St Vincent’s Minister of National Security St. Clair Leacock provided a candid assessment of the crime situation, describing it as “not good,” despite acknowledging recent statistics showing a reduction in homicides. On Wednesday he detailed a strategy that moves beyond traditional policing to include social intervention, economic engagement, and institutional reform.
He noted that society is feeling “uncomfortable and insecure,” evidenced by the high volume of applications for gun licenses. He described this as the development of a “crime culture” which he admits is “not an easy fix”.
The minister adopted a zero-tolerance stance regarding criminal dominance, declaring that “no criminal element gangs must be allowed to own any square inch of St. Vincent and the Grenadines” or force citizens to live in fear.
Leacock argued that crime cannot be solved solely through “more boots and more hardware” (increasing police presence, guns, and uniforms). Instead, he advocates for the application of “soft power”.
He called for a nationwide effort involving the media, churches, schools, sports icons, and families to speak with a collective voice against violence and urged these influencers to convey the message that “prison life is not nice” to discourage youth from entering the criminal justice system. He believes that if the “whole nation speaks… as a collective in one loud voice,” they can achieve results.
Leacock addressed systemic issues within the police force contributing to the security situation and observed that the police force and its leadership are “victims of the political culture,” where officers feel obliged to respond to political directives rather than applying proper police protocols.
He intends to build a “direct police force” with better leadership and specialized training, though he cautioned that turning the force around is a long-term process that cannot be achieved in 12 to 24 months. To reduce violence, he advised citizens to stop running from the police or resisting arrest, as these actions escalate situations into “skirmishes” or shootings,.
Leacock highlighted an economic imbalance contributing to the situation, noting a “constant shortage of work” in construction and agriculture while young men remain idle. He pointed out the contradiction of having a labor shortage (needing masons, carpenters, and laborers) while young men sit on the blocks saying they can’t find work,.
As a representative, he plans to directly confront young men in his constituency found idling on the blocks, directing them to specific job opportunities to challenge the narrative that work is unavailable. He issued a warning to his constituency that he will not “turn a blind eye” to gun-toting or violence, stating that the “gun slinging… will not fester” while he is Minister of National Security.