IN a letter to Police Commissioner Verne Garde, the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association voiced its members’ worries about increased crime rates against visitors and tourism sector employees, particularly in the Rodney Bay and Gros Islet districts.
The letter, dated February 27, 2025, was signed by the Association’s Chief Executive Officer Noorani Azeez and President Ms Erwin Louisy and highlighted not only crimes committed against visitors, but also the importance of the tourism industry to Saint Lucia’s economic survival, the economic importance of the Rodney Bay area, the inadequacy of staffing at the Gros Islet Police Station, and other concerns, including the closure of the Rodney Bay Police Station.
“Recent reports and online discussions highlight an alarming increase in crimes targeting visitors, including armed robberies, theft, and assaults. These incidents not only create personal distress but also pose a direct threat to Saint Lucia’s reputation as a premier travel destination. With visitor reviews and travel advisories shaping public perception, unchecked crime can have consequences for arrival numbers and business sustainability,” the letter stated.
The authors of the letter believe that quick action is required to rebuild trust among travellers and hospitality stakeholders.
“Tourism remains the leading contributor to Saint Lucia’s economic growth, supporting over 40% of GDP and employing thousands of citizens directly and indirectly. The industry’s ability to attract foreign investment and drive economic diversification is heavily dependent on safety and security. As such, ensuring a safe environment for visitors is not merely a law enforcement concern, but a national economic imperative,” stated the letter.
Azeez and Louisy noted in their letter that the Rodney Bay and Gros Islet corridor represents the most economically active tourism hub in Saint Lucia. With its hotels, restaurants, entertainment centres, and maritime activities, this area earns millions of dollars in revenue each year. Any sustained danger to safety in this zone may result in decreasing tourist trust, lower occupancy rates, and, ultimately, business closures.
“We are concerned that current staffing levels at the Gros Islet Police Station may not be adequate to meet the demands of the expanding private sector in the area, especially given the high volume of nighttime activities. We’re also concerned about the apparent limited vehicular resources assigned to the Gros Islet Police Station to service the island’s largest economic hub,” the pair wrote. They also expressed concerns about visitor harassment on beaches, claiming that harassment of visitors by aggressive vendors and unauthorised persons on public beaches remains a pressing issue.
“While the tourism sector appreciates the role of local vendors in economic participation, unregulated activity that creates an unsafe environment undermines the overall visitor experience. We seek enhanced patrols and collaboration with local authorities to curb these incidences,” stated the letter to Police Commissioner Garde.
The SLHTA executives wrote that a recurring concern raised by their members is the difficulty in getting police reports following criminal situations involving both visitors and workers.
“These delays not only frustrate victims but also negatively impact insurance claims and legal proceedings. We request the implementation of a more efficient system to process reports in a timely manner,” read the letter to Garde.
The SLHTA expressed concern about the closure of the Rodney Bay Police Station, stating that the tourism industry made significant financial contributions to its establishment and that “this station serves as a key strategic point for security operations in the northern region. We strongly advocate its reopening with full-time staffing to facilitate rapid tactical responses to security threats.”
Regarding the delays in Onboarding Ranger, the SLHTA recognises the government’s contribution of financing for the program to aid with security enforcement, noting that “the delay in their deployment is a significant concern. These rangers are expected to play a crucial role in supplementing police presence, particularly in high-traffic areas.
“We recognise the constraints facing the RSLPF, including limited resources, manpower shortages, and operational challenges. As key stakeholders, we are keen to collaborate on solutions that support law enforcement efforts while ensuring the safety and economic viability of our tourism sector,” the SLHTA explained in their letter to the police commissioner.
The SLHTA, in its letter, proposed these Short-Term Interventions for Immediate Consideration:
1. Increased Police Patrols – Deploy additional officers in Rodney Bay and Gros Islet on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights from 6 pm to 6 am.
2. One-Way Traffic System – Implement a one-way traffic system during peak hours to enhance mobility and security.
3. Juvenile Curfew – Introduce a curfew for minors in high-risk areas to mitigate crime and disorderly behavior.
4. Traffic Stops and Checks – Conduct random traffic stops to deter criminal elements.
5. Disband Loiterers– Implement strategies to address groups engaging in criminal or disruptive activities.
6. Beautification of the Strip – Enhance lighting, cleanliness, and overall aesthetics to create a safer environment.
7. De-bushing & Solar Lighting – Improve visibility and safety through bush clearance and solar-powered streetlights.
8. CCTV Surveillance Expansion – Increase CCTV monitoring along the strip to enhance real-time security interventions.
9. Reopening of Rodney Bay Police Station – Assign dedicated officers to provide round-the-clock security.
10. NEST – Neighborhood Enhancement and Safety Taskforce, managed by the SLHTA and an oversight committee to support security initiatives. The NEST will also entail a structured private security presence to complement police efforts.
The SLHTA, in its letter, calls on the Police Commission to have an urgent meeting with its members to discuss pressing concerns at his earliest convenience.
The letter was copied to Phillip J. Pierre – Prime Minister and Minister for National Security, Finance, Economic Development, and the Youth Economy and other members of his cabinet, Mr Brian Louisy – Executive Director, Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Mrs Paula James – President, Saint Lucia Manufacturers’ Association, Mrs Hazel Mendes – President, Rodney Bay Homeowners Association, Mr Thomas Leonce – President, Vacation Rentals Association of Saint Lucia Mrs Cornelia Jn Baptiste – Executive Director and the Saint Lucia Employers’ Federation SLHTA’s Board of Directors.