St Lucia’s Acting Commissioner of Police Vernon Francois says not enough people are willing to assist the police in bringing criminals to justice.
Francois, speaking following the murder of two people during the Christmas period, said that while some citizens were willing to provide information to the police, they were reluctant in testifying at the criminal trials.
“What I have found in this country is that it is easy for people to sit (around) and say whatever they want. There’s no one to challenge what they say.
“But when it comes to dealing with it in a way where they can make a difference, like going on the record and making their statements, you find that people are not keen on doing that.”
So far this year 46 people have been murdered. Last year the murder toll stood at 43.
“I’m getting a lot of support from the public, people are calling with information, telling us things that are happening. A lot of it you work with and some of it you are successful with,” he said.
“The drawback to me is the fact that people are reluctant to take the next step like going to court or committing themselves to a full investigation into a matter, people are reluctant for one reason or another to get involved.”
Francois said that while most of the murders were gang and drug related there was also a need for more social programmes to be put in place to deal with “the gang or bloc situation” that operates in St Lucia.
The St. Lucia Industrial and Small Business Association (SLISBA) has called on the Stephenson King government to do much more than talk in dealing with the crime situation on the island.
“We would like to see immediate action taken by the Government because as the umbrella body for the micro and medium size businesses we have from time to time being clamouring for government to do something about the crime situation,” SLISBA said.
“Government needs to take tough and decision even bold action to bring the crime situation under control,” it said, adding that it is prepared to assist in any serious crime reduction strategy.
SLISBA said that it’s members will meet with the Acting Commissioner of Police to discuss the crime situation. (CMC)
