murder rate in 2008 is serious cause for concern. One murder is one too many. Illegal guns are our problems. We need to stop the flow! We call on the illegal importers to stop this madness. I call on all to unite our efforts in combating crime. I wish to remind everyone that it is your responsibility to report crime and criminal activity. I urge you not to wait until someone close to you becomes a victim to be forthcoming but to make your contribution early to prevent someone close to you from becoming a victim. If you see something, say something. So, we encourage the general public to continue to cooperate with the police. There must be somebody in the police force who you can talk to.”
With regard to the removal of firearms from the streets of the Federation, COP Williams told SKNVibes, “Plans and strategies are in place”, but he reemphasised the invaluable role of the public in the prevention of and solving crimes.
“We are calling on everyone to give the police information they might have regarding persons with firearms and where they are hidden because, generally, they don’t walk around with their firearms with them. But they do have them and they have them hidden, and whenever the devil strikes them they do what they think they have to do and go back into society. Some people would know about this and so we call on them to pass over whatever information they would have concerning those crimes.”
Simple, yet profound, advice was given by the Commissioner to those individuals who are intent on settling their differences with others through illegal means.
“I am asking them to stop the madness. It’s time to stop the madness. They must put down the guns and find a better way to resolve their conflicts. Just walk away from the gangs; it’s as simple as that. Find something meaningful to do with your lives.”
