Chamber of Commerce meets police to discuss rise in crime

Close to thirty members of the business community, along with a number of security firms, joined officials of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force in a breakfast meeting last Wednesday.{{more}}

The meeting was held at the Chamber’s Conference room in Kingstown, where those present discussed the rising trend in burglaries, theft, robberies and crimes committed against business places.

Executive Director of the Chamber Shafia London addressing the gathering said that the Chamber has to take action in the fight against criminals who selfishly assault persons who legitimately and tirelessly work to support and sustain the nation’s economy.

“The Chamber, as the largest umbrella body for the private sector, saw it fit to play our part in addressing this growing concern…. Such trend is a serious threat to the confidence of our business persons.”

“When the confidence of the business community is threatened, business persons are less inclined to invest; be it expansion or new businesses. This could translate to stagnation of the local economy.”

The meeting, held under the theme Business Security – an essential component of managing your business operations, was considered by London as the first step of many, for the business community to come together to find solutions to the growing concern.

Its objectives were to examine the main security issues affecting businesses, identify and discuss solutions to the problems and to highlight measures that can be implemented to the management of security risks.

The meeting was also to raise awareness of the importance of business security to the sustainability of businesses.

“We at the Chamber also recognize that a committed, sustained effort to reduce and curtail crime must be undertaken in a partnership with law enforcement agencies, civil society, and the business community if we are to achieve meaningful results,” London said.

Also addressing the gathering were Lenox Barrett of Unique Technologies; the technical arm of security firm Guardsman and Commissioner of Police Keith Miller. (JJ)