Peace, joy, goodwill to all

by Enville Williams,
Acting Commissioner of Police

Christmas is the most joyous time of the year. It is a time of joy, peace, and love. Traditionally, at Christmas time, we think of our loved ones, family and friends, colleagues – the poor and needy and we seek out ways to let them know how much we love and appreciate them. At no other time in a calendar year is the atmosphere so filled with “love”.

Christmas is also a time when we reflect on what transpired during the earlier part of the year; for example what we did and did not achieve and plan our goals for the New Year. The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police have had a challenging year. We have seen an increase in the homicide rate and other serious crimes. More resources (human, technical, and material) will be poured into our crime-fighting strategies in 2024. There were also successes. More illicit firearms and ammunition were seized and or recovered during this period in comparison to the previous period.

While Christmas is a time of peace, joy, and goodwill, some among us with bad intentions will use this time to disrupt that peace by committing crimes; stealing, robbing, and even wounding persons. I urge all citizens to take their security very seriously during this holiday season.

On December 8, 2023, the RSVGPF held its annual Crime Prevention Exhibition in collaboration with the National Commission on Crime Prevention and other partners. During the exhibition, important and life-saving crime prevention measures were shared with citizens. It is my wish that you used them to safeguard yourself, your family, and your property from possible incidents of crime.

For us to reduce crime and rid our blessed land of criminal activities, the Police need the unwavering support of the general public. I assure you that members of the Police Force will never dodge their responsibility to protect and serve the people of this nation. Still, we need your continued partnership to bolster our efforts further.

To our valued businessmen and women in Kingstown and throughout the country, be assured that the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force will implement additional security measures at business places in and around Kingstown so that you and your customers can conduct business in a more secure and safe environment.

Fellow Vincentians and visitors alike, in our quest to provide a better service, we will in 2024 and beyond, implement new strategies and ways to improve our service to you. We will endeavour to increase our presence in the communities, and hold Town Hall Meetings, Walkabouts, and Community Concerts. We will also work with residents in communities to revive those Neighbourhood Watch Groups that have become dormant, and establish new ones.

More focus will placed on crime prevention, improving our ‘crime-solving’ rate, and keeping our citizens safe. For this holiday season, I urge all Vincentians and visitors alike to exercise care and caution when using our roads to avoid injury. To all motorists, please observe all of the road traffic signs. Be courteous to other road users and do not drink and drive; as you know, this is a recipe for disaster.

Christmas is also a time of carolling and serenading. So as per usual, the Police Force Band is hosting its Annual Band Concerts throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines. I hope this will bring some additional joy to you as you listen to the officers play their instruments and sing songs. In addition, the Police Christmas Carolling Contest was held on Friday December 15, 2023. I wish to congratulate the members of the organizing committee and all of the groups that participated, especially the Traffic Angels and the Spring Village PYC Carolers, who won the senior and junior categories respectively.

I wish to end by thanking every member of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police and the Auxiliary Police Force for their support, loyalty, and commitment to duty in 2023. Your service to your country is commendable. I urge you to intensify your efforts in 2024 to protect and serve our citizens. I wish you and your families a joyous Christmas and New Year filled with God’s blessings and prosperity. Merry Christmas to all and a prosperous, healthy, and productive New Year.