Acting Police Commissioner Verne Garde has unveiled his promised anti-crime plan, emphasising the creation of neighbourhood policing strategies to portray the police as a part of the community.
“This will be achieved through a variety of proactive measures aimed at preventing and reducing crime in partnership with the public and other stakeholders,” Garde stated in a video on the police Facebook page.
He said the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) intends to employ a neighborhood policing crime prevention strategy built on effective engagement and consultation, with a targeted visible police presence through foot and mobile patrols and using bicycles and ATVs.
The Acting Police Commissioner explained that the focus would be on intelligence-led, problem-solving, and community policing.
“The police will work hand in glove with the public to remain informed of the issues affecting the community, maintaining a two-way conversation and remaining active within the community and partner organisations,” Garde said.
He said the police would exploit the full potential of the CCTV system not only as an investigative tool but also to gather intelligence to guide patrols and missions.
In addition, the Acting Police Commissioner revealed that jet skis would facilitate beach, bay, and seafront patrols.
Garde also mentioned employing more sophisticated communication tools, including body cameras, radios, and communication apps.
He disclosed that guns, munitions, gang offences and homicides have become four of the most prevalent issues affecting community safety and security in recent times.
According to the top cop, the issues are interrelated and should be simultaneously addressed.
“We will employ a volley of targeted missions to confront these problems. To do this effectively, we will apply a combination of intelligence-led, community-engagement and problem solving techniques specifically designed to support criminal prosecution,” Garde stated.
“The full measure of the law will be imposed to execute targeted warrants to disintegrate gangs and effect arrests,” he asserted.
Garde explained that the anti-crime plan included expanding the tentacles of the police by using allied agencies such as private security and detective firms.
He spoke of legitimising them so they could have legal powers of arrest.
“Our allied agencies form an essential arm of the national security environment and have been overlooked for many years,” Garde asserted.
As a result, he indicated that the necessary legitimacy to enable policing by them, would come through a certified regime and a ‘robust vetting system’.
Garde said this would support the police’s neighbourhood policing agenda.
GOod luck Mr. Garde. Hoping you more success where the others have failed.
Where is it .. a piece a paper with one sentence… Oh I will fix the issue.. that’s your method of comprehensive plan with zero substance and just bull**** talks
El Salvador with its population of 6.336 million people and 8,124 square miles went from the highest homicide rate to the lowest in the western hemisphere in 2 years. From 51 per 100,000 (2018) to 2.4 per 100,000 (2023). St. Lucia has 178,000 people and 238 square and the current homicide rate is 42 per 100,000 (17 times higher). El Salvador is famous for its very violent gangs. Meanwhile the government radically changed the equation. Either we have totally incompetent people in authority here or they want to see this continue. Either way not good.
We certainly can use more detective work by private entities to assist the police force who are laid back, because they get paid for just wearing their uniforms and not necessarily for the work they do when wearing them. Community policing must be carried out by no nonsense individuals who my tend to get too cozy with the criminals in the communities they are policing. The focus must be on crime prevention, detection and criminal apprehension. This new chief appears willing to decrease the carnage but must be supported by tougher penalties. Time will tell.
The police needs to establish a relationship which includes (trust) with the community.Many of your officers are reasons why the public react a certain way towards police officers. Some of your officers are acting just like criminals, so now who can the community depend on. Police officers want to act like bad man. You see it all the time so I don’t need to get into details. Respect is earned not given and some of your officers are the reason why the public don’t respect police.
An internal shake up needs to be done. So many corrupt cops on the force but you want to help solve crime. How is that possible sir? 30% of officers on that force are honest. They’re the ones who really want to be in the job while 70% don’t care, their only concern is money, women and alcohol. Gone are the days where joining the force was a privilege and honour to be in. Get rid of those bad seeds and you will see how crime will decline
Good vibes top cop 👍
The law needs to be amended as well to support this. What good is it to go through all the trouble of apprehending criminals only for them to be out the next day for a small sum of cash or “suitable surety” ?
New farmer. Same bad apples. No difference.
1 week in office and u got 4 homicides, nice plan well done .
As the economy contracts the crimes become more frequent
Please listen too Countryman’s last 2 YouTube videos, Jamaica first country first…Bc tings out of control here in Lucia….
Reducing the scourge of crime should be the responsibility of all of us. One thing which bothers, however, is that many of the homicide victims of gun violence were not known to be involved in anything nefarious, according to family members.
But as for me, I will always have hopes I will praise you more and more..
My mouth will tell of your righteousness of your Salvation all day long, though I know not its measures..
I will come and proclame your mighty acts,O Souverain LORD ;I proclame your righteousness yours alone..
Since my youth,O God, you have thaught me and to this day ❗‼️