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Commissioner of Police Colin John. (iWN file photo)
Commissioner of Police Colin John. (iWN file photo)
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Commissioner of Police Colin John and the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) are thanking residents of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for their “cooperation and commendable behaviour” over the past Easter Weekend.

“The public generally adhered to the COVID 19 advisories and protocols that have been set out by the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” the police said in a press release this week.

The release said that while there were incidents of crimes reported, including a homicide on Holy Thursday, the Easter Weekend was “one of the most quiet and peaceful in recent years”.

Police said that 30 crimes were reported collectively at the 21 police stations across the country, and to the Narcotics Unit and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

This compares to 54 in 2018 and 44 in 2019.

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“The 2020 figures show a 44.44% decrease over 2018 and 31.82% over 2019 respectively,” police say.  

Five motor vehicle accidents were reported for Easter 2020, compared to one in 2019 and seven in 2018.

“However, comparative analysis of motor vehicular accidents statistics for January to March 2019 to the same period in 2020 shows a reduction of 7.66%. According to statistics from the Traffic Department, a total of 222 accidents were reported in 2019 compared to 205 in 2020,” the release said.

It further stated:

“The Commissioner of Police thanks the public for its invaluable support and goodwill. ‘Together, we can make St. Vincent and the Grenadines a safer and more peaceful country’. Remember to be your ‘brother’s keeper’ and ‘If You See Something Say Something’. STAY SAFE! and be LAW ABIDING!”

Last Thursday, the police issued a press release saying it would be increasing patrol to enforce the and guidelines of the Ministry of Health.

This release resulting in questions about the legal basis on which the police could enforce a guideline and whether person are bound to heed “advice” once it is given by the state.