CASTRIES, St Lucia — The government of Saint Lucia will soon enact anti gang legislation in Parliament as part of a strategic “no nonsense” approach to dismantling criminal gangs around the island. Many families continue to be plunged in mourning as a result of gang warfare, which has also eroded the social fabric of the state.
Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony said Saint Lucia can no longer ignore the rise in criminal gangs and the attendant gun related violence and homicides.
“In the past we silently ignored the mushrooming of gangs in our midst sometimes under the misguided notion of freedom of association but since when an association established for criminal enterprise to steal, murder and plunder at will is protected by our constitution? To date the police are working assiduously to deal with gangs and the negative gang culture that spawns anti social behaviour and organise crime. We will support their efforts by enacting anti gang legislation as has been done in Trinidad and Tobago and about to be done in Jamaica,” Anthony said.
The prime minister also emphasized that communities have a key role in addressing the problems associated with gangs.
He said the police and citizens must work in tandem in order to effectively dismantle criminal gangs and their associates.
“This is no longer only an urban or inner city phenomenon; it has spread to encompass sub-urban communities as well. The networks of drug trafficking, mayhem and malice must be defeated by a network of surveillance, intelligence and smart might,” he said.
The Saint Lucian leader also reaffirmed government’s full support for the police to deal with gangs on the island. He says the safety and security of citizens and visitors alike remains paramount.
