Hon Philip J Pierre announced that he had signed documents that designate Vieux Fort South as an escalated crime zone until May 16th.
The opposition contested that a state of emergency would be preferred as opposed to the Police Powers Bill, however Pierre says there is a need for immediate police response and not a state of emergency.
“We knew we were in a crisis, crisis situations call for immediate responses, what we have in Vieux Fort is a crisis that needs an immediate response.” he says.
The minister says a state of emergency will reflect negatively on Saint Lucia in the international tourism market.
“It was not wise for us at this point to declare a state of emergency, because a state of emergency envelopes the entire country …You can’t compare Saint Lucia with other countries where state of emergencies has been pronounced even when there is a crime crisis. Saint Lucia is a small country.” he continued.
Hon. Philip J Pierre says the opposition is operating based on opportunism and does not have the best interest of the country at heart.
Photo: Media Stock
