The meeting, held against a backdrop of rising optimism for the area’s tourism potential, aimed to reassure residents and assess the effectiveness of recent security interventions.

Commissioner Garde acknowledged that while Marigot had faced issues related to harassment and theft in the past, the situation has improved significantly.

“Most of the reports that were coming out of the Marigot community were centred around harassment. We had a few incidents of theft and robberies, but that has gone down significantly over the last three months,” he said.

The Police Commissioner outlined several measures taken to enhance security, including the deployment of 15 new officers and two supervisors to the Marigot Police Station. These reinforcements are also responsible for nearby areas such as Anse La Raye and Canaries.

“We have supported them with the Rangers, a maritime approach, and our Marine Intelligence and Investigative Unit, which is actively contributing to crime reduction in this zone,” he added.

The General Manager of Zoëtry Resorts, Lester Scott, welcomed the update and praised the authorities for their responsiveness.

“The meeting today was very positive. The Commissioner was here four months ago, and it’s good to see that he is following through on the commitments he made. We’re excited about the developments already taking place and what’s coming next,” he said.

He also highlighted Minister Hilaire’s pledge to support ongoing upgrades to the Marigot area, noting that improvements to infrastructure will benefit both locals and the tourism sector.

Hilaire, who is also the parliamentary representative for Castries South, reinforced Marigot’s significance as a key tourism hub: “Marigot is one of the iconic tourism locations in Saint Lucia. There was a previous meeting with the police high command due to the rising incidence of crime, and citizen safety was a major concern. The police had undertaken to do certain things, and this follow-up meeting was an opportunity to assess the progress made and plan for the future.”

Officials say they are committed to ensuring that Marigot remains not only a scenic destination but also a secure and welcoming environment for both residents and visitors.