St Lucia gov orders police to take back streets from criminals
Published:Thursday | June 18, 2009 | 9:10 AM
The St. Lucia government has ordered the police to take back the streets following the murder of six persons and an open threat from criminals to assassinate law enforcement officials.
In a statement National Security Minister Guy Mayers said the Police have been given the orders to employ a strategy to bring the city and other trouble spots back under control.
Last week, three persons lost their lives during brazen daylight killings that have shocked the residential communities of East and Central Castries.
The police responded with a massive operation that resulted in the arrests of 16 people, the seizure of drugs and illegal weapons.
Police Commissioner Ausbert Regis said he was also taking very seriously threats made against law enforcement officials by suspected criminals and aired on a local television station.
Men, some of whom wore masks, said that they were prepared to take the fight to the police and warned of reprisals and assassinations following the police operation.