Opposition Chief Allen Chastanet says rather more must be completed to scale back the influx of unlawful weapons into the nation following a bloody weekend in St. Lucia that resulted within the deaths of a minimum of two folks together with a British man.
Police stated the island’s demise toll reached 68 on Sunday with the homicide of an unidentified individual in Vieux Fort.
Police additionally confirmed that Donnie McKinnon, who manages the Soufriere Property on the island was on the balcony of a bar, alongside along with his good friend, Peter Jackson, a 72-year-old photographer, when the gunmen approached.
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McKinnon succumbed to his accidents, whereas Jackson, one other British expatriate, has been admitted to hospital.
“This weekend’s gun violence is reminder that we should take the problem of crime rather more significantly and do one thing significant sooner somewhat than later to take care of this persistent scourge,” Chastanet stated in an announcement posted on his Fb web page.
He stated while crime generally stays a priority, the every day robberies and murders dedicated utilizing weapons is one thing that should be tackled with out worry or favor.
“The actual fact is that we have to do much more to get unlawful weapons and ammunition off the streets, strengthen our borders to scale back the influx of unlawful weapons while additionally serving to our residents to search out other ways of resolving conflicts.
“My condolences to the households and associates of these whose lives have been sadly minimize quick this weekend and wishing a speedy restoration to the opposite 13 individuals who’re recovering from gunshot wounds. St. Lucia, we’re higher than this,” he added.
Final week, Prime Minister Phillip J. Pierre stated his administration will announce a complete social intervention program to enhance the regulation enforcement measures as he urged St. Lucians to undertake a zero tolerance to crime on the island.
Pierre in a radio and tv broadcast warned that the island dangers shedding all the beneficial properties remodeled the previous few years if the crime scenario isn’t handled.
Pierre stated the crime scenario isn’t a sudden phenomenon and successive governments have grappled with this example noting additionally that whereas the underlying causes of crime make it a posh situation that can’t be left to solely the police and the federal government to resolve.
CMC/