Acting Commissioner of Police Stafford Liburd
Acting Commissioner of Police Stafford Liburd took to the airwaves of national radio on Monday night indicating that the fight against crime is a top priority of the police force. Liburd said the decision had been taken to seek “outside help” in the federation’s fight against crime.
Over the past few weeks there has been a dramatic surge in violent gun-related crimes in St. Kitts – Nevis culminating in two shooting deaths in less than two (2) days.
“It is our job to try to catch those that will try to steal the soul of our Federation through senseless acts of violence,” said Acting Commissioner Stafford Liburd, in an address on state-run media Monday night.
“To those who think who think they can steal the soul of our Federation, to those that think they can destabilize our neighbourhoods, your day has come to an end. We will find you, we will prosecute you, and we will take you off the streets…one murder is one too many.”
“We are implementing traditional and modern community policing methods in our neighbourhoods. Policing is not about occupying neighbourhoods…true community policing empowers both the community and the officers. It creates the environment for true collaboration. Officers [know] the community and the community knows the officers.
“We have already begun to place extra police in key locations where crime is occurring. You will see the reassurance of officers near to the areas with lots of citizens, including schools. You will begin to see more officers walking the streets in key areas. You will see more [patrols] in key areas. I have instructed the deployment of our command vehicle. This will be a key element in addressing immediate and long term public safety issues.” said Liburd, who was accompanied by Assistant Commissioner of Police with responsibility for Crime Ian Queeley, and Head of Nevis CIS Superintendant Hilroy Brandy.
The acting Commissioner reaffirmed his commitment to taking the criminals off the streets indicating that short and long term plans have been developed to deal with crime in the federation.
Liburd said certain hot spots have been targeted, more foot and mobile patrols will be implemented and new technology will be used in the fight against crime.