While the Prime Minister says crime-fighting is the jurisdiction of law enforcement, community and non-governmental organisations need to come together to help alleviate many of the social issues which lead to crime.

The Prime Minister says on this front, that his administration is on the ball.

“Crime fighting strategies are in the domain of the police. What we will do next week [is] give them some more vehicles. The week after - month after - they're going to have some more recruits,” Pierre said, underscoring that he will not interfere with the operations of the law enforcement officials.

“Then soon from that, they're going to be getting some more protective gear. That's my job. My job is to give them the resources and discuss how they are going to help combat crime. I am in no position to opine on crime as it relates to operational aspects.”

He adds that his administration will also focus on social programmes. The Prime Minister alluded to new projects being spearheaded by the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF) which are aimed at getting youth off the streets.

“Next week, the SSDF, they are going to launch a program where there is going to be dialogue and economic activity for young people who have been and have had issues with the law. We funded that.”

ACT: Alliance for Community Transformation has been funded and organised by the government of Saint Lucia and was launched on Tuesday to intervene in social development.

In the upcoming budget, he says, allocations will be made for increased strengthened social programmes.

“The government has funded that. In our budget, we're going to put in more money for crime prevention strategies for people who can, NGOs who can work with these groups. That's what we do.”