STATEMENT: Denzil Douglas on ‘unabated criminal activity’

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Since the coalition government was elected to office in February of 2015, we have seen a marked increase in criminal activity throughout the Federation. Very few have remained completely untouched or unaffected by the murders, robberies, rapes, and arms-related crimes that continue to poison our society and our communities.

The unabated criminal activity recently peaked at a most disturbing crescendo after it was revealed that drugs and allegedly guns seized in an operation conducted by our Royal St Christopher and Nevis Police Force were discovered to have been stolen from the evidence room inside the Police Station. This alleged theft occurred from a strong room which is kept locked at all times and reported to be under surveillance twenty-four hours a day.

Further worsening this unsavoury saga are the social media postings of certain profiles that have been realised to speak on behalf of Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris. The decision of these profiles to post in the public sphere sentiments that not only further erode public confidence in our Police Force, but also attempt to implicate persons on social media applies the final touches to the gruesome picture of lawlessness Dr Harris’ administration has steadily been painting.

The situation is further aggravated by the Prime Minister’s apparent direct involvement in the matter, thereby compromising himself, the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Police Force.

I hereby demand that Dr Harris give a public explanation to the country on his involvement in this sad situation, particularly after reports appear to indicate his direct involvement in the shielding of persons from being subjected to polygraph examinations as part of the investigation into the theft.

In my capacity as the former Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party, I implore the assistance of our country’s international friends; the United States government; the Canadian government; and the United Kingdom government to lend their assistance to our law enforcement agency in the investigation of this sordid matter.

The Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr Timothy Harris appears to have been compromised. Additionally, the social media characters that speak on his behalf are engaged in a nasty game of deception and distraction, touting red herrings, false statements in the faces of the general public and besmirching the good name, image and character of individuals who may be oblivious of this matter entirely.

I also appeal to the consciences of all our citizens and the consciences of our Civil Society Organisations. Our Police Force is in crisis. Our country at present is in crisis. Something serious must be done because the escalation of this culture of criminality seems increasingly inevitable with each passing day. I urge that we unite to fight this social disease and prevent St Kitts and Nevis’ crime situation from worsening.

Thank you.