Let us join together to keep SVG safe

Fri Dec 21, 2012

ACTING COMMISSIONER OF POLICE -MICHAEL F. CHARLES’

Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy. For unto you is born this day, a saviour which is Christ the Lord.

As we celebrate another Christmas in St Vincent and the Grenadines, we must therefore give thanks to Almighty God for bringing us through another festive season.{{more}}

Notwithstanding the many challenges we face today, we can truly say we are a blessed nation. Our performance this year has shown that working together with the community, many goals can be achieved. This is evident with the setting up of the many Police Youth Clubs. To date there are 20 such clubs throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines, the latest being the South Rivers Police Youth Club, with over 100 members. Recognizing the role of Police and the need for greater sensitivity in handling matters concerning children, the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force has launched this initiative in an effort to build a cadre of child-friendly Police and child-friendly Police Stations throughout SVG.

The Pan Against Crime initiative, where hundreds of our children are positively involved musically, is another area where the Police (Police Band) are integrally involved, along with the National Commission on Crime Prevention (NCCP), in guiding the nation’s youths along the right path.

We have a lot to be thankful for. Even in these hard economic times, public servants and the Police can look forward to the 1.5 per cent salary increase retroactive from January 2011. This will most definitely make the season brighter.

Coming into the busy Christmas and New Year periods, it is important to remember that we are all responsible for not only our own safety, but also the safety of others. As we all are aware, the country will only be kept safe when we all join together in ensuring that law breakers and criminals are brought to the attention of law enforcement and dealt with expeditiously.

The Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force will ensure that there is optimum coverage provided so that shoppers can feel safe and business houses do not feel intimidated during business hours and otherwise.

I am also appealing to the road users, especially drivers, to be more alert, as most people use the festive season as a time to relax and let off some steam. Their alcoholic intake usually increases.

If you are to drink, do so in moderation. However, do not drink and drive; designate a driver for such occasions.

To the members of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police and its Auxiliary Forces, I would like to say thank you to everyone for your continued support and commitment. Your efforts in keeping SVG safe have been outstanding. I would now like to take this opportunity to wish you all, your families and friends and all Vincentians a very Merry Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year.