Crime generally down, but violent crimes on the rise
Local law enforcement officials have said that operations this year led to the removal of 34 firearms and 3,025 rounds of ammunition from the streets of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).
The Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF), said this stemmed from a series of measures instituted in 2023 aimed at reducing the number of crimes in the State.
This was revealed at a press conference on Wednesday, July 17,2024, during which Deputy Commissioner of Police, Frankie Joseph said that through these measures the police have secured 2700 rounds of ammunition, making the streets safer outside of a recent 92 day amnesty period.
In total, 34 firearms and 3,025 rounds of ammunition were removed from the streets of SVG this year, including those handed in during the amnesty. During the amnesty period, 18 illegal firearms and 327 rounds of ammunition were voluntarily turned in to law enforcement and other authorised agencies.
However, after the 92 day amnesty, which ended on May 31, 2024, the police said there has been a rise in violent crimes.
Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of crime, Trevor Bailey expressed satisfaction with the ongoing police efforts to remove illegal firearms from the streets of SVG emphasising the seriousness of the situation if these confiscated firearms were to remain in circulation.
The police also said they have seen a reduction of 8.4% in overall crimes for the first half of 2024, compared with the similar period in 2023; however, homicides remain a concern. The 2024 homicides count currently stands at 28, of which 26 were murders, 17 of which are attributed to firearms. The police have also expressed disappointment with the level of co-operation from the public, which makes the investigations more lengthy and tedious.
“…even though the figures are showing a slight decrease, of concern to us as well is the issue of praedial larceny- the theft of animals and agriculture produce here in St Vincent and the Grenadines,” said Bailey.
Acting Commissioner of Police, Enville Williams appealed to the public to provide information about known criminal activities, promising confidentiality and protection for witnesses.
“I want to take this opportunity to appeal to Vincentians; we have to help each other in times of need, and when a crime is committed and you see something, then I implore you to say something.”
Williams revealed that in SVG, evidence suggests that there are gangs of organised crime where “you have persons who are loosely affiliated and are fighting against each other for, perhaps, control of a turf or retaliation because, you hit a friend of mines or you slap a friend of mines, I’m going to come back at you harder, and then it escalates.”
The commissioner also gave an update on the seizure of a quantity of ammunition, a firearm and other items at the Campden Park Port on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. During that operation, a.38 special revolver, 2538 rounds of ammunition, an extended magazine, and fireworks were seized by police.
Williams said “the matter is being jointly investigated with the US authorities, and so when a more definitive position is arrived at, we’ll inform the media”.
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