St Kitts: New police commissioner issues warning to gang members

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC - Police Commissioner-designate Celvin. E Walwyn has sent a strong message to gang leaders and other criminals in St. Kitts and Nevis that “business as usual is over”.



Addressing a Youth Issues and Crime Empowerment symposium, Walwyn, a 25 year law enforcement veteran in the United States, said he wanted gang members to know “that the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force under my command, is dedicated to eradicating you from our community and will use all legal means to do so.



“However for those of you gang members who seek a change in your lives, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force will fully support you in your efforts to leave the gangs and will partner with RAGS to help you re-enter society,” said Walwyn who has worked in Florida and Texas.



“In all fairness, we are giving those of you in the gangs the tools you need to make your decision to leave the gangs. However as previously stated that will be your choice.



“We have already made our decision on how to deal with you if you don’t. This must and will be dealt with during my administration,” he told the symposium.



The twin island federation has been rocked by a number of murders in recent days with five people being shot and killed last week. The murder toll so far this year stands at 25 and the opposition has called on the Denzil Douglas administration to impose a limted state of emergency in hot spots across the country.



Walwyn told the delegates that many mothers have cried and unfortunately many more will cry over the unnecessary loss of lives of their sons and daughters due to gang violence.



He said while not all parents bear responsibility for these acts by the gangs, “some of us parents are just as guilty as our children for keeping our mouths shut when we know that they are robbing, beating and murdering their own people. We are not helping our children, parents, by not saying anything.”



Walwyn said that as a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis whenever a citizen ismurdered and warned that he would be adopting a tough stance in reducing crime and violence on both islands.



“When the public is concerned about leaving their homes in fear that they might become the next victim of gang violence, the police must act expeditiously in changing that frame of thought,” said Walwyn.



“I speak to all members of gangs in this Federation, hear me clearly, business as usual is over. Parents we do not want to see you crying anymore because you lost your child to senseless gang violence, so I am asking you the parents, please send your children or bring them to these meetings to see if this programme can assist them in getting out of the gangs.



“I will warn you that in this administration of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, we are not going to play with your children should they chose to continue in the gang life style. That is their choice. We have made ours. We will enforce the law and we will do whatever is necessary to take the streets back,” he said.



Walwyn reiterated that the police officers were prepared to work with gang members who were seeking assistance in changing their lives.



“We will be proactively enforcing the law against those who chose to remain in the gangs. These acts by those who do not hold value for life have caused enormous pain to not only the members of the families of the victims, they have placed enormous pain in the hearts of those us who dearly love our Federation.



“As the next Commissioner of Police of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, I welcome those who are working to find solutions to the crisis of gang violence within our shores. As law enforcement leaders, we are always looking for ways to make our communities safer; this includes finding methods to reduce gang influence in our community,” said Walwyn.