Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has promised that his administration will continue implementing measures to ensure Saint Lucia’s stability and security.
“We will continue to implement the strategies that we have presented to uphold law and order and to legally eliminate threats to the stability and security of Saint Lucia’s peace-loving communities,” Pierre declared.
The promise came on Friday, one day after the government introduced the Suppression of Escalated Crime (Police Powers) Bill in the Lower House of Parliament, in response to a deadly gun violence spike in Vieux Fort.
The Bill aims to provide the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force with expanded powers to respond to areas where crime has escalated.
Pierre, responsible for National Security, said the legal measure establishes a framework to preserve public order, public safety, and economic stability in Saint Lucia.
He wrote on Facebook that it authorises the National Security Minister, on the advice of the Commissioner of Police, to designate an area affected by high crime rates as an escalated crime area.
The Bill received unanimous support from government legislators, went through the Committee stage with amendments and the lower house passed it.
Summary convictions for offences made under the Police Powers Bill attract fines not exceeding XCD 50, 000 or imprisonment terms not exceeding 15 years or both.
Convictions on indictment for offences under the Police Powers Act attract prison terms not exceeding 25 years.
Good vibes Mr. PM. So far, I applaud you and the initiatives you have implemented. However, the judiciary needs to put it’s act together. The stiffest penalty commensurate to the crime needs to be handed down.
The Crow I am betting that it will not take 7 days before we have another murder. A bill that will resolve zero. In case we haven’t realise. Police is for After The Crime. The PM has said or done Nothing towards Preventing the Crime. 2 months in and 20+ murders. Come On. What’s our response. To gv Police powers for after escalated gun violence has happened read and understand carefully. After it has happened. This is what was supported unanimously. Choops Tan.
It is all good and well to see the situation in Vfort is under control in the presence of the RSS. Those individuals will be there short term and will be gone just like the cameras covering the area and the crime scene. Once they are gone and things are back to normal the criminals are still out there. I have heard of arrest but no charges. This means the threats will be back or are still lurking around.
We need some long term strategies not just for Vfort but national approach. One more crime will just be too many. We cannot afford all these violence around the country while some wants to normalize it by saying, they are just killing themselves. This sounds just ridiculous. Philip you cannot rest until you have this under control. I do not expect you to stop the criminals but you should be ahead of them at all times. Do not show up after the fact. The approach should be proactive – get a head of them. They use all these technologies are cell phones. You can amend the law to intercept those conversations so you always know their next move. They might have groups where they communicate – have your policemen personate a member so they can gather intelligence. There are so much which can be done to be proactive on those criminals. I am just scared this war in Vfort is not over knowing the guys did not arrested and Charged – they are still out there lurking. They are waiting to strike again.