St Lucia to be benefitted from CARICOM’s Gun Crime Intelligence Unit

St Lucia: Caribbean nations, including St Lucia, has been dealing with increased gun-related crimes. Now, in a major development, the countries have decided to work together to tackle the common problem.

During the recently held 33rd Intersessional CARICOM Heads of Government summit in Belize, Prime Minister Philip J Pierre and his team stood in favour of the decision that major regional and international partners are significant to win this battle against the Transnational Organized Crime.

CARICOM Heads has now decided to launch a regional “Gun Crimes Intelligence Unit.” This unit would function as a warning system and a support mechanism for national firearms investigations.

Expectedly, the regional Gun Crime Intelligence Unit will assist the St Lucian government at the CARICOM level.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Pierre has been calling for joint local responses to this increase in gun crimes at home. PM has also urged the St Lucians for cooperation and assistance with and for the police.

He asked for “a collective response involving the police and the public”. He further stated to avoid playing the blame game in what should be a national effort in the fight against crime.

PM further reassured the public and stated that Prime Minister Pierre has been assisting its police by providing more vehicles, training and upgrading the Forensic Lab.

On March 1, 2022, the St Lucian government handed over eleven (11) vehicles to the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force to assist citizen security.

“I want you to take this handover, this $1.06 million that the Government has spent not a favour; it’s the Government’s commitment to you so that you, in turn, could improve the conditions; can improve the quality of life in this country and the quality of life depends on how safe people are,” Prime Minister mentioned.