Acting Prime Minister and Minister of National Security St. Clair Leacock has issued a strong warning to students across St. Vincent and the Grenadines, disclosing that six or seven students were recently arrested for serious offenses involving firearms, burglaries, and assaults.
Addressing students at the St. Vincent Grammar School, Leacock revealed that the arrested students were permitted to complete their academic examinations prior to facing formal legal charges.
Leacock expressed firm disapproval of this decision, stating that the individuals should “consider themselves lucky” and asserting that “they should have been prosecuted summarily for breaking the law”.
Leacock’s remarks were delivered following a widely circulated, “disturbing video of school girls” fighting in public streets. Delivering what he described as an “unapologetic statement,” the National Security Minister made it clear that criminal activity and street violence among students will not be tolerated under his administration.
He warned that if pupils participate in criminal acts or public brawling, law enforcement will be directed to intervene directly. “If you are a school student, behave like a school student. You go on the streets and your behavior is criminal, the police will be advised to deal firmly and swiftly with you,” Leacock stated, adding that police officers would be sent directly to schools to gather the names of involved students for disciplinary action.
Underscoring the broader social contract, Leacock reminded students of the immense investments made on their behalf by their families and the nation state. “This country, your parents, your grandparents have invested far too much in you,” he stressed, maintaining that the nation has “no room for criminal behavior, bullying in our schools”.
Concluding his remarks on student conduct, Leacock called upon the St. Vincent Grammar School which currently educates 620 students and other educational institutions across the country to take a lead role in modeling discipline and setting positive examples for the entire nation.
