Youth Development and Sports Minister Kenson Casimir has urged citizens to play their part in the fight against crime while expressing concern over young people’s inability to resolve conflicts peacefully.
“I am extremely concerned about the lack of ability for individuals to resolve issues without being violent. We are also very concerned with the amount of gun ammunition on the streets,” Casimir said.
The Gros Islet MP also said he was happy with the appointment of Acting Police Commissioner Verne Garde.
Garde took up an initial six-month contract on September 6, vowing at his first news conference not to allow criminals to overrun Saint Lucia.
“I think we will all be waiting to see what will be done in terms of dealing with crime from his standpoint. But we also need all institutions to play a part in not just being reactive but proactive,” Minister Kenson Casimir told reporters on the sidelines of Tuesday’s House of Assembly sitting.
Casimir noted, however, that young people have received numerous opportunities to pursue sports.
For his part, Health Minister Moses Jn Baptiste highlighted the significant impact of violent crime and road accidents on the healthcare systems, particularly emergency rooms.
Jn Baptiste explained that health facilities are under pressure and need additional resources.
He added that there are also mental health consequences for communities and families due to violence and noted a spike in loneliness and concerns.
Jn Baptiste observed a recognition of crime as a public health issue, with numerous conferences held in the Caribbean and other regions to address it.
Any third-party or user posts, comments, replies, and third-party entries published on the St. Lucia Times website (https://stluciatimes.com) in no way convey the thoughts, sentiments or intents of St. Lucia Times, the author of any said article or post, the website, or the business. St. Lucia Times is not responsible or liable for, and does not endorse, any comments or replies posted by users and third parties, and especially the content therein and whether it is accurate.
St. Lucia Times reserves the right to remove, screen, edit, or reinstate content posted by third parties on this website or any other online platform owned by St. Lucia Times (this includes the said user posts, comments, replies, and third-party entries) at our sole discretion for any reason or no reason, and without notice to you, or any user. For example, we may remove a comment or reply if we believe it violates any part of the St. Lucia Criminal Code, particularly section 313 which pertains to the offence of Libel. Except as required by law, we have no obligation to retain or provide you with copies of any content you as a user may post, or any other post or reply made by any third-party on this website or any other online platform owned by St. Lucia Times. All third-parties and users agree that this is a public forum, and we do not guarantee any confidentiality with respect to any content you as a user may post, or any other post or reply made by any third-party on this website. Any posts made and information disclosed by you is at your own risk.
