The murder toll for 2015 is up 325% compared to this time last year when there were only 4 murders recorded in the Federation.
An alarming 17 murders in the first six months of 2015 has the government struggling to arrest the escalating killing rate.
Almost all of the murders have been gun crimes, and several have been committed during the day time in populated places.
Minister of National Security, Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris told parliament on June 30 that police crime fighting efforts had led to a reduction in major crime of over 33%, that is, in all areas other than murder.
“We are concerned, as everyone is, about the high level of homicides. When we look at the statistics presented with respect to violent crimes, significant reduction of over 33% in the Federation as a whole, and the only area of violent crimes for which there has been an increase- homicide,” he said.
Dr. Harris blamed the retaliatory spirit of the nation’s young men. He said that “evil spirit” must be destroyed.
“So we will have a plan put forward by the police considered by the Cabinet and we will give it the resources necessary.”
Dr. Harris stressed that government is utilizing every resource in the fight against crime and criminal activity, adding that the crime situation was inherited and not just starting.
“For the last seven or eight years St. Kitts and Nevis ranked high internationally with regard to crime.
“This government is tackling it head on and we will go as far as is necessary to create a St. Kitts and Nevis safe and secure, and a country of which all of us can be proud.”
He opined that the current violent crime situation in the federation calls for reform “in all sectors of government and the wider society” that are intimately involved in the implementation measures to do with citizen safety and security.
“The Force has now fine-tuned a 6 point plan of action designed to curb the problem over the short to medium term,” said the PM.
The plan covers crime prevention, intelligence, targeted operations, collaboration with agencies, and engagement with stakeholders.
Some of the initiatives have already been put into action and Dr. Harris outlined some that will soon come on stream.
One such initiative is the increased utilization of a US $250,000 mobile command unit acquired through assistance from the EU. Dr. Harris said the police high command informed that since its commission in October 2014, the vehicle had only been used six times up until the February elections. He said a new mandate has been given that along with its presence at major events, the mobile command unit would be used for daily patrol in communities and crime hot spots.
The Prime Minister informed it now has a full time staff and more officers are being trained and prepared to operate the unit. “It will be deployed as needed to be used as a key plan in crime prevention and fighting,” he said.
Pointing out that crime detection/solvability rate is important to the government’s crime fighting and prevention strategy, he said “the police force continues to enhance and upgrade its forensics services unit to meet the challenges”.
The old magistrate courtroom will be used for a forensic unit.
PM Harris spoke of the establishment of a firearms unit.
“In July we will introduce a firearms unit with training and support from ATF to trace firearms’ origin and entry with a view to taking illegal guns off the street.”
He said government is already making investment in human capital, as an officer, already qualified as firearm examiner, is overseas pursuing advanced studies in firearm ballistics to test firearms used in crime in order to link guns to crimes and suspects.
The government also plans to procure a microscope for firearm ballistics with a price tag of US$160, 000.
They have also engaged a police advisory firm overseas to help local force, Dr. Harris said.
He gave his assurance that the government is taking the crime situation very seriously and doing all within its power to make inroads