Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew has credited a comprehensive national security strategy for a dramatic reduction in violent crime, reporting that homicides in St. Kitts and Nevis have fallen by more than 75 percent, with gun-related killings down by over 80 percent — the lowest levels recorded since 2003.
Speaking during a recent public appearance, Dr. Drew said the results reflect a deliberate shift away from reactive policing toward a coordinated model that integrates law enforcement, social intervention, rehabilitation, and youth development.
“This is not accidental,” Prime Minister Drew said. “It is the result of a comprehensive approach to citizen security.”
He explained that while law enforcement remains a critical pillar, the administration has expanded its focus to include prevention, rehabilitation and reintegration, recognising that sustainable crime reduction requires more than arrests and prosecutions.
Central to that strategy, he said, is the Elevate Programme, which has now been formally recognised as a Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) certified centre. The programme provides structured intervention for at-risk youth, combining education, skills training and behavioural support.
He also pointed to reforms within the prison system, where inmates are now routinely engaged in education, farming, vocational training and family-based reintegration programmes aimed at reducing recidivism.
“Security is not only about enforcement,” Dr. Drew said. “It is also about opportunity.”
The Prime Minister said targeted youth programmes, after-school suspension initiatives, sports development and community engagement have played a critical role in diverting young people away from violence and criminal activity, while strengthening social support systems at the community level.
He noted that the improvements in public safety have not gone unnoticed internationally, with St. Kitts and Nevis increasingly being recognised as a safe destination for travel and investment.
“Our people are feeling safer,” Dr. Drew said, adding that the reduction in violence has also contributed to increased confidence in the economy and greater social stability.
Importantly, the Prime Minister stressed that the Government is not complacent and that sustaining the gains will require continued investment, coordination and vigilance.
“These results tell us that the approach is working,” he said, “but we also know that citizen security is something that must be maintained, strengthened and protected over time.”
Dr. Drew said his administration remains committed to refining its strategy, expanding successful programmes and ensuring that national security policy continues to balance enforcement with prevention, rehabilitation and opportunity.
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