Amid a surge in violent crime, including ten homicides recorded so far this year—seven of which occurred in February—Archbishop of Saint Lucia, His Grace Gabriel Malzaire, has expressed deep concern over the state of the nation.
“It has me wondering where we are going as a nation,” Archbishop Malzaire told Saint Lucia Daily Post during the island’s 46th Independence celebrations.
Describing the crime situation as “unacceptable,” the Archbishop called for collective action, emphasizing that while prayer is important, more must be done. “We need more parental guidance, more family union, we need the schools to do their part, all and sundry need to do their part in creating the type of society that we need to have,” he stated.
His remarks come just days after Minister for Crime Prevention and Persons with Disabilities, Hon. Jerimiah Norbert, condemned the rising violence following the fatal stabbing of a 20-year-old woman.
“We seem to have no appreciation for life and each other,” Minister Norbert lamented. “Too often, conflicts escalate into deadly encounters, leaving families devastated and communities in mourning. We cannot continue down this path of destruction.”
The Minister extended condolences to the victim’s family and urged support for another individual injured in the attack, who remains in stable condition at the hospital. He stressed that violence should never be the answer to disputes and called for a cultural shift toward conflict resolution.
“We need to teach our young people that disputes should not be settled with weapons, but through dialogue, mediation, and the rule of law,” Norbert said.
In response to the escalating crime rate, Minister Norbert reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening law enforcement, enhancing crime prevention initiatives, and supporting community-led efforts to improve public safety. However, he emphasized that lasting change requires public cooperation.
“Safety is a shared responsibility,” he declared. “I call on every citizen to reject violence, report suspicious activities, and be part of the solution.”
As concerns mount over the frequency of violent crimes, national leaders continue to appeal for unity and action in addressing the root causes of crime in Saint Lucia.
