Police heads call for help from public

The high command of the St. Vincent police force wants citizens to offer greater assistance to officers as they fight crime and violence.{{more}}

The call came from Assistant Commissioners of Police Eckron Lockhart and Lenroy Brewster during a press conference on Tuesday, September 1, at the Police Conference Room.

“While the police have to be out front in the fight against crime, we need help and support from the communities. We just can’t do it alone,” Lockhart said.

Just last weekend the country recorded four homicides and one suicide. Prior to that the last murder was in May.

Lockhart told reporters police had been doing their best to control the crime situation and it was not fair that persons were accusing them of not doing enough. He said the recent crime fighting initiative of Government, “Vincy Pac”, was instrumental in the decline of crime figures.

“We have to be relentless in our efforts to limit criminals’ actions,” Lockhart stressed.

He added that the police were taking measures to draw young people away from a life of crime by implementing programmes that improve their lives. Lockhart explained that the initiatives included face-to-face consultations in area where young people are more likely to gravitate to crime.

Additionally, planning has already started for the formation of police youth groups in the various districts.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Bertie Pompey said 14 homicides have been recorded so far this year, compared to 19 for the corresponding period in 2008.

There were four murders in January, none in February, two in March, one in April, two in May, and none in June and July. So far this year, however, only three murders involved the use of firearms.

Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner Lenroy Brewster identified social ills as the main contributor to the upsurge in crime and violence, and pleaded with the public for greater assistance in the fight against crime.

“Our mission is to ensure national security by detecting crime and preserving life through effective law enforcement,” Brewster said.

To date, police have solved three of the murders committed in the month of August. (KW)