SVG is still a safe place

THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, Colin John, is assuring Vincentians that the country is still a safe place despite a wave of shootings deaths.

Following the shooting incident in the uptown area of Kingstown on Wednesday sometime around 8pm that left five people dead, the Commissioner said, “The public is reassured that despite the regrettable spate of violence that we are currently experiencing in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, SVG is still a safe place. We have one week ago concluded a successful, enjoyable and generally adverse-incident-free Vincymas. Thousands of people enjoyed the carnival and had fun in a safe environment.”

He said that the serious crimes that are being committed are by and large committed by a very small group of people against others of the same ilk.

“We advised persons to settle their differences in a more mature, civilized and amicable manner. Also, we strongly advocate that persons respect the rights to life of each other,” John said in a statement.

“The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force is embarking on new methods of policing while utilizing the tried and tested police practices. We coveted your continued cooperation and support in this venture to make all of us safe,” the commissioner said.

The members of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force expressed condolences to the relatives and friends of the deceased persons in Wednesday night shooting and other victims of homicides in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The police are also asking anyone with information that can lead to the arrest and conviction of persons who have committed these crimes and other crimes to provide the police with such information. This information can be sent via telephone number 911, 999, 4571211 or 4561810 or any police officer who you are comfortable communicating with.

“Be assured that the information would be held to the strictest of confidence. Additionally, there are laws in place in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to give evidence without their identity being revealed. This can be done by virtue of The Witness Special Measure Act,” the Commissioners’ statement noted. (KH)

Colin John, Commissioner of Police, alluded to ‘new methods of policing’ as the RSVGPF moves to tackle the increasing incidence of violent crime in SVG.