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Tuesday, 17 June 2008
Citizens of St Kitts/Nevis are worried that rising crime is spoiling the country's image.
There is a wave of gun crimes and youth violence on the traditionally peaceful island.
Eleven homicides have been recorded since the start of the year sparking a public outcry against gun violence in this country of 44,000 people.
Last year's 16 homicides was a cause of deep concern for many who cherished the country's reputation for peace and tranquility.
Leader of the opposition People's Action Movement Lindsay Grant is calling for a national approach to crime fighting.
"The numbers may not be large but in terms of the crime per capita, we believe those figures are astronomical. We believe that this is the time for a collaborative effort and action," she said.
Zero tolerance approach
National Security Minister Dwyer Astaphan said a number of prevention programmes are in place but the police have been ordered to show zero tolerance to crime.
"It is going to take a society to arrest and turn around this phenomenon which we are seeing affecting us as it is affecting the whole world," he said.
A car jacking and drive by shooting on the weekend has sparked even more public discussion on crime in the country.
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