NDP calls on PM to deal with crime situation in SVG

The New Democratic Party (NDP) has called on the Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr Ralph Gonsalves to formally address the nation on government’s plans to deal with the crime situation in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

In a release issued on Monday, the NDP said the most recent killing of Brenda Layne, a mother of six children, who was stabbed while on her way home brought the number of homicides in this country to 21.

“Almost daily, Vincentians are waking up to reports of crimes of one kind or another, committed in our beautiful country. Crime and violence now appear to be the only constant on the various radio stations and in the front pages of the print media, pointing to the sad reality that today, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is undoubtedly in crisis.

“The continuous reports of crimes – shootings, homicides, attempted homicides, wounding, burglary, praedial larceny, abduction, rapes and other sexual offences against our women and young girls – are making Vincentians fearful and insecure. The public have lost confidence in the capacity of our security forces to bring crime under control. They are disenchanted with the Justice system to the point where some communities and individuals are now taking matters into their own hands through vigilante-type activities. There seems to be no end to this crisis. In all of this the Minister of National Security and the ULP regime have offered no discernible, acceptable response to this crisis,” the release said.

“The NDP is calling on the Minister of National Security, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, to formally address the nation on government’s plans to deal with worsening crime situation in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“In the meantime, the NDP urges the Vincentian public to remain vigilant and look out for each other. It is only through strong, united, caring communities can we address this crisis of crime and violence.

“We implore anyone with information that might assist the police in their investigations to provide it to the police and we call on the police to redouble their efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.”