Chastanet says government prepared to re-implement curfew

Prime Minister Allen Chastanet on Tuesday announced that the government is prepared to re-implement a curfew if necessary to combat crime. There have been a number of shootings over the past few days, leaving four people dead. On July 12 Annella Wilson was shot dead at Pigeon Point and another male non-fatally injured. Ramah Williams has been charged on one count of murder and one count of attempted murder.

On July 13 there was a double homicide in Sarrot which left Dexter Felix Jr and Francis Altenor dead. (No one has been charged in relation to this incident but two persons are in custody).
On Monday night, Cecilia Louis of Monchy was shot dead and there was also a shooting in Cul de Sac. The Police Force has indicated that the male victim is in critical but stable condition. (No arrests have been made in relation to Monday’s incidents).

“It’s not a good situation,” Chastanet told reporters ahead of today’s House of Assembly sitting. “But I’ve been speaking to the Commissioner of Police. Clearly we’ve seen some form of revenge crime that’s been taking place and they’re on top of it. We’ve put a lot of additional resources into play and I can say to you I meet on a weekly basis with the police department. This is of high priority for the state and will continue to be a very high priority for the state.”

Agreeing that the curfew was a viable option to combat crime, the prime minister continued: “We learnt a lot during the process of COVID. We learnt how the curfew can be used and whereas people may also not be interested in hearing about, the zones also worked a lot in helping the police officers significantly in the area of crime.

“We now know that that can work and if it’s something that we have to do, this government will be prepared to look at re-implementing a curfew if necessary,” said Chastanet.