Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has told a Caribbean Community (CARICOM) forum that Saint Lucia is currently averaging two homicides a week.
Pierre, responsible for National Security, spoke at the Regional Symposium: Violence as a Public Health Issue – The Crime Challenge, in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on Monday.
He said Saint Lucia’s experience demands urgent new approaches to its violent crime problem.
“Our homicide rate jumped from a total of 30 in 2016, to 60 in 2017, 74 in 2021, 76 in 2022, and to date 27 for 2023. The latest figure means that we are currently averaging two homicides per week,” Pierre disclosed.
He said most homicides were firearm-related and involved young people as victims and perpetrators.
“There must be a halt to this,” Pierre declared.
He stated that the violence’s scale and barbarity in Vieux Fort over one weekend were unparalleled in Saint Lucia’s history.
“What is particularly concerning about the situation is that while the homicides are gang-related, the perpetrators have seemingly targeted family members of their perceived foes, raising their criminality to a new and different level,” Pierre observed.
He explained that the crime was occurring in the context of various policies and laws in place to combat violent crime.
In this regard, the Castries East MP outlined several existing measures, including the Anti-Gang Act, the Firearms Act, and the Suppression of Escalated Crime (Police Powers) Act.
However, the Saint Lucia Prime Minister noted that the crime situation calls for more than a law enforcement response, but one that is comprehensive and multidimensional that will seek to find and eradicate the roots of ‘this cancerous violence’.
” While we continue to provide unprecedented resources to our police force, it has become clear that only a multi-disciplinary, proactive, and evidence-based approach can bring about a sustainable abatement of crime and anti-social behaviour in our country,” Pierre said.
In addition, he highlighted ‘the crucial matter’ of diverting young people away from crime.
And Pierre noted that his administration had implemented a ‘basket of initiatives’, including the Youth Economy, to drive this.
The Saint Lucia Prime Minister welcomed the regional Crime Symposium, explaining that his country is in the early stages of implementing social and crime suppression programmes that can provide an avenue for resolution of the crime situation.
WE SHOULDN’T HAVE ANY……
You really Not ashamed uh smh
Pierre , Do the Math – the projected number should be 104.
Let us wait and see if you can work in conjunction with the criminals to meet the target
Yes ,,you should answer why !! Why so many killing? Are you proud or simple can’t do your job that you promise we st.lucian people?.we believe in you if not your government will fall…we all love our beautiful st.lucia. one love. Jah bless st.lucia..
These politician we have as leaders will eat and shit in the same pot they eat from. PJP will never give up that position because he see ways and means to swindle the voters pocket. Up on his return he will say his country people have good confidence in him.
Do we really need to hear this shit from this guy mouth. Isn’t he representative for 20+ years for his are where he foster the idea of kids making kids. Bleek hope for his constituents causing a spiral of crime.
@ pro I see your point
Minister of National Security do your thing Boss St Lucia is not Mayville anymore and it’s been that way before you assume this post The task of doing both duties must be overwhelming but you are handling yourself well. Don’t worry about badminds back here looking for photo ups with DEFUNCT CELEBRITY going to garrison in T shirt “like I am down with it” to score political points after the fact when they should have their ugly faces a month ago, poor people smarter than them anyway they know who has been there for them.