By L.K. Hewlett
St. Kitts Reporter
The increase in shooting incidents in the small Conaree community has grabbed the attention of the nation and more importantly, that of the Police Force High Command.
Conaree has been labelled the ‘Wild Wild West’ as a murder and several shootings have occurred there during the past few months.
As recent as last week Monday, a young man was gunned down and had to be rushed to the J. N. France hospital for emergency medical treatment in order for his life to be saved.
According to a police release, twenty-six-year-old Devon Roberts sustained multiple shots to the back and is still detained at the hospital for treatment of the near fatal wounds.
Conaree residents are now used to the sound of gunshots ringing out in the quiet village, yet with each shooting they grow increasingly fearful for their safety and that of their families.
The audacious criminals appear to have no regard for innocent bystanders as the incidents occur anywhere, at any hour, and while the victims are in the company of others.
While police say they are investigating the matters, however many wonder just how much attention the authorities are giving the incidents based on the alleged circumstances.
Information reaching The Observer indicates that the community is caught in the grips of a family feud that will more than likely turn deadly in the near future.
The escalating rate of gun-related incidents has reached the top levels of the police force and Acting Police Commissioner Austin Williams spoke to The Observer on the matter.
“The recent spate of shooting incidents in the Conaree area is disturbing and the area has become a hotspot for that sort of crime. Although I could not divulge what measures will be taken to address the disturbing situation, citizens can rest assured that steps are already being put in place to handle the shooting spree in Conaree,” Williams said.
The head of the police force said that the police do recognize that there are certain areas around the country that are labeled hotspots for criminal activity, especially gun-related incidents. When asked if more task force or police foot patrols would be initiated, he simply said that releasing such information would only serve to benefit the criminals at large in the particular areas.
Residents in the Conaree area are not anticipating any speedy resolution to the problem and say the police are turning a blind eye because it has been said that “it’s just the bad men shooting up each other”.
