National Consultations and 90-Day Campaign Against Crime and Violence Launched in St. Kitts and Nevis

The government of St. Kitts and Nevis officially launched the National Consultations and 90-Day Campaign against Crime and Violence on Friday at the CUNA Conference.

This crucial initiative was marked by the presentation of the findings of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Eastern and Southern Caribbean Criminal Dynamics Study by Dr. Randy Seepersad, Criminologist and Coordinator of the Criminology Unit at the University of the West Indies.

The report revealed that gang culture has become rooted within the Federation. With over 320 members spread across 15 gangs, gang-related violence remains a significant challenge. The data indicated that most gang-related crimes stem from retaliatory gun violence or expressive violence, with strong correlations between gang membership and adverse childhood experiences. 

Dr. Seepersad who presented the USAID report’s findings emphasised that for over 14 years,  the gangs Tek Life and KMS, both of which have now fractured, and the Bloods, have been responsible for much of the country’s gun violence. 

Notably, all gang-related homicides were found to have had their origins in the parish of St. George’s where the capital, Basseterre, is located.

In its proposals for solving the widespread gang issue, USAID proposed a multi-pronged approach that focuses on community mobilisation, suppression tactics, and social interventions.

Dr. Seepersad also advocated for bolstering family structures and creating opportunities for young people to deter them from joining gangs.

Meanwhile, Dr. Jeanita W. Richardson, a Professor of Public Health and Policy who lectures at Windsor University, offered observations on the broader implications of crime and violence, which she descrived as global issues that require collective action.

Using the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition of health, Dr. Richardson highlighted that crime and violence affect the overall well-being of individuals, not just their physical health. She asserted that violence hampers economic and social development, with its consequences rippling beyond just the victims and perpetrators.

Dr. Richardson stressed that addressing violence as a public health issue is critical and called for a collaborative approach to approaching the issue that involved all sectors of society. Describing violence prevention as “a marathon, not a sprint,” she advised that an effective strategy to end the epidemic of crime will involve a long-term effort that required both immediate interventions and sustained strategic efforts.

Professor Richardson further noted that the strongest predictor of future violence is prior violence and emphasised the need to break the cycle of retaliatory behaviour.

In his remarks, Senator Peter Bunting, Jamaica’s former Minister of National Security, lauded the St. Kitts and Nevis government for recognising crime and violence as public health issues. He advocated for an approach that focuses on interrupting the transmission of violence, preventing its spread, and changing the cultural norms that sustain it.

He also shared strategies employed by his ministry and their positive outcomes when Jamaica’s People’s National Party was in office.

Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. Terrance Drew, along with representatives from various political parties, private sector stakeholders, non-governmental organisations, and members of the public, endorsed the campaign and its objectives. 

The launch of this campaign signifies the government’s commitment to tackling crime and violence through a holistic, multi-sectoral strategy that seeks to address not just the symptoms of criminal behaviour but also the root causes.

As the nation embarks on this 90-day campaign, there is hope that these strategic responses will create a safer and more secure environment for the citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Photos: SKNIS

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