Crime/Justice, News

The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force

Published 17 April 2017

POLICE CONDUCTS SECOND ILLEGAL DRUG BURN FOR 2017

Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 13, 2017 (RSCNPF): A controlled burn by the Anti Drug Unit/Special Services Unit on Wednesday (April 12) resulted in the destruction of a large quantity of marijuana.

The burn at a secured location saw the destruction of over 8,000 marijuana plants seized during Operations and Patrols over the last months.

On the fire being fed by discarded pallets and a few automobile tires were the plants of varying sizes and marijuana packaged for sale.

“This is our second burn for the year, the last one we did just over 2000 plants,” said, Inspector(Ag) Reynold Myers as he monitored the raging fire being tended by officers of the SSU. He added, “we will continue to search, and when we find, we will uproot, seize and burn”. It is our goal, to rid our communities illegal drugs and instruments that can be used to commit crimes.”

Inspector Myers also took time to note that the Police ongoing Counter Drug activities are supported by the St. Kitts Nevis Defence Force and Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise Department.

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Crime/Justice, Local news, News

Nevis Deputy Premier Expresses Outrage at Latest Murder. Calls for a United Response

http://timescaribbeanonline.com/nevis-deputy-premier-expresses-outrage-latest-murder-calls-united-response/ #

Published 17 April 2017

St.Kitts-Nevis Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Premier of Nevis Hon. Mark Brantley is expressing outrage at the senseless murder that took place on Nevis during the early hours of Easter Monday morning.

Police reports indicate that a vehicle carrying two females were fired upon some 30 plus times by unknown assailants leaving one female dead and the other hospitalized in serious condition.

In commenting on the tragic incident Hon. Brantley expressed outrage and called on citizens to unite in response to the senseless murder.

 

Hon. Brantley took to social media and stated “I have learnt of the tragic loss of yet another young life in Nevis (this time a young mother) and the injuries suffered by another young woman. My deepest condolences to the families affected by this terrible tragedy and to the whole Nevisian community. These senseless cowardly acts perpetuated by the few do not and will never define us as a society or a community. I urge all having information which can help the Police in their investigation to contact the Police urgently. The days of seeing and not seeing must now be over. This social disease of crime must have a united societal response. The harbourer is worse than the thief so if you see something please say something and let us work together to rid our societies of this cancer of criminality. Let us even as we register our outrage take a moment to pray for the victims and their families.”

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Crime/Justice, Local news, News

Murder in Nevis

Published 17 April 2017

NEVIS POLICE INVESTIGATING LATEST SHOOTING

 

The incident occurred about 3.45am on Monday (April17).

 

Initial investigations revealed that two (2) females were shot by an unknown assailant(s) while sitting in a parked car in the area. Both individuals received gunshot injuries and were taken to the Alexandra Hospital for treatment.

One of the victims died at the hospital. Confirmed  dead is Morella Webbe, 28 and injured is Sonia Grant, 34.

Morella Webbe, 28

“As we investigate this incident, we urge anyone who may have seen or heard anything to call  the Police. Together we can rid our communities of the senseless violence. Our Forensics Unit has canvassed the scene but your assistance coupled with what we do will be difference in solving these crimes,” said Head of the Nevis Division, Superintendent Trevor Mills.

Superintendent Mills added, “Persons can assist the police in this crime, or any other crime by calling any Police Station in the federation, Crime Stoppers, our confidential hotline, at 1-800-8477 or by using the SKN Crime Reporter App on their Smartphone to share the information.”

 

 

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Crime/Justice, Local news, News

HMP INMATES TESTIFY TO SUCCESS OF PROJECT STOP ‘N’ THINK

Published 13 April 2017

Travis DuPorte embraces Dr. Chitan

Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 11, 2017 (SKNIS): Several inmates at Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) have thanked the Ministry of National Security in St. Kitts, as well as Crime Reduction Specialist, Dr. Neals Chitan for believing that they can change and equipping them with behavioural and coping strategies to achieve this.

Thirty of the men graduated from the 10-week Project Stop ‘n’ Think programme created by Dr. Chitan, which explored the roots of crime and used various techniques that encouraged the participants to “always stop and think before you proceed.” The graduation ceremony was held on Saturday, April 08, at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Basseterre.

Marius Webbe, who is presently serving a 30-year sentence, described the intervention by Dr. Chitan as “much needed,” noting that it brought a measure of hope to himself and his peers. The inmate also credited Superintendent of Prisons, Mr. Junie Hodge, and his staff for reinforcing the rehabilitation and reform agenda at HMP. Mr. Webbe described Project Stop ‘n’ Think as an excellent complementary programme.

“I say to Mr. Chitan, you are an inspirer, a go getter and one who we have adopted as a mentor, a father. Thank you for giving me my hope back and [on behalf] of our residents, I say you are our guiding light,” Mr. Webbe stated.

Wycliffe Liburd shared similar sentiments as Webbe, while adding that the inmates were challenged to reflect on past missteps and on who they are. He became emotional while sharing his thoughts and apologized to his mother for disappointing her by being in prison, rather than having an honest job and contributing productively to society.

Travis DuPorte and Raheem Crossley also gave positive reviews of the programme and said they were committed to leading more positive lives and helping others to do the same.

Dr. Chitan said he enjoyed working with the inmates and learnt from them during the weekly sessions, which often ran longer than scheduled. He encouraged the general public to give the persons who are eligible for release a second chance as they reintegrate into society.

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Crime/Justice, News

Man suffers gunshot injury during armed robbery

http://sknpulse.com/man-suffers-gun-shot-injury-during-armed-robbery/ #

Published 10 April 2017

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, April 10th 2017 – Reports of another shooting and robbery in St. Kitts and Nevis.

 

Kyle Bridgewater was shot in the shoulder, gun-butted and robbed last Saturday afternoon, April 8th, in the Boyd’s Village community.

One report said Bridgewater and a male companion were walking in hills overlooking Boyd’s Village around 1.30 pm, when they were attacked by heavily armed gunmen, who robbed them of an undisclosed amount of cash.

 Bridgewater reportedly received a bullet wound to his shoulder and was transported to the J. N. France General Hospital for treatment of his injury.

 His companion was not hurt.

 Police have confirmed the incident and are carrying out investigations.

 There have been several shooting incidents so far for the year.

 

On January 4, bread bus driver Kazemel Maynard of St. Paul’s sustained gunshot wounds to his chest and hand in a robbery attempt in the Farm’s Housing Project in Sandy Point, St. Kitts.

 On January 4th, Carlyle Liddie suffered injuries to his hip, shoulder and abdomen after he was attacked by an unknown gunman in Crab Hill, Sandy Point, St. Kitts.

. On January 6th, Darren Webster, 25; and Calvert Francis, 20 were attacked by gunmen in the Green Tree Housing Project, St. Kitts.

 January 21st, a juvenile in the Ms Knight, Basseterre area was shot in the left leg by an unknown gunman.

 March 1st Jacqueline Buchanan of Sandy Point, St. Kitts, was shot and injured in an arm and hospitalised.

 March 4th, the home of Jacqueline Buchanan of Sandy Point was riddled with bullets. No injuries reported.

 March 10th, the Crab Hill residence and vehicle of Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Shawn K. Richards were attacked by gunmen. No injuries but damage to the home and vehicle reported.

 March 30th – Police fired shots at a would-be burglar who attempted to break into the Pelican Mall, Basseterre.

 April 1st – A man in Bath Village, Nevis sustained an injury to his leg during an altercation with two unknown assailants.

 St. Kitts and Nevis has recorded six murders and several shootings and armed robberies for the year.

 The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force have reported a near 60 percent increase in crime in 2016 over 2015.

The total number of reported crimes in 2016 was 1643, compared to 1048 in 2015, with a triple digit increase in shootings and double digits increase in murder, break-ins, larceny, indecent assault, rape, unlawful carnal knowledge, non-firearm wounding, arson and drug-related offences.

The number of homicides increased from 28 to 31 over the comparative period, an increase of over 10%.

Breakings increased from 242 in 2015 to 415 in 2016, an increase of over 71%.

Larcenies increased by 81%, going from 215 in 2015 to 390 in 2016.

The incidences of ‘shooting at with intent’ showed marked increase of 160%, rising from 10 in 2015 to 26 in 2016.

Reported sex crimes including rape, indecent assault and unlawful carnal knowledge also increased by 25%, going from 36 in 2015 to 45 in 2016.

Wounding by firearms fell sharply from 15 in 2015 to 5 in 2016, a decrease of 66%, while wounding by other means rose by 65%, from 69 in 2015 to 114 in 2016.

Drug offences, namely possession, trafficking, importation of illegal drugs, went from 204 in 2015 to 275, an increase of 34%.

Malicious damage and arson almost doubled in 2016, going from 86 in 2015 to 167 in 2016, up 94%.

Offences under the category of other crimes also rose from 29 in 2015 to 47 in 2016.

The number of robberiesdecreased by 12%, falling from 65 in 2015 to 57 in 2015.

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