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Joint Parliamentary Sitting Debates Crime
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Joint Parliamentary Sitting Debates Crime
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Contact:
Rose
Marie Harris Thursday,
September 20, 2001
– The two houses of the Saint Lucia Parliament held an
historic joint sitting on Thursday to debate the issue of crime as part of a
comprehensive approach by Government to come up with effective solutions to this
vexing social problem. Leading
off the debate, Minister of Legal Affairs,
Hon. Velon John, said there was a need for greater cohesiveness among all
sectors of the society if the fight
against crime is to be a successful venture in Saint Lucia.
John is responsible for the principal state agencies – the police and
prisons – which are responsible
for dealing with crime ”In
our fight against crime, there are linkages on a multiplicity of levels that
need to be recognized. Linkages
between systems, linkages between sub systems,” he said. “There are those who
say that poverty is our main cause of crime but it is to be noted that most of
our communities are not havens of crime. And
not all poor persons are criminals.” The
legal affairs minister said another strategy for curbing criminal activities was
finding ways to bring the police in tandem with communities, and building
confidence and trust between the two.
“Our police must be charged with taking the lead in exploring and
implementing what must be done in the maintenance of law and order, specifically
and generally, and the citizenry on the other hand must become core producers of
public safety,” John said. “We see a marriage between the two…...” The historic parliamentary debate was prompted by public concern earlier this year about an upsurge in crime. Since that time, an anti-crime offensive launched by Government and involving the Police, has effectively brought the situation under control. |
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