Security arrangements best

The personal security arrangements for Judges and the Chief Magistrate in this country are the best in the Eastern Caribbean, claims Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves.

Dr Gonsalves joined other members of the legal fraternity in a special sitting of the High Court on Wednesday, July 30, to pay tribute to slain attorney, 34-year-old Bertram Stapleton.{{more}}

As he led the list of attorneys who expressed their sadness at Stapleton’s death, Dr Gonsalves addressed the issue of security for members of the legal fraternity, which has arisen in the wake of the murder.

He said the security arrangements for Judges, the Chief Magistrate, other Magistrates and the court rooms are periodically reviewed by police officials.

Among the measures highlighted was that Judges are escorted by armed orderlies and their homes are also secured.

The same courtesies are extended to the Chief Magistrate, Dr Gonsalves explained, but while her immediate successor used the security service, recently appointed Chief Magistrate Sonja Young has declined such security.

He said the previous reviews showed that other magistrates don’t need such high security because of the nature of the cases that they rule over.

He also used the opportunity to lash out at those who view the police in a bad light and may not want to give them information.

“Our experience in this country is that we can trust the police,” Dr Gonsalves said.

His view was shared by Attorney General Judith Jones-Morgan, who in her address urged everyone to assist the police in their fight against crime.

“Put aside foolish fears…our pride…do the right thing always,” she said.

While he encouraged members of the legal fraternity to take their personal security seriously, Dr Gonsalves warned would-be criminals that “civilized living will not tolerate the barbarism of the gun.”

Justice Bruce Lyle, who recalled his encounters with Stapleton since he (Stapleton) was a police officer in Antigua, working his way up, encouraged members of the legal fraternity to be vigilant about their security, saying that things as they know them have changed.