Dear Editor, Crime continues to be the number one issue in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.” We have reached the unenviable milestone of 22 murders for the year for St. Kitts and Nevis (5 of which are for Nevis).” This is unprecedented in our history and places us, as we have now realized, at the dubiously distinctive point of being the murder capital of the world, based on the per capita statistics (the most murders of any country in the world per 100,000 people).” Some have made the pointless argument that we are not #1, but #2.” It depends on what figures are used as the population size.” Whether we are #1, #2 or #10, the number and ease of the murders which are occurring in our country, the apparent diminished value of a life in the Federation, along with the corresponding low detection rates of these crimes, place us in a most distressing position from the standpoint of native Nevisians, ex-pat residents, tourists and investors alike.” At a time when we are, like the rest of the world, experiencing a grim economic climate, our security situation has reached near epic proportions.” In Nevis, the Hurricane Omar-related closing of the Four Seasons makes the economic picture even more grim.” Robberies, break-in and entering incidents, holdups at gunpoint, and other violent incidents, are growing at an alarming and shocking rate in Nevis.” In June, 2008 business owners made decisions almost universally to close down and leave before dark.” Today, in December, 2008, the Medical University of the Americas, which boasts $.31 (Four Seasons is said to be around $.51 of gdp) of our gross domestic product (gdp) in terms of their contribution to our local economy, has put out a circular to all their students forbidding them from leaving their homes and the university campus to visit particular venues in Charlestown and around the island after dark.” Nevis has always been promoted as a quiet, safe and peaceful destination.” That is the primary reason people come to our shores.” If fear begins to grip the hearts of our residents, then what is to be said of those who merely visit?” Informal records reveal that the rate of break-ins into homes and businesses over the last three months could average 1-2 per day.” This distorts the fact that over a one- or two-week period, a rash of break-in and entering incidents and a spate of robberies on persons may reach as high as 30 or 40.” No one knows the true picture in terms of numbers as the police are understandably not only overwhelmed, but sadly are also indifferent and simply unresponsive to an unfortunate number of these incidents.”” Persons have reported break-ins that were in progress to police who failed to respond in a timely fashion, allowing the intruders time not only to complete their dark and shameful acts but to do so by taking their loot away and having sufficient time to return to get the rest. There are a number of decent, well-meaning and professionally trained officers on the police force.” There are, however, too many that are callous, uncaring, poorly led and demoralized.” The posture of some leaves much to be desired, allowing the public, who are the beneficiary of their service, feeling that they are unapproachable, arrogant and not giving a damn.” When criticized, they defensively blame the community instead of taking responsibility and too often attack the press for their zeal in covering the crime story and the status of crime and security.” Too many members of the community by the same token are entirely too harsh in their criticism of the police and while understandable to some extent, are dismissive of their authority and effort to perform their work.”” Persons in the community know who the criminals are and are knowledgeable about the crimes that are committed, yet fear, cynicism and simply not being outraged enough, prevent them from being a neighbor’s neighbor or being our brother’s keeper like we used to be.” It is sometimes difficult to understand why the community doesn’t hold the political leaders, who are constitutionally in charge of directing the police force, more accountable.” The force is riddled with politics and a woeful lack of strong and clear leadership, yet the community is virtually silent in their criticism of the problems regarding” security as it relates to the leadership at the top of the political hierarchy.” This leaves the responsibility for constructive criticism to the opposition party on both islands, whose voices are muted by those partisans who support the incumbent power structure.” For those partisans who support the opposition, harsh critique is leveled at the police and leaders of their respective island.” This dynamic simply shifts from one vocal and harshly critical side to the next after an election in which the leadership changes.” No one ever regrettably gets the sense however that the leadership changed because of gross incompetence; and a lack of clear political will and leadership with respect to the security forces in the Country.” To this point everyone appears complacent and accepting of what we are all told by our leaders.” In St.Kitts, there is not enough resources to:” send more officers over to Nevis,” properly train the police, or to pay them higher salaries to attract more talented recruits.”” There is entirely too much moonlighting among the Force, with officers working second and third jobs outside of the force (some of whose salaries are sadly lower than construction laborers).”” It is imperative that this problem be dealt with and once adequately confronted, will go a long way towards addressing the large scale mediocrity and apathy so pervasive in the Force.” In Nevis we are further reminded about limited resources but with another caveat added, i.e. the Constitution ties the hands of the Premier who can’t do anything about the Police Force in Nevis, except to sit with his hands folded and supervise the Island’s descent into chaos and very serious instability during his watch.” Leaders in the Opposition face God’s wrath directly should they dare to use the Country’s plight for political gain.” God forbid that they should exploit the Country’s dark side by exposing it to the outside world for pure partisan benefit. The incumbent political leaders should be ashamed of themselves and it is time this be said.” They need to step up to the plate and assume full and total responsibility.” Who is responsible for security, is it not they?” Who is responsible for deciding how the resources in the Treasury should be divided” up and what should be spent on the various aspects of the public and indirectly, private sectors, is it not they?”” Who can determine whether or not a percentage of the revenue made by investors to our shores be spent on security, is it not they?” Who is responsible for making the determination as to what percentage and in what form, our police should be trained and re-trained, disciplined, rewarded and promoted, is it not they?”” Who can determine whether or not to reach out a hand, whether through their initiative or not, and collaborate with elements in the private sector who have organized themselves, and taken time from their otherwise busy lives and without pay, to engage in public service to assist with the problem of combating crime, is it not they?” Tragically, our police force in the Federation is both managed and run much the way it did sixty years ago.” The hierarchy within the Force is authoritarian and adheres to draconian policies, structure and style.” Sadly it is hamstrung by a system and political leadership that often uses it for political whims, subjecting the Force to a band of hapless lackeys at the mercy of a political directorate entirely too focused on getting a bigger slice of the Country for their party than on real governance.” “The Police instead needs to be a fearless group of crusaders marching to vigorously ratchet down this growing scourge of criminal activity, now threatening our very survival.””” It is sometimes interesting to watch the reaction of the political leaders when they get criticism for their handling of crime and security.” What r
ight thinking citizen would not, despite their political leanings or loyalties, support a government in its endeavors to get control of crime and strengthen the security apparatus in the Country.” But the Opposition is unable to make any constructive criticism.” Any effort to do so is seen as being obstructionistic.”” Any well-meaning suggestions proferred by the opposition is almost invariably ignored and dismissed.” Regular citizens criticize the government at their peril and risk being considered non-patriotic and trying to fight against, not crime, but the government’s sincere and laudable efforts to improve the situation.” This is unfortunate and makes the fight a lot harder than it otherwise could be. So to members of the community in both Islands (I speak to us all first as we have the most at stake in this fierce battle for the soul of our nation), I ask, consistent with our value system, WHERE is the public outcry, for the rapid escalation of crime on our beautiful Island, particularly when older members of the Community are violated and hurt?” To our political leaders I say, don’t be threatened by those who try to speak out and stand up to make their contribution.” Instead, appreciate that our shared common interests propels us to protect what is obviously our single greatest threat to our unique place in the tourist guide the world over.” Doing nothing or playing defensive politics will surely cause us to maintain the top spot as a murder capital, determined principally by our response or lack of adequate response to this phenomenon. To the Police I say, don’t bite the hand that feeds you!” Develop a better attitude and posture toward the community you are there to serve.” Despite the hostility that comes across in the many criticisms, there is far more support there than what may be apparent.”” And to those who wish to perpetrate crime in our midst, the will of the community is strengthening to fight against you and to stop you and make you pay so severely that you might want to think long and hard before engaging in activities that break down the society you are preying on.” And finally to the Press, I say, your role is critical to the success in our fight against crime.” And if we are going to prevail, closer collaboration between the key stakeholders:” police, community, local and federal governments is absolutely imperative, with the Press performing a central and facilitative function in this growing democracy of ours.” Signed, Stephen C Walwyn Chairperson of the Nevis Community anti-Crime Initiative
