St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew hosted the National Consultation on Crime and Violence in partnership with the Nevis Island Administration.
The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis hosted the National Consultation on Crime and Violence on the 4th of October at the Malcolm Guishard Recreational Park. The event was hosted in partnership with the Nevis Island Administration (NIA). Members from different religious institutions, social clubs, sports associations, and political parties were gathered to discuss the safety and security of the citizens.
The consultation event was also attended by Isalean Phillip, Co-Chair of the Taskforce on Citizen Security, Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis, and NIA Cabinet members. Professor of Public Health & Policy at Windsor University, Jeanita Richardson, shared a presentation on ‘Understanding Violence and Crime as a Public Health Issue’ while addressing the essential issues. United States Agency for International Development (USAID) presented a Report on Criminal Dynamics Study.
The event addressed the intervention methods that are required to disrupt the chain of violence. Law and order cannot be the only force to stop the violence and crime. Different forms of violence need different approaches to reduce it. Violence and crimes together affect the mental and physical state of victims and their families. The government encouraged every member to make a commitment and work in a coordinated manner to bring down the crimes and violence.
Law enforcement officers, stakeholders, political parties, and senior members of other social clubs are advised to develop several effective strategies to address the violence. Several forms of violence, such as domestic violence and youth violence, are to be intervened by strict actions and policy making. On August 4, 2024, the PM said that the government along with a few senior leaders, had already initiated the discussions regarding the issues.
The Prime Minister assured the nation through a broadcast that the government will host a National Consultation in St. Kitts and Nevis. He assured the families of victims to give them justice and look after the increasing crimes in the country. The Prime Minister also said that, under his administration, he will not let the violence go unanswered.
Previously, the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Terrance Drew, in a radio and television broadcast, addressed the nation, saying, “So far this year, 19 people have been murdered and that over the past five days, three people were killed to gun violence. The Twin Island Federation cannot tolerate the willful violence that has resulted in the unacceptable number of homicides over the past two decades, and particularly the loss of life over the past few days and months.”
