Crime in St. Vincent and the Grenadines has fallen this year, says acting Assistant Commissioner of Police responsible for crime-fighting, Trevor “Buju” Bailey.
He told a police press conference in Kingstown that so far this year, crime has fallen 8.4% from 2,212 to 2,000 compared to the same period last year.
“Now even though the figures are showing a slight decrease, of concern to us as well is the issue of praedial, the theft of animals and agricultural produce here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” Bailey told the press briefing on Wednesday.
The senior police officer also said that there were 28 homicides in the country so far this year, 26 of which police have classified as murders.
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SVG recorded 55 homicides last year, of which 52 were classified as murder.
Bailey spoke at a press conference at which police displayed guns and ammunition that they had seized this year and which were surrendered during the amnesty that ran from March 1 to May 31.
Speaking during the same press conference, Deputy Commissioner of Police Frankie Joseph said 18 firearms and 327 rounds of ammunition were surrendered to the authorities.
Joseph said that outside of the amnesty, police operations netted 16 firearms and 2,700 rounds of ammunition off the street.
“Some of these persons were prosecuted; some of these persons, well, we just received the ammunition and, in other cases, firearms, but we could not have prosecuted because there was no one to prosecute because of the nature in which we got the ammunition and a couple of the firearms,” Joseph said.
Meanwhile, Bailey said the leadership of the police force was concerned about the homicide rate and the number of gun-related offences in the country.
He said the confiscated and surrendered weapons and ammunition on display were evidence of why the police were concerned.
“On the table, you’re witnessing some of the work that has been done by the police here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the year thus far,” he said.
“When you look at the table, coupled with what we have on records as homicides, if we add these firearms back to the street, and if we add these ammunition to the street, you will see that we will have a much more serious situation to deal with,” Bailey said.
“So, I am extremely pleased with the effort being done by the police so far, in terms of getting rid of illegal firearms off the streets of St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” he said, adding that some of the weapons on display have “serious capabilities”.
It’s funny how people who lie to themselves look often turn back and believe their own lies.
Buju Bailey what kind of Nonsensical talk is that? This is July and you aleady have 29 murders. If you double the numbers tt to reflect the balance of the year, it will surpass last year’s numbers. Your cranium lacks capacity. Man every time you talk only one thing comes out and that’s garbage. You are better off leave the communication to those who are capable. Communication is not one of your strength. Buju. Crimes have increased under your watch. Only a blind will not able to see Buju.