BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - WITHIN the next seven to 10 days the St. Kitts Opposition People’s Action Movement (PAM) Party is expected to deliver an “aggressive plan” to fight crime and violence to the federal government.
In January of this year, PAM briefly outlined its strategies to address crime in the short, medium and long terms within the Federation of St. Kitts-Nevis.
Among the ideas outlined in that plan was the depoliticisation of the police force, better equipping of security officers and the establishment of a “National Youth Programme” that would require every student to attend “some institution of discipline”, such as the Boys Brigade, Girls Guides or the Police Boys Club.
Speaking this morning at a PAM press conference, Political Leader Lindsay Grant said it was time for his party to present its plan again, this time to the federal government.
“When we present it again to the media in seven to 10 days, we are also going to present our plan officially to the government, because the government appears to be sleeping at the wheel. The second murder in three days and we have not heard anything at all from this government about the murders.
“Twelve so far for the year and not a single word from the government about it. This has to be cause for serious concern, and we are saying that the government appears to be bankrupt of ideas,” Grant said.
PAM’s Leader said that his party did not view crime as a political issue, and that is why they have decided to present their strategies for the government to implement.
He noted that if the plan were to be enacted, it would require the government to route funds away from less pressing projects.
“We said [previously] that the government as a first measure needs to redirect resources. If crime is your number one problem, and health, for example, is not a major priority for the government, you take some money out of health and you put it in crime.
“It is a serious problem. We are having these murders almost weekly or fortnightly, yet we do not see any significant attempt by the government to ensure that they curtail the problem,” he stated.
While the decision to present the party’s plan against crime to their political rival Labour Party would be viewed as a move toward bipartisan cooperation to stamp out crime and violence, Grant still had harsh words for Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil Douglas.
“Everybody in St. Kitts, whether you are PAM or Labour, rich or poor, will tell you that we have a problem with gun violence in this country. I am not pointing my finger to say who is to blame. We leave that behind, and say that the government is there and responsible, and they must fix the problem.
“It is irresponsible for our Prime Minister however, who holds the position of Minister of National Security, to say that he will take no responsibility and that water will run off of his back like it runs off of a duck’s back.
“That is one of the most irresponsible statements a Prime Minister can make in a time of, what I would term, ‘national catastrophe,’” Grant said.
