Youth Development and Sports Minister Kenson Casimir has urged citizens to play their part in the fight against crime while expressing concern over young people’s inability to resolve conflicts peacefully.
“I am extremely concerned about the lack of ability for individuals to resolve issues without being violent. We are also very concerned with the amount of gun ammunition on the streets,” Casimir said.
The Gros Islet MP also said he was happy with the appointment of Acting Police Commissioner Verne Garde.
Garde took up an initial six-month contract on September 6, vowing at his first news conference not to allow criminals to overrun Saint Lucia.
“I think we will all be waiting to see what will be done in terms of dealing with crime from his standpoint. But we also need all institutions to play a part in not just being reactive but proactive,” Minister Kenson Casimir told reporters on the sidelines of Tuesday’s House of Assembly sitting.
Casimir noted, however, that young people have received numerous opportunities to pursue sports.
For his part, Health Minister Moses Jn Baptiste highlighted the significant impact of violent crime and road accidents on the healthcare systems, particularly emergency rooms.
Jn Baptiste explained that health facilities are under pressure and need additional resources.
He added that there are also mental health consequences for communities and families due to violence and noted a spike in loneliness and concerns.
Jn Baptiste observed a recognition of crime as a public health issue, with numerous conferences held in the Caribbean and other regions to address it.
All violence is rooted in ignorance : which means the cure is education, so it’s beyond me why this concept is so difficult for our people to understand. You can’t straighten a tree when it’s fully grown (my farmers know what I’m talking about). Conflict resolution should be mandatory in all schools starting from age 5 and continue at all levels of education. I guarantee you if conflict resolution was taught in school after one generation St.Lucia would have one of the lowest crime rate in the world. Then again who am I kidding, if we had a low crime rate how would the lawyers, judges, etc get fed.
What do you suggest the law abiding citizens do to help the situation, because I do not see any suggestions in this press release.
Both of you guys far North far South, share the same – Violence on a daily basis – what are you gonna do about it? more Cops more & better vehicles; no Dogs? I forgot dogs don’t bite black guys? this situation will continue till the appearance of Jesus Christ in the Clouds, by then it’ll be too late. As for Jn Bap he should now be accustomed to this kind of violence in the South. Why did he agree with R.F. to discontinue the construction of the Modern Hospital in the South? that was stupid.
Casimir my boy, what’s going on
One bird two wings…
The current debauchery, immorality, and murders should be a National concern.
Economic regeneration. Then Singapore took heed of Arthur Lewis. You can not invent the wheel.
The myopic strategies of both ‘wings’ of volatile tourism and beggars investment market penetrative models selling our country’s birth right.Whilst ignoring the factor endowment of the abundance of land, agro Economic opportunities, fisheries and marine.
Another bungling strategy Youth economy with the mainstream secondary schools not teaching enterprise, entrepreneurialsim, and business planning.
One know is that there’s ‘HOPE'(ShawShank Redemption). Wresting power away from the nefariously corrupt!
The Will of The Creator is automatically enforcing this through His exalted Laws and Will. A juxtaposition and void of religion, dogma, and demagogue proclivities.
The silence of Minister of Security who is also the PM is deafening!
The Fox, which hospital that is modern, is it the new buildings and alongside the box? to me I don’t see any other old buildings there. Do you wear glasses, if not , check an eye specialist.