Tourism Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire is strongly supporting the initiative to tackle the alarming rise in crime against both visitors and locals in the Rodney Bay area. The government is fully committed to providing the necessary assistance for this endeavor.
Last weekend, public and private sector workers converged for an extensive cleanup of the Rodney Bay strip, a proactive measure to deter criminal activity in the area.
This initiative was launched after the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA) wrote to the Police Commissioner about the severe consequences of these crimes targeting visitors. Spearheaded by the SLHTA, the cleanup received robust support from the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), the St Lucia Fire Services, the Gros Islet Town Council, and local business owners and staff members in the Rodney Bay area.
SLHTA’s CEO, Noorani Azeez, initiated crucial discussions with various stakeholders, including the RSLPF, the Fire Service, the Chamber of Commerce, the Manufacturers Association, the Saint Lucia Villa Association, and the Rodney Bay Homeowners Association, emphasizing the detrimental impact of these “rogue crimes” on local businesses and economic activity.
“We are acutely aware of the situation, and our involvement has been substantial. Following in-depth discussions, the private sector has decisively taken the lead to implement necessary remedial measures,” Dr. Hilaire stated at a media briefing on Monday.
To address the authorities’ concerns about the spike in crimes against visitors reported in Rodney Bay, particularly along the strip and Flamboyant Drive, last Friday’s cleanup involved de-bushing and beautification of the area.
GITC staffers played a crucial role in identifying areas in need of attention, working collaboratively with the Fire Department, while adjacent businesses provided financial backing for the initiative.
“These harassments represent a significant issue, and we are in continuous dialogue with the police,” the Tourism Minister added. “The Rangers Unit is being established and is set to undergo training. We maintain a strong partnership with the SLHTA.”
Dr. Hilaire emphasized that the SLHTA communicated its plans to the government, fostering collaboration and cooperation with various agencies, and he pledged ongoing encouragement for the SLHTA and private sector stakeholders to step up their efforts.
He acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the SLHTA and other private-sector players supporting this initiative, stating, “While it is private-sector led, the government fully backs this initiative and will provide whatever resources and support are necessary.”
Notably, Dr. Hilaire asserted, “I see this as a model project that can be replicated in other regions of the country, demonstrating that the private sector can take a vested interest in local activities and assume responsibility.”
With ongoing developments at the Rodney Bay City Centre , the minister confirmed that once this business complex is completed, the focus will shift to clearing and cleaning the surrounding areas. Following the government’s halt of previous works due to unresolved contractual issues, the pavement and adjacent areas have been neglected.
“We have finalized a Memorandum of Understanding with the new resort at Reduit Beach to enhance and maintain the strip from the Castries-Gros Islet Highway to the end of the Rodney Bay strip,” the minister stated.
He continued, “Ilia Resorts at Mt. Pimard will also play a key role in upgrading the area. We have engaged the two largest stakeholders in the region to collaborate with the government.”
However, Dr. Hilaire emphasized that authorities must wait for the completion of extensive construction in the area. He noted that approximately 1,500 rooms are being developed at Mt. Pimard, with an additional 1,000 rooms from hotels involved in the beach construction project.
“There will undoubtedly be significant construction activities and job creation,” Dr. Hilaire affirmed. “We have committed to upgrading that area and will work with the developers of the Rodney Bay City Centre to enhance the stretch from adjacent to the JQ Mall to the Rodney Bay Marina (IGY).”
In the long term, he assured, “There will be a substantial upgrade of the entire area.”
Police have reported a concerning uptick in criminal incidents involving visitors between December 2024 and January 2025, necessitating strategic interventions to eliminate criminal activity in the area.
Superintendent of Police Stephen Victorin, in charge of the northern division, was present at the scene of the cleanup campaign and stressed the importance of this proactive approach.
He identified three critical components of crime: location, a victim, and a motivated offender. By removing one of these aspects through the cleaning effort, he asserted that they are implementing a proactive measure for crime prevention.
Following the de-bushing, there will be decisive actions taken to enhance the area. Superintendent Victorin emphasized that improved lighting will be installed in the Gros Islet, Rodney Bay area. The police have mandated the use of brighter white LED lights to fulfill this project requirement and are committed to increasing police presence in the region.
Moreover, a police official confirmed that the Rodney Bay Police Station, situated on the Rodney Bay Strip, currently operates at minimal capacity to support the Gros Islet Police Station at the Gros Islet Resource Centre.
“We are dedicated to doing our utmost to eliminate criminal activity in the area,” he asserted, despite facing limited constraints in service delivery.
Superintendent Victorin also highlighted that while the focus may seem directed at protecting visitors-an essential aspect given the economy’s reliance on tourism-the police are equally committed to ensuring the safety of residents.
There is no room for neglecting the security of the community.
“The police are also concerned about home, so there’s no way that we disregard the safety of our residents,” he said.
By Reginald Andrew