BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, October 24, 2018 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – The presence of law enforcement personnel from the Barbados-based Regional Security System (RSS) is already having a positive impact on the crime situation in St. Kitts and Nevis, and Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris has said the law-abiding citizens of the country are pleased with the Government’s decision to solicit external assistance to reduce the incidences of crime.
“Every person who believes in law and order has welcomed the efforts of the Government,” Dr. Harris said, while adding that, “The country breathes a sigh of relief and thinks that the Government is doing the right thing in ensuring that things do not get out of hand.”
The RSS forces began arriving in the Federation on Wednesday, October 10 and have since been providing additional resources to complement the efforts of the local law enforcement agencies in their fight against crime.
Prime Minister Harris, who is also Minister of National Security, told members of the press in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Tuesday, October 23 that, after being on the ground for just about two weeks, the regional forces have definitely helped to create a greater dimension of peace and security for citizens, residents and visitors alike.
“What they are doing basically is to add to greater visibility in our streets by ensuring that the so-called ‘hotspots,’ which are well-known, are sufficiently policed and the areas are better managed so that those whose intentions are on pursuing criminal activity would appreciate that there would be consequences for them being caught,” he added.
The St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister was at the time speaking at a press conference, which concluded the Sixty-Sixth Meeting of the OECS Authority at the Beachcomber Resort in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Dr. Harris added, “They [RSS forces] have gelled well with the local law enforcement bodies, they are well accommodated, they are well satisfied and we expect to have efficacious outcomes as a result of that.”
The Prime Minister said his Team Unity Administration intends to use this time of calm to look at other measures that can be implemented “to help sustain the peace dividend that we are enjoying.”
Dr. Harris disclosed that this is not the first time the RSS forces were deployed to St. Kitts and Nevis to supplement the efforts of local law enforcement in addressing crime in the country. In fact, the Regional Security System was invited in the country under the previous administration. The record for homicides in a single year in the Federation occurred in 2011 when 35 homicides were committed in St. Kitts and Nevis.
