Increased intervention by the City Police Unit in Castries has resulted in the arrests of numerous juvenile offenders – that’s according to the City Police Chief, Yonne Camshon. In a joint press conference with the Office of the Mayor, officers and other stakeholders impressed upon parents the need to be more responsible for their children’s conduct as they may be liable for the criminal acts of their minor children.
“We have recorded a success rate put into apprehension of criminals in the city, especially against our visitors. Our success rate so far, we have arrested 15 persons. The matters are presently in court. Some are presently at the Border Lake correctional facility. Also, I would like to make special mention to the juveniles. We also have apprehended a few and they have been brought to the Boys Training Centre,” disclosed Inspector Camshon.
Inspector Camshon referenced Section 1259 (1) of Saint Lucia’s Criminal Code and informed parents that they can be held liable in a court of law for the crimes of their children.
The section of law reads in part: “1259 (1) – Where a child is convicted of a summary offence, the Court may order, with or without any other punishment, that any fine, compensation, or costs awarded be paid by the parent or guardian of the child instead of by the child, unless the Court is satisfied that the parent or guardian cannot be found, or has not consented to the commission of the offence by neglecting to exercise due care of the child.”
Castries Mayor, Gerladine Lendor-Gabriel, notes that children may come from different difficult upbringings which can cause them to lead a life of crime. She says society needs to work collectively to ensure children in conflict with the law can get the necessary assistance to become law-abiding citizens.
“There are mitigating factors- like parents who work long hours, sometimes children are actually influenced by persons within the community. And so we try as much as possible to identify mechanisms which would lead to those young persons becoming better citizens,” she said.
Camshon notes, however, that the City Police Unit has a mandate to ensure that law and order prevail. He says numerous strategies have been employed to arrest instances of crime. “Over the few weeks, you have seen an increase in police presence, both in plain clothes and police attire. We have strategized our plans, patrolled the hotspots, and identified the perpetrators,” he explained.
Police presence was heightened in the capital over the holidays as Port Castries was abuzz with daily port calls.
