The recent rise in violent crime in Saint Lucia has raised concerns about its impact on locals and visitors alike. Tourism is the island’s main economic driver, but some Saint Lucians have shared their concerns about safety on social media and in public discussions, raising questions about how visitors can feel secure.
Tourism Minister Dr Ernest Hilaire addressed this issue at the latest pre-cabinet press briefing. He told journalists he is not a criminologist and that crime statistics need further review, but early reports show that most crimes occur outside tourist areas.
“I think there is a very clear differentiation between the types of crimes that take place. I think our visitors congregate in spaces that are not normally where crime takes place every day,” he said. “I noticed the last wave we’ve had has been domestic violence. I don’t know that in the tourist areas and the skills occupied by our visitors, you’ve seen any upsurge in crime.”
Now in his second term leading Saint Lucia’s tourism sector, the Minister praised the return of the Rangers Unit as a way to help protect visitors during the current crime wave.
“We have a lot more security out in the communities and in the spaces, normally where visitors would be,” he said. “And I think there has to be a proper analysis by the experts to tell us whether or not the increase in crime is gun-related, whether it’s more domestic violence and the nature of the crime we are seeing in Saint Lucia, but for now, there is absolutely no threat to our visitors. There is no report of visitors feeling unsafe in Saint Lucia.”
Both Hilaire and Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre have warned against sensationalising crime in public, saying it could harm the island’s reputation internationally.
