Basseterre, Kitts and Nevis: Prime Minister and the Minister of National Security, Dr Terrance Drew, took a strict note of violence and crime and decided to implement Zero Tolerance approach to crime while maintaining law and order within the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis.
This came during his budget address last month, 2023, where he stated that the National Security Ministry has been working tirelessly to provide safety and security to St Kitts and Nevis residents. “The government security agencies have made crime prevention their top priority”, says Prime Minister Drew.
In addition, PM Drew added, “To maintain true social and economic development to sustain the progressive, sustainable Agenda of the Island State, it is essential to achieve societal peace and stability.”
“I believe that our law and order and security forces must be guided in the right direction through the rules and natural justice”.
“To enhance and strengthen our defence forces, a large amount of 2023 budget resources has been allocated towards the retention, recruitment along with upgrading of the manpower in several government sectors such as police, immigration department, defence forces along with fire and rescue department and prison service”, Prime Minister noted.
Furthermore, the SKNLP government has also been working to enhance capacity building in respective agencies. “To improve the safety and security standards in St Kitts and Nevis and its residents, the security and defence forces have been working relentlessly around the clock”, says PM Drew.
As per the sources, the collected data will assist the progressive strategies for the future on a global, regional and national scale. “The policing must be the centre of focus for the security forces which should be established including police and community relations, policies led by intelligence and predictive policing as per the patterns seen in 2022”, PM added.
Furthermore, the government of St Kitts and Nevis has already initiated several crime reduction policies, such as using modern technology and science for problem-solving and crime prevention, along with active support and current social intervention programs, says reports.
Moreover, Prime Minister Terrance Drew has also cited several other crime prevention methods, such as community policing focusing on providing training to target reductions in repeat offenders through forming mutually respected and stronger community relationships.
During the end, “The National Security agencies will continue their bimonthly meetings to execute joint operations as part of the ministry’s mandate to implement and strengthen its crime-fighting strategies”, PM Drew concluded.