Prime Minister, Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, in his capacity as Minister of National Security, led an engagement with key community stakeholders on citizen security on 23rd August, 2024, reinforcing the government’s “whole of society” approach as part of its comprehensive response to crime from a public health perspective.
Prime Minister Dr. Drew said preliminary results of a study sanctioned in 2022 to evaluate crime and gang dynamics in St. Kitts and Nevis point to a pervasive issue. The study was carried out by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Despite this finding, the government remains optimistic, as Prime Minister Drew noted that the data also shows that this issue can be addressed through an inclusive, all-of-society approach, which his government has adopted.
“When I talk about dealing with crime from a public health perspective, I am talking about a comprehensive, scientific approach which involves the whole of society to deal with the matter. This is really the answer, a whole of society approach,” Dr. Drew said.
The prime minister emphasised that this approach must be driven by action which involves a broad-based, consistent response driven by scientific data.
To help accomplish this, the Department of Citizen Security will be established to lead the government’s response in addressing the root causes of crime through a coordinated effort.
“This has the great potential to work. So why am I doing a department [of Citizen Security] or, if needs be, a ministry? It is because citizen security should always be part of the government’s activity. We must always have all hands on deck for the preservation of peace, tranquillity and harmony in our federation.”
An in-depth analysis of the USAID study will be presented at the upcoming National Consultation on Citizen Security which forms part of the government’s 90-Day campaign against crime from a public health perspective.
The campaign will focus on immediate and short-term actions to combat violent crime, particularly gun-related crime.
According to the prime minister, the campaign will also include medium and long-term strategies to ensure that the gains made in the coming months are sustained in the years ahead.
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