The Royal Saint Lucia has taken note of a decrease in the number of homicides record for the month of January 2025, when compared to the two previous years of 2024 and 2023.
In a February 3rd bulletin update by the RSLPF, the organisation informed the public that: “Saint Lucia records massive decrease in the homicide rate for the month of January 2025.”
For clarity, the island recorded 8 homicides in January 2024 and 4 in January 2023 while only recording 3 for January 2025. This means that the country experienced a 65% decrease from 2024’s figures and a 25% decrease over 2023’s figures.
Violent and deadly crimes still remain an issue for the country as yearly figures in 2024 surpassed those in previous years: 77 homicides were recorded in 2024, while 75 in 2023. Majority of these homicides were attributed to gang violence and retaliatory killings. The Force, however, assures citizens that it is working tirelessly to return Saint Lucia to a state of law and order.
In an effort to achieve this goal, the Force has taken an agenda to clamp down on minor but persistent offences. Of these are traffic violations. Owing to increased road operations across the country, traffic officers have attained notable goals.
These include impounding 2 vehicles, issuing 44 tickets, removing 4 illegal tints and conducting 14 searches of persons.
These operations have also aided police in finding and apprehending perpetrators responsible for crimes. Traffic checks, house searches, and mobile and foot patrols in the southern policing division of the country have led to significant discoveries, law enforcement officials say.
“During the execution of the operations, the following were registered. On Monday 27th January 2025, acting on information received, officers attached to the drug unit seized a pistol. Later that day, about 4.45pm, a combined effort by officers attached to the drug unit and special services unit resulted in the arrest of four individuals,” disclosed Superintendent Albert Charlery, who is in charge of the southern division.
Officers also have one man in custody in relation to a January 22nd shooting incident at Palmiste, Soufriere which left two men nursing injuries about their bodies.
Another man is also in police custody in relation to a January 31st chopping incident at Industry, Choiseul.
