90-day gun amnesty – no questions asked

Measures by the police to not have another record year for homicides in St Vincent and the Grenadines will take place in the form of a 90-day gun amnesty to run from March 1 to May 31.

In 2023, the country recorded 55 homicides- 43 of which were committed with the use of a firearm. A majority of the homicides occurred in the urban area including Redemption Sharpes, Rose Place, Ottley Hall, Edinboro with the most publicized shooting being the July 20 mass shooting in Kingstown which left five males dead.

Rural communities also were not spared from the scourge of gun crimes last year with multiple shootings taking place in the Central Leeward communities of Buccament and Layou as well as in Mesopotamia, Greiggs and Calliaqua.

The 2023 total surpassed that of 2022, 43 homicides, and also the 2021 total of 32 homicides.

Commissioner of Police (CoP), Enville Williams told members of the media at a press conference on Wednesday, January, 3, that the full details of the amnesty will be announced in the coming weeks.

The CoP also said even as the amnesty has not officially commenced, those in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition can surrender either at a police station, with an officer or a trusted person with no legal repercussions.

“We are giving you the assurance that you will not be prosecuted.”

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Trevor Bailey, reiterated the Force’s position, explaining that if a surrendered firearm is connected to an open investigation, no questions will be asked.

“We are saying that within the amnesty period, any firearm that is turned in, we are giving the commitment that we are not asking any questions….

“Of course if there is an active investigation and there is other evidence, we will pursue other evidence but in relation to the firearm we are operating within the amnesty period.”

The CoP revealed that the Force will be partnering with a international homicide expert from the UK to train investigators in handling complex offenses.

During Wednesday’s press conference, police revealed that Operation Taking Illegal Firearms off the Streets (TIPHOS) netted 29 illicit firearms and 219 round of ammunition.