Law enforcement personnel within the community are calling on the public to “speak out” against illegal activities, particularly regarding gun and gang violence in neighborhoods across the nation.
Thursday, key figures from the island’s national security services gathered for a joint media briefing. Participants included management personnel from the Royal St. Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), Fire Services Department, Bordelais Correctional Facility (BCF), and the Customs Department, who discussed critical issues concerning public safety and maintaining law and order.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Luke Defreitas, in charge of Crime, emphasized the need for citizens to overcome their fears and assist in combating criminal elements within society. He stressed that it’s essential to send a clear message that criminals will not be allowed to deter the course of justice.
While ACP Defreitas acknowledged that an increased police presence has contributed to a reduction in minor offenses, he highlighted the concerning rise in homicide rates this year, with a reported 25% increase compared to last year, totaling 40 homicide cases.
“The majority of these homicides are firearm-related, with 73%—that is, 29 out of 40 cases—involving guns,” he noted.
He also mentioned that stabbings and blunt force trauma followed shootings in terms of prevalence. He pointed out a significant “gender disparity,” with most victims being male, specifically 37 victims aged between 21 and 35.
“The relentless efforts of our officers to seize illegal weapons, conduct house searches, and perform road checks are ongoing, but these tactics alone cannot completely eradicate the situation,” ACP Defreitas stated.
He remarked, “Gun violence behaves very much like a contagious disease, triggering retaliatory effects and keeping families trapped in a cycle of grief.”
ACP Defreitas reported that several joint operations have been carried out in the Anse La Raye, Jacmel, and Bagatelle areas, leading to the apprehension of suspects linked to recent homicides.
He expressed concern that about 23% of homicide cases remain unsolved primarily due to individuals and witnesses withholding critical information from law enforcement.
“We all want to feel safe in our homes, let our children play outside without fear, and sleep at night without the haunting sound of gunfire. However, the streets are not just ruled by gangs and criminals; they are ruled by our silence. Every time we witness a crime and look the other way, we send a clear message: we are terrified, and you are in control,” ACP Defreitas asserted.
He also expressed concerns regarding public trust in the police, emphasizing the need for improved protection for informants. “When we focus only on condemning the police as the primary threat, we make a critical error in that we label the police as the enemy while the perpetrators roam free,” he warned.
The ultimate goal, he stated, is to remove criminals and illegal firearms from our neighborhoods
In presenting the crime statistics, ACP Defreitas noted a decrease in certain property crimes, including burglaries and robberies, with an overall reduction rate of about 20%. However, firearm offenses have increased by 23% compared to last year, while stealing from individuals has decreased by 21%, and sexual offenses have dropped by 19%.
So far, 195 burglaries, 165 drug offenses, 125 firearm offenses, and 26 motor vehicle thefts have been reported this year, highlighting the ongoing challenges facing law enforcement in ensuring public safety.