NIA CHARLESTOWN, NEVIS – Premier of Nevis, Hon. Mark Brantley, has praised the efforts of the Police High Command of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, the security forces, and Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew for a significant reduction in violent crime across the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Honourable Brantley, Opposition Leader of St. Kitts and Nevis and Member of Parliament for Nevis 9, made the remarks during his contribution to the national budget debate on Wednesday, December 17.
“I have had the privilege of engaging with our Commissioner of Police. I want to go on record to commend the Commissioner. I have to also go on record to commend the Honourable Minister with responsibility for National Security [Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew] and the entire team, including those in the High Command on Nevis, because I think we have seen a remarkable drop in violent crime in the country and I think that all of us who are right-thinking should applaud that.”
Premier Brantley expressed concern that some people seem to be waiting for something bad to happen so they can issue breaking news without considering the impact on tourism, the country’s image, or other consequences. He said he was somewhat unhappy that there had not been breaking news highlighting the dramatic drop in crime. Nevertheless, he extended his congratulations from the rostrum to the High Command of the Police Force, the security forces generally, and the new approach to citizen security in the country, noting that it had yielded results and expressing hope that the positive trends would continue.
Premier Brantley also addressed crime-fighting efforts specific to Nevis.
“I must say that we have a couple hot spots that seem to be emerging in Nevis and the police tell me that they’re well aware of who the difficult ones may be, and so I’m hopeful that that too will peter out.”
He further encouraged the nation’s youth to focus on the possibilities and opportunities in the country, explaining that his passionate support for the marijuana farmers was intended to give them the chance to move forward and contribute positively to building St. Kitts and Nevis.