Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves says his government is determined to root out the small pockets of criminally violent conduct in this country.
In his Independence Day address to the nation on October 27, 2016, the Prime Minister acknowledged that we are pained and anguished at the blight of violent crime perpetrated largely through the use and misuse of guns and bullets by a small group of young men.
He said this affects not only the victims and their families but all of us in this small geographic space called St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Dr. Gonsalves called for an all hands on deck approach, noting that the solution to criminal violence is not a matter only for the Government and the Police Force.
“All hands must be on deck, including centrally all the institutions of the State, the family, the schools, the churches, the media, the political parties, the non-governmental groups, and the communities. [We must redouble our efforts in this battle; and we must sing from the same song sheet in doing so. This is not a subject for partisan political point-scoring],” he said.
The Prime Minister further noted that even amidst the dangers of criminal violence, our country remains safe; and citizen security, though challenged, is sound.
“Overwhelmingly, our people, of all ages, sex, and social condition, are law-abiding, peaceful, and good-natured. And the violent criminals are given no supportive space in our communities, save and except from a few criminally-connected persons,” he said, adding that “My government is determined to root out the small pockets of the criminally violent conduct in our midst.”
First Published WEFM
