Christmas Message by Colin O. John, Commissioner of Police (Ag)
The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force extends heartiest Christmas greetings to all Vincentians and visitors to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We also wish you a very safe and Christ-centered Christmas and an extremely prosperous New Year.
The Christmas season is a time for enjoyment, interaction and reflection. As an organisation whose primary purpose is citizen’s security, we are doing everything possible to ensure your safety. You the public have been unwavering in your support, encouragement and assistance to us, for that, we are grateful and appreciative.
During this season, let us accentuate the positive while not totally ignoring the negatives. We have largely a loyal police force that is eager to work. This is complemented by a public that generally abhors evil and loves good. This abhorrence of evil has manifested itself in the public giving vital information to the police. The valuable information provided has assisted in the prevention and detection of crimes and has resulted in an increase of the solving rate of murders and other serious crimes.
The business sector has also played a significant role in crime fighting. The Mustique Charitable Trust has been a platinum sponsor of the Drug Resistance Education Programme (DARE); to you, we say thank you. We would also like to say thank you to Finishing and Furnishing for their donations of fridges, stoves and chair sets to various police stations and branches. Flow has been the platinum sponsor for our Crime Prevention exhibition for in excess of five years. We are indeed grateful.
In this season of merriment, we must be mindful that there are opportunistic criminals out there who would use the slightest opportunity to commit crimes. Do not make yourself an easy target. Secure your homes properly. Vehicle owners do not leave valuables exposed in your motor vehicles.
To the public, I urge you to be tolerant of other people’s view thereby reducing the risk of physical confrontation. This is the season of peace and joy. I encourage you to let your actions reflect that.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines (like every other country) has crimes. However, despite that fact, we are still a safe country. I also wish to convey Christmas greetings and best wishes for 2019 to every police officer, auxiliary police officer, traffic wardens, rural constables, and tourist police.
With God’s help and with the focus on the reason for the season, we will all have a very Merry Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year.
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