Speaking at the two-day Caricom Regional Crime Symposium in Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre says Saint Lucia is currently averaging two homicides per week based on the homicide count.
The Minister says the majority of the homicides have been firearm related, involve young people and must come to an end.
“Our homicide rate jumped from a total of 30 in 2016, to 60 in 2017, to 74 in 2021, 76 in 2022 and to date 27 for 2023. The latest figure means that we are currently averaging two homicides per week. There must be a halt to this, the majority of these homicides has been firearm-related and involved young people both as victims and perpetrators.” he said.
With concerns that the perpetrators are seemingly raising their criminality to a new level as they are now targeting family members.
The minister expressed that the current crime situation calls for a comprehensive and multidimensional in addition to law enforcement response.
“What is particularly concerning about the situation is that while the homicides are gang-related the perpetrators were seemingly targeted family members; raising their criminality to a new and different level. The situation calls for more than a law enforcement response, but one that is comprehensive and multidimensional.” the minister said.
Pierre says there are a number of initiatives in place to divert the youth from crime and provide an alternative avenue.
He says the country is in the process of introducing social and crime suppression programs that can provide avenues for the resolution of the crime situation.
Photo: today.caricom.org
