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Saint Lucia hopes to copy crime fighting techniques from Canadian counterparts

Contact: Claudia Monlouis

Monday, March 28, 2011 –  As citizens await the joint sitting of the House of Parliament  on  the national issue of crime—which has been announced for early April—law enforcement officials have been meeting with  the Toronto police  in Canada  to discuss various strategies which can strengthen Saint Lucia's crime fighting measures.

Minister for National Security Honourable Guy Mayers says of particular interest to Saint Lucia is Canada's Crime Stoppers Programme and the Drug Treatment Court  which provides a form of alternative sentencing to  perpetrators  who are drug addicts.

“The Toronto police have a very good crime stoppers programme touted to be one of the best in the world so we  have had discussions on that. It has been working very well  for them and we have to look at it as an alternative to imprisonment. If we can implement some of the aspects of the drug treatment programme,  it will be able to save us having to commit those persons who have serious drug habits and commit petty crimes from sentencing them to Bordelais.

“We looked at how they dealt with gang violence and youth violence and we also discussed training opportunities for our police officers.”

Minister Mayers says the  concepts derived from  discussions with the Canadians  will be further ventilated   with  Saint Lucia's Attorney General and other relevant authorities.

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