Crime/Justice, Local news, News

CHARGES LAID IN CHURCH GROUND SHOOTING INCIDENT

Published 11 June 2017

CHARGES LAID IN CHURCH GROUND SHOOTING INCIDENT

Basseterre, St. Kitts, June, (RSCNPF): A suspect taken into custody on suspicion of the shooting death of Lydia Jacobs has been arrested, formally charged and cautioned.

Arrested and charged is Alston Phillips of Hamilton Estate Nevis.

He was arrested, formally charged and cautioned for the offence of murder which was committed on Friday night (June 02).

He has also been charged with two (2) counts of attempted murder.

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Crime/Justice, Local news, News, Regional News

Four suspects in police custody after failed Scotiabank robbery

Published 9 June 2017

Four suspects in police custody after failed Scotiabank robbery

One of the suspects, source saying his name is Otto from Saint Kitts.

This morning Friday June 9th at approximately 09.00 a.m. the 911 Emergency Dispatch received several calls of an armed robbery at Scotia Bank in Simpson Bay involving several men. The calls which came in also gave descriptions of the suspects and the type of vehicles they were driving in.

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Crime/Justice, Local news, News

With no crime plan, Opposition Leader says Government fails to give comfort to parents

Published 5 June 2017

With no crime plan, Opposition Leader says Government fails to give comfort to parents

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, June 7th 2017 – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Leader of the Opposition, the Right Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas saidTuesday the Team Unity Government lacks a plan in dealing with the increasing crime levels in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Dr. Douglas also accused the government of Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris of being unable to give comfort to the parents and guardian following the disappearance of a 17-year-old BHS student.

He slammed the Government for “criticising and tearing down and deliberately deceiving the people” while in opposition and now in government “has no alternative to put in place.”

“That is why we have the chaos and confusion and the mayhem and the slaughtering in our country, because there were a group of persons who tore down everything that they saw within the scope of politics in order to get into government and now they are in government they are unable to manage the situation because there is no plan, and no strategy,” said Dr. Douglas during his weekly radio programme “Ask the Leader.”

The former prime minister also accused the Timothy Harris Government of being “clueless in dealing with the serious social problems especially criminal activity and the high level of homicides.

“This government lacks the capability and the ability to give policy directives in dealing with the present crime wave and for the future peace and security of residents and visitors,” Dr. Douglas said.

He said the government is also unable to give comfort to the parents of children who leave their homes at mornings for school and to write examinations and who do not return home.

“This government does not have the plan in dealing with such issues when they arise,” said Dr. Douglas, who blasted the Team Unity Government of Dr. Harris for responding three weeks after a national outcry to the disappearance of 17-year-old Basseterre High School (BHS) Leanna Napoleon.

“It took the government almost three weeks to hold a  press conference in a vain effort to allay the fears and concerns of parents in the country as to what will happen if their own children fall into similar situations,” Dr. Douglas told listeners.

“How is the government going to tackle similar problems in the future and what assurance can it give to parents, guardians and citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis that there is a concerted plan of action to pursue when such matters arise,” he asked.

It will be one month on June 8th that Napoleon went missing after writing a CXC paper at her school.

St. Kitts and Nevis recorded four murders between last Friday and Tuesday. The number of murders stands at 13 for 2017.

The spate of crime in St. Kitts and Nevis continues amidst police reports of a 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 robberies decreased by 12%, falling from 65 in 2015 to 57 in 2015.
Photo 1 – Leanna Napolean
Photo 2- Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas

 

 

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Crime/Justice, Local news

With high crime level in St. Kitts and Nevis, US Consul General to promote safety and security

Published 7 June 2017

 With high crime level in St. Kitts and Nevis, US Consul General to promote safety and security

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, June 7th 2017 – The high level of criminal activity in St. Kitts and Nevis has prompted the United States Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados to promote increased awareness among its citizens living and studying in the twin-island Federation.

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) has organised a special Town Hall meeting to discuss safety and security in St. Kitts and Nevis.

RUSVM in a notice has invited its students, colleagues, spouses and family members, along with U.S. citizens residing in St. Kitts and Nevis to attend the event scheduled for June 14th at 4:15 p.m.

“The event will include a security summary and tips to promote increased awareness. An overview of U.S. Embassy services will be shared through a keynote address with the U.S. Consul General,” said the notice.

Interested persons have been requested to respond by June 9 to Sara Kaufman at [email protected].

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Crime/Justice, News, Regional News

Burrell … died overseas this afternoon after a long struggle with illness.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20170606/jff-president-captain-horace-burrell-dead #

Published 6 June 2017

Burrell … died overseas this afternoon after a long struggle with illness.

Jamaica’s football has suffered a major blow with the passing of Captain Horace Burrell, the president of the Jamaica Football Federation.

Burrell died overseas this afternoon after a long struggle with illness.

Burrell was 67 years-old.

Known as a strong leader, Burrell a captain in the Jamaica Defence Force rose to prominence with the military team before being elected to the JFF presidency in 1994.

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