Successful Community Conversations in Saddlers Marks Major Milestone in 90-Day Campaign Against Crime and Violence

The Saddlers edition of the Citizen Security Secretariat’s Community Conversations saw an impressive turnout, with residents engaging actively in discussions aimed at tackling crime and violence in their community. This event, part of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis’ 90-Day Campaign Against Crime and Violence, is the latest in a series of consultations held in partnership with communities throughout the federation.

Held at the Saddlers Primary School, the consultation began at 6pm and offered the people of Saddlers an opportunity to voice their concerns, share insights, and propose solutions to the issues impacting their neighbourhood. Representatives from the Citizen Security Secretariat and Community Development officers were on hand to facilitate the conversation, ensuring a collaborative and open dialogue between the government and the citizens it serves.

The interactive session highlighted the Saddlers community’s concerns, including the need for more structured activities to engage young people. Participants expressed that they appreciated the increased presence of police and called for more community-based initiatives aimed at fostering mentorship and leadership opportunities for at-risk youth. Many in attendance praised the government’s proactive stance on crime and violence, appreciating the focus on community-driven solutions.

Eartha Carey, Coordinator of the Citizen Security Secretariat, who attended the consultation, underscored the importance of these conversations in the government’s approach to addressing crime as a public health issue. She stated, “The turnout tonight shows how deeply people care about the safety of their communities. These conversations allow us to hear directly from the public about the challenges they face. It’s this input that will guide our strategy in ensuring that every citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis feels secure. Together, we will turn these discussions into actionable solutions.”

This event forms part of the Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew-led government’s holistic, all-of-society approach to tackling crime and violence. The public’s input, gathered from these Community Conversations, will be collected and analysed by the Ministry of National Security in collaboration with other agencies, including the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and public health scientists. The goal is to devise comprehensive strategies that address root causes and lead to sustainable reductions in crime, ensuring increased citizen security and fostering safer communities.

The Community Conversations will continue into November, with the Citizen Security Secretariat set to release the full schedule of locations for the upcoming month on the 28th of October, 2024. Meanwhile, the remaining sessions for October are as follows:

• Thursday, 24th October – Estridge Primary School Hall
• Thursday, 24th October – Ottley’s Community Centre
• Tuesday, 29th October – Pavilion, Newtown
• Tuesday, 29th October – Cayon Community Centre
• Wednesday, 30th October – Fig Tree
• Wednesday, 30th October – Sandy Point Community Centre
• Thursday, 31st October – Molineux/Phillips

All civil society groups, including sports, church, and social activity organisations, as well as political and business entities, are strongly encouraged to participate in these consultations. The government remains committed to ensuring that all voices are heard in its ongoing efforts to create a safer and more secure St. Kitts and Nevis.