Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 25, 2020 (RSCNPF): Commissioner of Police Hilroy Brandy is crediting the decrease in crime for the year so far to improvements in community relations and detection.
The Federation recorded a decrease in major crimes even prior to the implementation of the State of Emergency. Crime was down by just over 30 percent in the first quarter when compared to 2019. From the start of the State of Emergency to the end of April, it dropped by a further 70 percent.
During his New Year’s Celebration address to the rank and file of the Force, the Commissioner indicated that the focus for the organisation this year would be to engage and reassure communities by improving the Force’s service. In light of this, Commissioner Brandy explained during a recent interview, that a number of factors have led to the success of their crime strategy to date.
“We cannot Police a community without knowing the community. This initiative is meant to get us to know the areas we serve. When you look at the presence of Officers in the community, we are seeing more of that. Not just on patrols, but going house to house, engaging residents, and sharing crime prevention tips. We have different departments that are conducting their community outreach efforts differently, but the important thing is that they are out there in the community,” he said.
“We have also made some changes to the radio programme which has always been a great initiative. We now see where there is a rebroadcast on television weekly in addition to when it is aired live on radio and I want to thank ZIZ and our sponsor, the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank for partnering with us in this area. We are now reaching a wider audience and getting even greater feedback,” Commissioner Brandy said.
“I must also thank the hosts of the programme, Inspector Alrick Edwards, Sergeant Treveron Richards, and particularly Inspector James Francis who serves as an anchor on the show having been there from its inception. Additionally, I commend the staff of the Public Relations Office who is responsible for all the behind the scenes work associated with the radio show.”
The Commissioner also noted that there have been improvements in the Forensic Department which have led to more cases being solved.
“Experience has taught me that in order for us to reduce crime we have to learn to improve our detection and we are working towards that. Our detection rate has gone up over the past two years which has led to several offenders, including repeat offenders, ending up behind bars,” the Commissioner disclosed.
