Prime Minister and Minister of National Security said during the monthly Prime Minister’s Press Conference, in a response to a question by the media, that the Regional Security Forces (RSS) will be back in St. Kitts-Nevis before Christmas.
While addressing the issue of gun related crimes in light of the recent execution style shooting deaths of two young men on Tuesday night, Harris aid a comprehensive investment in crime fighting resources was required.
He mentioned upgrades in forensic evidence and skills training provided by the international consulting company Bramshill who he said has made a difference in training & support, and monitoring the police, which he said has led to improvements in policing.
Harris further called on the communities to come forward and be proactive in defense of law and order and the building of values. He urged the citizens to come forward and assist in bringing the criminals engaged in a spiral of retaliation, to justice.
“What are you gonna do to assist the police, defense force and customs as they give their lives to ensure our safety and security?” Harris asked. Harris further called on media houses to not sensationalize crime stories, but be part of the process of nation building. It was when the question of gun related crimes and the low crime detection was put to the COP Ian Queeley, that Prime Minster Harris spoke to the issue of a multi faceted approach to solving crime and the return of the RSS as part of a phase in development of the RSS in SKN.
As the current CARICOM head in charge of the RSS, Prime Minister Harris indicated that the RSS was integral to fighting crime in the region, and would return to SKN before Christmas for a second phase of operations.
Harris urged the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party to embrace and support the work of the RSS to bring some relief from crime just as the Chamber, the Church and Civil Society had done. Harris accused the opposition SKNLP of destabilizing the country for their political gain.