Opposition party condemns senseless killings in SVG

By Admin. Updated 9:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 26, 2024, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

The opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) said Wednesday it “condemns the senseless killings that are occurring in our country.”

In a June 26 press release, the NDP said that on Monday June 24th 2024, Kezron Deshong was fatally shot in Belmont. Also on Wednesday 26th June 2024, we learned of the killing of Ossie ‘Soca’ Glasgow at his home in Harmony Hall, in an apparent robbery.

“These two killings bring the number for the year to twenty-three (23),” the NDP said.

“This is alarming because the upward trend of killings continues. The Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, appears not to be alarmed by the upsurge. He is silent on this serious issue,” the NDP said.

Parliamentary Representative for Central Kingstown, Major St. Clair Leacock, said, “Our citizens are living in fear.  We demand actions from the Prime Minister and Minister of National Security and the Commissioner of Police to end this crisis that is plaguing our country. It is time for them to take decisive action and send a strong message to the criminals that they would be caught and prosecuted,” the NDP press release stated.

The NDP said it has consistently highlighted the serious problem of violent crime in St Vincent and the Grenadines and will continue to do so. 

“We are committed to working with all stakeholders to combat crime in the country,” the opposition party said.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has blamed the easy access to guns in the U.S. and young people who have a fascination with guns as part of the reason for the increased number of gun-related deaths here.

But, former police commissioner- Mr. Colin John said publicly in 2023 that based on intel, most of the homicides being committed in the country are linked to a drug transaction that went wrong sometime in 2014 where friends became foes.

Many Vincentians are of the view that the homicides being recorded are drug-related and the result of criminal elements in the country “taking out each other” in reprisal fashion, and that the rest of the country is unscathed.

Still, many have expressed grave concerns and the need for more action to reduce the incidences of gun violence.

Recently, a 91-day National Firearm Amnesty Programme was held by the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, but as of May 31, when the programme ended only 18 firearms and 327 rounds of ammunition were handed in.

The programme commenced on March 1, 2024, and concluded on May 31, 2024.

The government has also announced the introduction of high-tech scanners at the ports of entry to detect weapons after several high-powered rifles and ammunition were detected coming through the ports.