‘Dark trend’ of murders will be stopped—says SKN top cop
There will be an increased police presence across St Kitts and Nevis as part of efforts to stem the country’s rising violent crime rate.
Police Commissioner James Sutton said vacation and personal leave of all members of the Royal St Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) had been postponed to boost manpower.
Former law enforcement personnel will also be enlisted to serve for 90 days to boost peacekeeping efforts.
Sutton is confident in his officers’ abilities to face the federation’s criminal element head-on.
“This dark trend will be stopped, and the misinformed individuals, who perpetrated it, will be brought to justice,” Sutton commented at a press conference today.
“Criminal activity must not be allowed to find haven within the fabric of our society”.
The commissioner highlighted that the upsurge in murders began in the second quarter of 2023 and came after the country’s crime rate dropped over 15 months.
St Kitts and Nevis has recorded 16 murders for 2023, which is five more than the 2022 homicide toll.
Police also recovered 20 illegal firearms in 2023, four more than what was recovered last year.
To stem the flow of illegal firearms and ammunition, police have acquired a patrol vessel to patrol the seas.
Sutton stated RSCNPF and the Customs Department are also working together to seize material that could be used to build “ghost guns”, which are unserialised and untraceable firearms.
RSCNPF has also sought international and regional assistance in their crime fight.
US national security specialist Dr Edwin Powell will provide training to local cops.
Powell was in the country just in April to provide executive leadership and community policing training.
The top cop also revealed that informants would receive up to EC$25,000 for evidence that leads to the arrest and conviction of criminals.
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