On November 22nd, 2023, our Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis was again jarred by a most heinous act of violence. Regrettably, the incident claimed the lives of two young men, Lequani James and Kevin Collins, and left one other, KejaunCannonier, nursing bullet wounds. On behalf of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) and myself, I express sincere condolences to the—families and friends of these young men. No parent envisions a future where they are burying a child. The pain of such a loss undoubtedly cuts deeply. We fervently hope that all who mourn may find peace and healing. We lift you high in our prayers at this time.
The RSCNPF vehemently condemns these acts of violence and the criminal elements that insist on perpetuating them. While it is often said that commonsense is no longer common, it is utterly unfathomable that these social deviants have not yet realised that violence has never been and will never be a viable solution to any of humanity’s problems. If that were so, we would more likely than not have been problem-free in 2023 considering the tumultuous and dangerous past the human race has had. Extreme acts of violence are, more often than not, illogical, impractical, and detrimental for everyone, whether or not they are directly involved. Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force
The Police Force collectively continues to implore our people to learn to utilise non-violent avenues to resolve conflicts among themselves. If the solution toa. broken arm or leg is not automatic amputation of the limb, how, then, can the. slaughter of another human being be a solution to simple disagreements and contention? As the youth say nowadays, “The math is not ‘matching’.”
Should these social deviants persist in their stubborn refusal to do better andbebetter, their divisive and destructive efforts will be met with the maximumjustifying force of the RSCNPF. Enough is enough! As the Federation’s chief lawenforcement agency, we are determined to preserve law and order in St. Kittsand Nevis. We will not gamble with the safety and security of our nation, nor will we allow a few fiendishly selfish and uncaring persons to relegate society’sexistence to survival mode. It will not happen! The Federation of St. Kitts andNevis is a democratic nation. In a democracy, more beats less. We are more thanyou: we, the Police; and we, the people. You cannot win and WE will make surey ou do not win.
Our security plan for the 2023 Christmas and Carnival season is alreadyinmotion. In addition to this plan, however, the RSCNPF will be highly active inthecommunities. We anticipate that such an adjustment will not be
aesthetically pleasing or altogether comfortable to some. However, the sight of our youth laying lifeless in the streets is neither appealing nor appeasing to law-abidingpersons. These criminals take nought but their foolish vendettas and selfishdesires into consideration before victimising society. The RSCNPF will fulfil itsmandate to the people without fear or favour as we are duty-bound to do.
We continue to encourage persons who have information about these andothercriminal activities to come forward and speak with us. It is worth rememberingthat the cash reward system for information provided to the Police that leads to a successful conviction is always in effect. We also recently increased the reward’smaximum to EC $25,000.
As citizens and residents of this land, we each have a part to play in the curbingof criminal activity in our country. The RSCNPF and the St. Kitts andNevisDefence Force form one hand; the other hand is formed by you, the people. Onehand simply cannot clap. Crime and sickness have one thing in common; theyboth touch everybody at some point in life. Speak up to safeguard your ownfuture and that of your children and family. Work with us to your own benefit. Safety and security belongs to everyone; we all must do our part to ensure that
we can keep it. We ask that the nation continues to lift us up in prayer as we stepout daily to protect and serve. Thank you and God bless!