Crime/Justice, Local news, News

Premier Amory: Nevis Will Not Revert To Previous Crime Levels

Published: 5 April 2017

St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN); Nevis Premier Vance Amory has made a bold statement in the face of a recent rash of homicides in the federation- he says in 2017, the Nevis public will not see the levels of crime experienced in the recent past.

“I want to give the assurance that we will not return to the levels of criminal activity that we had in 2016, 2015 and any time before; not this year.”

On the heels of one of the most brazen homicides in Nevis in recent times, where a young man was gunned down on a cricket field in the middle of a Sunday afternoon match, Premier Amory says he was shocked at the incident, since he thought that with the investment in national security both at the island and federal level, police would have had better control of the crime situation.

“I was hoping, well more than hoping, expecting, that with the kind of efforts and resources which the federal government and Nevis Island Government have put into crime fighting, the police force, the equipment we’ve given, transportation, and the kind of training to which the police have been exposed and the kind of direction they have been given to engage in seeking to get into the communities, talk to the young men and women, talk to the people who may be known to have committed crime or who may be suspected or alleged criminals to bring them under control. It is a painful thing.”

The Premier said all Nevisians need to safeguard the island’s image of a safe and peaceful place, as much is riding on that positive view of Nevis being an ideal place to live and do business.

“Nevis is a peaceful place, a place people love to come to. When I speak to people who are visitors- and just last week we had engagement with persons who had come in for official business and they say we love Nevis. Nevis is a place that the atmosphere, the environment is one which is so welcoming, and we need to use that. We have to continue as a people to fight it, to confront it and we have to continue to pray, because somewhere it seems as if the forces of evil have infiltrated the minds of some of our people and it has to be a total community effort, total national effort.”

“If we are not to keep that peace and security and safety, we could lose so much.”

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Crime/Justice, Education, Local news, News

STUDENTS PLEDGE TO TAKE A NEW PATH IN LIFE AFTER COMPLETING PROJECT “STOP ‘N’ THINK BEFORE YOU PROCEED”

Published: 5 April 2017

Andrew Mosquito speaks to the crowd of mostly school-aged students at the rally
Kadeem Carty delivers powerful message at anti-crime youth

Kadeem Carty delivers powerful message at anti-crime youth

Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 05, 2017 (SKNIS):Recipients of a three-month-long intensive training on combating crime in St. Kitts and Nevis, especially among young people, pledged to take a new path in life and showed appreciation to Dr. Neals Chitan, International Social Skills Consultant and Crime Reduction Specialist, during an anti-crime march and rally held in St. Kitts on Tuesday, April 04, at the Independence Square in Basseterre.

The event, which heard persons shouting the rallying anti-crime cry “Stop ‘n’ Think before you proceed,” came as a result of the successful completion of a powerful social skills campaign that was launched at the Advanced Vocational Education Centre (AVEC) in January 2017. The project was designed to engage strategies to help individuals, families and communities, in the Federation avoid a number of destructive behaviours, including but not limited to, disrespectful confrontations; criminal and violent activities; and impulsive quick reactions.

Speaking at the anti-crime rally, Andrew Mosquito, an AVEC student, reflected on the lessons imparted to him, while noting that they impacted him on both a personal and professional level.

“Dr. Chitan’s presentations were nothing like I have experienced before. The most impressive part about his discussions was that he grasped everyone’s attention using only raw facts. Over the last three months, his wealth of knowledge impacted me in a tremendous way, and the manner in which he broke down realistic situations opened my eyes on life experiences and allowed me to view reality from a different perspective,” said Mr. Mosquito. “Anxiously, I looked forward to attending his sessions because his interesting discussions aroused my curiosity for learning. I feel confident now that I can apply what I have learned to my-day-to day life,” he added.

Mr. Mosquito described Dr. Chitan as brilliant and saluted him for his generosity in putting the programme together. “I know there is much more to learn from you so I am inviting you back to sit with us once again, for as a new leaf turns, there will be new students, fresh minds to teach and more eyes to be opened,” he said, addressing Dr. Chitan at yesterday’s rally.

Kadeem Carty, also a student at AVEC, noted that Dr. Chitan was an exceptional teacher, as he made sure that no student was left behind. He added that Dr. Chitan took a step-by-step approach to ensure that persons understood life, how to go about it, and listened attentively to their impacting stories.

Addressing the mostly school-aged audience, Kadeem then said, “Whatever you can do in life, my [advice] to you is to move forward. Never, ever, let anyone stop your dream. Your dream is your reality, your dream is your success, your dream is phenomenal,” he said, while encouraging persons to stand up and be positive. “Please, St. Kitts and Nevis, why are we ill-treating one another, why are we killing our brother [or sister] when he or she can be loved, when he or she can make a success for St. Kitts and Nevis?”

Mr. Carty encouraged persons to stop and think before they act because doing anything impulsive could harm the country’s tourism product.

Both young men paid recognition to Dr. Chitan for his commitment and dedication to crime-fighting. They extended thanks to him for believing in the students and being a positive role model in the lives of many.

Approximately 308 students across St. Kitts who worked along with Dr. Chitan over the last 12 weeks will graduate on Saturday, April 08 and receive their Life Skills Achievement Certificates. With their certificates now in hand, they will be better equipped to make more informed decisions.

Similarly, a second march and rally is scheduled for Nevis on Thursday, April 06, starting at the Grell-Hull Stevens Netball Complex.

A section of students assembled in the Independence Square for the anti-crime rally

A section of students assembled in the Independence Square for the anti-crime rally

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Crime/Justice, Local news, News

Senior Officers Slated To Undergo Advanced Security Screening Using Most Recent Technology Available

https://zizonline.com/senior-officers-slated-to-undergo-advanced-security-screening-using-most-recent-technology-available/ #

Published April 5, 2017

(RSCNPF): As the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force continues the transformation into a modern day Police Service; one built on integrity and service delivery, new policies and protocols are being put in place to ensure both.

One such new protocol is the introduction of Polygraph Technology in the recruiting and selection process. Over the last months, all recruits in “Training Class 41” were screened using Polygraph Technology.

Commencing this week, all Senior Officers of the Police Service will also undergo Advanced Security Screening. The screening of Senior Officers was first announced by Commissioner of Police Mr. Ian M. Queeley in January at his New Year’s Lecture to the Police Service.

Commissioner Queeley said, “as we continue to look at criminal activity both within and outside of our borders, in order for us to be most effective we must operate in an environment of continued trust.” He added, “our country expects the highest standards of integrity in those we entrust with the security of our nation and so, as Commissioner, I have decided that there is no more a transparent way than to employ the most advanced security screening for our officers. Starting this week we will screen all of the Senior Officers, and then begin to screen all other Officers within Police Service.

Every Officer will be screened to ensure continued suitability for their current and future assignments within the Police Service.

The Commissioner stated, “we will employ a mix of advanced screening protocols, which are in line with best practices internationally. Our officers will be screened using the most advanced system called EyeDetect.” In addition, “Officers will also undergo a detailed Forensic Polygraph Examination and a Psychometric assessment to ascertain mental suitability.”

Commissioner Queeley noted, “once we embark on this initiative, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force would be one of the few Police Services in the region to complete such detail security screenings on its officers. We know this will help to maintain integrity in our ranks, and continued community confidence in the Police Service.”

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Crime/Justice, News, Regional News

Alleged shooter denied bail

Published: 4 April 2017

Source: winnfm.com

 

 

 

The Greenbay man accused of opening fire on a fellow villager last Friday was denied bail in the St John’s Magistrates’ Court when he was taken there yesterday on several charges.

Andre ‘Belly Man’ Henry appeared before Chief Magistrate Joanne Walsh charged with two counts of shooting with intent to murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of seven .380 rounds of ammunition, discharging a firearm in a public place and malicious damage to a vehicle which was parked in the area.

The charges were laid against 22-year-old Henry who was said to have resorted to shooting at the male villager moments after an altercation with the man’s son.

Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) Inspector Frankie Thomas said no one was injured during the incident.

However, one of the bullets fired struck a silver Toyota Celica that was parked on the side of the road, mere moments after the driver had pulled up outside of his home and exited the car.

Henry was taken into custody around 8:30 am on Friday and spent the weekend assisting law enforcement officers with their investigation.

The Greenbay man has been remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison.

Committal proceedings are set for June 26, 2017.

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Crime/Justice, Local news, News

CDM ON THE AGENDA FOR COP’s MONTHLY LECTURE SERIES, MARCH

Published: 3 April 2017

Members of the Rank and File of the St. Christopher and Nevis Royal Police Force said that they benefited from a presentation on Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) held last month at NEMA HQ, Lime Kiln, as part of the Police Commissioner’s monthly Lecture Series.
CDM is a strategic effort spearheaded by CDEMA in collaboration with regional and international stakeholders, to strengthen regional, national and community level capacity for mitigation, management and coordinated response to natural and technological hazards and the effects of climate change.

Deputy National Disaster Coordinator, Mrs. Claricia Langley-Stevens, made the presentation
In attendance were men and women ranging from Corporals to Assistant Commissioners of Police and also the Commissioner of Police, Ian Queeley, who was present for much of the seminar. The interaction was lively and well received by all, with questions coming from the entire audience, throughout the session.

In her presentation, Mrs. Langley-Stevens placed great emphasis on what she termed “key stakeholders”, which she said defines the critical partnership between NEMA and those agencies that provide First Response and Security during an event.
“Everything begins with the police,” she stated, “especially as the Tsunami Warning Focal Point (TWFP) for St. Kitts-Nevis.” is based at Police Headquarters.

This arrangement, Langley-Stevens added, encapsulates the 24/7 nature of the Police Force, in the event that a Tsunami or other seismic event occurs after normal work hours or at night.

“It is true that we are in the process of addressing the need to have a ‘National Multi Hazard Early Warning System’ but until that is achieved, the police will play a key role in helping to alert communities about threats or potential impacts, assist with evacuations if necessary, also crowd and traffic control. They also provide critical support during exercises,” she said, “when the NEMA conducts drills in communities in order to test capacity.”

She added that the Fire and Rescue Services and St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, will collaborate with the police in such events.
“Even in the midst of chaos and disaster,” she said, “there still has to be control.”

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