St Vincent Deputy Prime Minister St. Clair Leacock has affirmed that the government is prepared to implement severe measures including localized curfews and requesting regional military assistance, if persistent gun violence and gang activity continue to threaten public safety.
Speaking during a broadcast on the New Times radio program following a deadly weekend mass shooting incident in Green Hill, Leacock outlined the state’s security options and the delicate balance required to maintain law and order.
Addressing the government’s readiness to escalate its response to violent crime, Leacock stated that no measure is off the table if the situation demands it. He explicitly noted that the administration is prepared to consider curfews if necessary to restore order.
Furthermore, Leacock revealed that the administration is willing to tap into regional defense networks if local forces require reinforcement. He indicated that the government would not hesitate to request soldiers through the Regional Security System (RSS), specifically citing potential support from the Barbados Defence Force or the Guyana Defence Force to assist ground operations.
While acknowledging that curfews and external troop deployments remain viable options, Leacock underscored the complex trade-offs involved. He cautioned that drastic emergency measures can generate negative international headlines, potentially alarming foreign investors and dampening the country’s tourism industry.
“It’s a balancing act,” Leacock explained, pointing out the dilemma of suppressing violence without inadvertently creating the perception of a nation in constant crisis. Nevertheless, he insisted that citizen safety remains paramount and that international perceptions will not deter the government from taking required action.
Reiterating that criminal elements will not be permitted to dictate life in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Leacock asserted that no group or gang “can be bigger and badder than the state”. He confirmed that police leadership is maintaining an aggressive, intelligence-led policing strategy featuring expanded armed patrols, drone surveillance, and targeted searches in high-risk communities.
Leacock called on the public, civil society, and faith-based organizations to support law enforcement efforts, maintaining that long-term stability requires both decisive state action and active community cooperation.
