Government getting a handle on crime in SVG
Editor: The war on crime is many-sided; it involves everyone in the community, including parent, parson, teacher, businessman, magistrate, judge, police, and government. Clearly, the government has a major role to play in fighting crime and criminals.{{more}} By any reasonable measure, the ULP government has been doing a pretty good job in keeping its end of the bargain with the people in the battle against crime and criminals.
To the extent that adverse social and economic conditions help to spawn crime and criminals, the ULP government has been doing well in addressing them with its socio-economic policies and targeted programmes, for example, by diversifying the economy, creating jobs, reducing poverty, and unfolding the education revolution.
In February 2003, the government laid before Parliament its 14-point Strategy on Crime Reduction and Prevention. The Government has been following this strategic approach, for example, through legislative action, the uplifting of the Police, pension reform, improvements in the judicial system, the Financial Intelligence Unit, regional and international cooperation, and a resolute political will. As a result, we have noted a dramatic fall in criminal activities, especially in the area of homicides.
The VincyPac operation last year has helped enormously. It probably lost the governments some votes in North Leeward and North Windward but I am sure it also gained them some fence-sitters and even among law-abiding NDP folks. There has been a huge decline in gang violence and related homicides.
I like the way that the government and the Police are targeting the big drug barons and money-launderers. They are no where as dangerous and untouchable as before. The extradition of three alleged cocaine traffickers recently, shows the resolve of the law-enforcement authorities. Let defence lawyers squeal. I love the sight and sound of the squealing pigs. I love, too, the hopping, skipping, jumping and isolation of an alleged big drug trafficker and money-launderer, who is having his comeuppance in the Law Courts. Let them bray and rail against the government. Let us not have any âJamaican Dudusâ in SVG!
Meanwhile in every other Eastern Caribbean country, including Barbados, crime is on the rise. In SVG crime is falling sharply. There is still more work to be done.
By the way, the Coronerâs Inquest last week returned the verdict of âdeath by misadventureâ in relation to the three persons who died in the Vermont Valley last year as a consequence of Police action. Where are those now who had deemed it a Police execution? An independent jury in an Inquest presided over by an independent Coroner following an independent investigation (overseen by a senior Barbadian police officer), rendered a verdict of âmisadventureâ. Would Eustace now apologise to the Police officers? What about all his followers who had brought the Police officers guilty without a trial?
Tommy Audain
Comments
