As law enforcement continues investigating the country's homicides, the Opposition United Workers’ Party has offered only one solution - the resignation of Prime Minister Pierre.
PM Pierre reiterates his Administration’s position on the recent uptick in retaliatory gang murders - giving the police total independence. The Prime Minister contends that police need adequate resources if they are to operate effectively and arrest the current crime scourge.
“The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has the full support of the Prime Minister to, within the confines of the law, execute the necessary tactical operations and effect the appropriate anti-crime strategies that will effectively restrict gang-related criminal activity,” Pierre has said before.
He continued, “As Minister for National Security, the Prime Minister continues to facilitate the allocation of crime-fighting resources and tools to the RSLPF at every possible opportunity.”
During an April 9th press conference, Guy Joseph said it was time to involve the ruling crop of politicians in the discussions for addressing crime on-island.
“I don’t know how we can deal with the crime situation and not bring the politicians who are responsible for the affairs of the country into play,” Joseph said.
Since the 2021 elections, the Opposition has called for the resignation of the Prime Minister. Tuesday was no different, with Joseph demanding that Pierre hand over the keys of National Security Minister to another person.
“On several occasions, we have asked the prime minister to relieve himself and give it to someone who has the time and energy to attend to these matters,” Joseph added.
Joseph also took a swipe at newly-appointed Crime Prevention Minister, Jeremaih Norbert. “Am I to conclude that the minister is failing at his job because crime is increasing?” he said.
Norbert, a former law enforcement officer, is on record defending “most Saint Lucians”, arguing that most people are good. He says gang influence has tarnished the good names of some communities.
“99% of Saint Lucians are good people with good intentions and good hearts. We see it every day. We cannot allow a few bad people to spoil our name,” he has said.
He says all stakeholders must accept and fulfil their responsibilities in crime prevention.
“You’ve seen what [the government has] done by providing resources to the police - giving them vehicles and the necessary training that they need. That is the responsibility of the government. The police have the responsibility to make maximum use of what they have. The community, too, has a responsibility. They have to play their part, in terms of families, and faith-based organisations - it has to be a holistic approach.”
Some RSLPF officers have recently graduated from skills development courses facilitated by top crime experts from the around the world.
The police have assured Saint Lucians that they will get a grip on the prevailing gang warfare that has been imported into the country.