Every life is precious, crime and violence will not be tolerated: PM Terrance Drew

Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis: Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrance Drew addressed the nation and promised to stand on his commitment towards curbing the crime and violence in the country. He stated that every life is precious and he cannot tolerate any violence in the country, aimed to prioritize the safety and security of the country.

During his address, the Prime Minister extended condolences to the families of lost souls who have become a victim of the homicides and promised his administration would do everything to bring justice to them. He stated that the National Security Council he led has not become numb yet.

He stated that they conduct meetings weekly in order to ensure that strong policies are created to sustain St Kitts and Nevis. While shedding light on the National Security Council, PM Drew stated that it includes the heads of all national security agencies in the Federation.

He further asserted that as a result of the carefully crafted policies of this council, St Kitts and Nevis have seen a rate of 50% detection and homicides for the year which is an increase over the last year. He stated that this is admirable, but for him it is not good enough. Therefore, he added that they should not only detect, charge, and prosecute the destructive persons involving criminal activities, but will also have to prevent those actions.

The Prime Minister also mentioned the gang problem in the society and stated that this societal ill reflected throughout the region has been serious for the island nation for at least two decades now. He further added that the condition has worsened more because of the introduction of money into the equation.

PM Drew also shed light on the Ill Advice Peace Program and stated that the criminals are using significant amounts of money to buy influence and dangerous sophisticated weapons in order to carry out heinous acts.

While highlighting the focus of the National Security Council meeting, PM Drew noted that the council has agreed to a drastic change in suppression activities. He stated now the authorities will hold constant vehicular checks and searches in order to ensure the protection of the country. Along with that, he also mentioned about the constant searches of those homes of the persons who are involved in criminal activities.

He stated that Illegal tents and cars would be removed, and they would be completely relentless in their suppression of criminal activities. He added that these are the measures that are necessary to not only locate the persons involving destructive criminal activities, but also to remove their firearms and weapons off the streets.

Therefore, the Prime Minister, Dr Terrance Drew made a appeal to the general public for their patience, understanding, and cooperation so that they can do what is necessary to arrest the scourge of gangsterism and violent crime. He also noted that the people those are involved in criminal activities can no feel comfortable in their homes, in their gathering spots, now moving around in the federation.

“I, therefore, implore all persons involved in gangs and criminal activity to change their lives and change now. If not, we will find you, we will prosecute you, we will jail you,” noted Dr Terrance Drew.

The Prime Minister also pledged to build out the CCTV Infrastructure and noted that there would soon be an expansion of the evidence-gathering capabilities in order to investigate and charge those accused of crimes. The leader of the nation also mentioned that they have increased the National Security budget from $74.6 million in 2023 to $79.3 million dollars in 2024. He stated that this additional budgetary allocation has allowed them to purchase more vehicles for mobile patrol of the police force to procure drones leading to the imminent establishment of a drone unit for the surveillance purposes, where they can establish a canine unit to detect illegal drugs, firearms and ammunition.

He also shared about inviting the national consultation on crime, all political organizations, and all civil society organizations to come to the table to provide their ideas and plans for St Kitts and Nevis to end this decades-long scourge of violent crime.

“This is my pledge. I say we can do this. We will do this. We all have a role to play. Let’s change course, and we direct all our efforts to create in the best St Kitts and Nevis we can,” noted Dr Terrance Drew.