By Caribbean News Global contributor
RODNEY BAY, St Lucia – It all started on Friday, June 7, 2024, with a shooting in Augier, Vieux Fort. Then on Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9, 2024, two homicides reported in Marchand and Rodney Bay, respectively. The homicide rate is 39, subject to the methodology of applied arithmetic.
In Augier, Vieux Fort, two male suspects reportedly accessed the residential property of a police officer in Augier, Vieux Fort. One suspect was fatally shot, whilst the second made a daring escape on foot.
According to the Royal Saint Lucia Police (RSLPF) social media posting “𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: “ The suspect who was wounded on the scene, was later pronounced dead by a medical practitioner at the St Jude hospital. He was formally identified as Delson Marcusie of Cantonement, Vieux Fort. One (1) .40 calibre Glock firearm, with a magazine containing fourteen (14) rounds of .40 calibre ammunition was recovered from Delson Marcusie. Investigations into this matter are ongoing.”
Saturday, June 8 in Marchand, double homicide at high noon, was enough to summon the police to regular patrol, resulting in the arrest of a male suspect armed with a firearm.
Sunday, June 9, double homicide in Rodney Bay, the tourist district north of the island, was not spared the carnage of death.
In the norm, police are urging members of the public to provide information. The crime hotline is 555 for anonymous reporting.
Putting People First remains the guiding principle that influences the decisions taken by the Philip J. Pierre administration “to improve our communities, strengthen our economy and protect the interest of the citizens of Saint Lucia,” says the Office of the Prime Minister.
Strengthening national security
“Citizen security remains a priority for the Pierre-led administration. As minister for national security, Prime Minister Pierre continues to make available the resources, equipment and tools to ensure our police officers maintain the tactical edge in the line of duty.
“The government delivered 28 new motor vehicles to the RSLPF on May 31. This latest motor vehicle handover is the largest in a single sitting in the history of the RSLPF. Prime Minister Pierre formally handed over eight pickups, one truck, one 30-seater coaster, 10 motorcycles, five ATVs and four jet skis.”
House of Assembly May 7, 2024 – “The import by the Cricket West Indies and the International Cricket Council, its subsidiaries and associates, including the International Business Corporation for Cricket World Cup 2024, of — [… ] (viii) telecommunication services, (ix) security services.”
The expressed concerns about equipment for the police force – merely replacement – or additions – are circumspect when enhancing police resources have not changed the quality of service rendered to the public. The results are not nonexistent!
Commenter- Helen of the Wild West, June 9, 2024 At 9:15 pm, wrote:
“People have this attitude that it is just gangsters or bad boys that getting killed so why bother? Chaos cannot be controlled, and we will soon suffer from the law of unintended consequences. This will go beyond the point of no return and all hell will break loose here.”
As the host of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup from June 15-24, 2024 and Saint Lucia Carnival from July 1-17 much is at stake to security services and protection.
As reported on April 9, 2024, “The minister for crime prevention and persons with disability Jeremiah Norbert, member of parliament (MP) for Micoud North, has ostensibly not shown up for duty subject to the non-abatement of crime in Saint Lucia.”
The guns, gangs, and lawlessness that permeate Saint Lucia have not ostensibly tamed the sensibilities of legislators and suspects.
The continuation of homicides reveals the need to enhance national security is even more profound. If appropriate, a serious lapse in judgment makes clear – there is a serious clash of character, values and professional thought in addressing crime in Saint Lucia.
The current construct is self-defeating!
