Declaring that the police will not allow a “handful of incorrigible rogues” to risk the lives of Saint Lucians, Commissioner of Police, Severin Moncherry, says that the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) will not surrender or retreat. He has also warned that in executing new plans to reduce violent crimes, there may be “collateral damage.” His comments come two days after Saint Lucia recorded the 41st homicide for the year. From October 12-18, three homicides were recorded.
On October 12, 25-year-old Stevie Sharma was pronounced dead following a shooting in Leslie Land, Castries. A post mortem examination ruled the cause of death as traumatic brain injury, secondary to a gunshot wound to the head.
Vieux Fort resident Devon Emmanuel was pronounced dead on October 17 after a shooting in Chinatown, Marigot. A post mortem examination is scheduled for the 34-year-old today. The violence continued on October 18 and police responded to another shooting at Leslie Land. Ali Jordan, a 27-year-old resident of Grass Street, received multiple gunshot wounds to the body. He was transported to the OKEU Hospital and pronounced dead. A post mortem examination is scheduled for October 21.
The RSLPF held a press conference on Tuesday morning to address these and other matters. Flanked by other members of the hierarchy of the RSLPF, Moncherry opened the press conference with the following statement:
“I first take the opportunity to extend sympathies to all who’ve lost their loved ones. It is rather sad and unfortunate that we’ve lost so many lives through violence. One death is too many, far less 41. While some may make negative statements, it must be remembered that everyone is the loved one of someone, and there is no justification for killing another unlawfully.
“The RSLPF will not allow a handful of incorrigible rogues to risk the lives of our people and spoil the good name of our sweet Saint Lucia. We will not surrender, we will not retreat! We will take the fight to those rogues and would-be criminals, using every bit of resources available to us. We have talked the talk, it is now time to walk the walk! It has gone to a point where even police officers are being threatened. There is no guarantee that in executing the new plans in place to reduce such violent crimes, that there may not be collateral damage.
“I call on all members of the public to join in this fight by providing whatever information is necessary to assist the police. Members of the public can call the crime hotline 45-CRIME or 4527463. It is our business. Saint Lucia belongs to all of us and if we are going to depend on tourism, agriculture and other forms of revenue, we need to ensure that this sweet Saint Lucia is safe for all of us,” Moncherry said.
