“OPERATION VIGILANCE” COMMENCES IN ST. KITTS AND NEVIS

Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 01, 2015 (SKNIS): On the eve of the “August Monday” holiday weekend in St. Kitts and Nevis, units of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, supported by St. Kitts- Nevis Defence Force personnel commenced “Operation Vigilance”.

According to Acting Commissioner of Police Stafford Liburd, the policing operation will run from Friday (July 31) to Wednesday (August 5) and is an effort towards ensuring a safe Culturama Festival on Nevis and to allow others to enjoy a long weekend filled with activities on St. Kitts.

“We want to ensure a public safety environment that is comfortable for revelers, show patrons, families on the beach and the like,” said the Acting Commissioner.

Friday afternoon in St. Kitts and Nevis saw a full court press from the police, with simultaneous vehicular stop and searches on both islands, random vehicular searches at the Sea Bridge ferry docks in St. Kitts and in Nevis and personal stop and searches of persons of interest at the ferry terminals on both islands.

“We have made it clear to the criminals and persons with criminal intent, that we are serious about reducing crime in our Federation. We have said to the criminals, you should be very uncomfortable carrying firearms or other offensive weapons. We have taken a few weapons off the streets in the past weeks and we have been vigilant. That vigilance will continue and this weekend will be a glimpse of our continued commitment,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) with responsibility for Operations Vaughan Henderson.

“Our small successes over the last weeks have motivated us, we are pumped. If you are a criminal you will get the feeling that we are everywhere this weekend, and we will be,” ACP Henderson added. He also stressed, that only the criminals will feel that way, and wants the rest of the general public to enjoy themselves.

Highlighting the results of police activity over the last weeks, ACP with responsibility for Crime Ian Queeley said, “there has been a significant increase in policing efforts in our communities. We have done 132 abandoned house searches, over 900 personal stop and searches, 914 vehicular stop and searches and have recovered 3 firearms and associated ammunition in recent weeks. He added, “the increased tempo of operations is in keeping with the implementation of the Police’s Six Point Crime Fighting plan”, and stressed, “the early successes have given optimism to the force that we can make inroads and we can reduce the fear of crime in the federation.” He thanked the public for their renewed spirit of cooperation.

ACP Queeley also encouraged the general public to provide information on any known criminal activity by calling any police station or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 (TIPS).

The name “Operation Vigilance” was chosen to highlight the force’s commitment, dedication, and endurance needed for this weekend’s operations.

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