Speaking at the opening of the new Anse La Raye Fire Station, Pierre criticized what he described as a “disturbing pattern” of misinformation targeting essential public services, including firefighters, police officers, nurses, and doctors, and warned that such attacks erode confidence in the very institutions tasked with protecting citizens.

The Saint Lucian leader spoke in the context of UWP’s Dominic Fedee’s claims that an ambulance and fire appliance at the West Cost Fire Station was borrowed from the Soufriere Fire Station to facilitate the opening of the new facility.

“Sometimes it really baffles me why we make things so difficult,” Pierre said. “I see absolutely no reason why people must be fighting against public facilities that serve people. When a fire catches anywhere, these brave men and women do not ask whether the person is Labour, UWP, or independent. They go out to save lives.”

Pierre condemned political figures who have claimed falsely that the new fire station is not located in Anse La Raye or that essential services like the St. Jude Hospital are inadequate or inactive.

“Why must people deliberately propagandize and misinform?” the Prime Minister asked. “Why must we create such an atmosphere of disharmony and mistrust in this country simply because we want votes?”

He warned that these attacks do not harm him personally but instead jeopardize the credibility of frontline officers who serve without political bias.

“When you put mistrust in the firemen and firewomen, when you create mistrust in the doctors and nurses, when you create mistrust in the police, you are trying to build a society where there is no trust , all because you want political advantage,” Pierre said.

Pierre reminded the public that political office is not permanent, but the services provided by first responders are.

“My job is a temporary job. But these men and women will still be here next week, next month, next year,” he said. “So why use them to fuel political discord?”

He urged police officers and other public servants to continue performing their duties fairly and impartially, cautioning them not to allow political influence to shape how they treat colleagues or citizens.

The Prime Minister laid out a detailed list of his administration’s investments in public safety, asserting that no other government has supported the police and fire services as extensively as the current one. He reminded the nation that under his leadership, Saint Lucia has seen the highest number of police recruits in recent history, strengthening manpower at a time when security demands are rising.

He noted that over a quarter-billion dollars has been invested in police IT and modernization, transforming outdated systems into a modern security infrastructure. The Prime Minister also highlighted the $40 million police headquarters now nearing completion, along with new police facilities under construction and major renovations to existing stations across the island.

In addition, he emphasized the upcoming national radar system, designed to strengthen border security and improve surveillance capabilities. Officers themselves have not been forgotten, the administration approved the highest allowances ever granted, significantly improving police welfare. He also reminded citizens that it is the SLP, across multiple administrations, that has delivered multiple new fire stations island-wide, reinforcing emergency response capacity and community safety.

“These are facts that cannot be disputed,” Pierre said. “We have invested more in the police, the fire service, and emergency response than any government before us.”