As the island grapples with an unrelenting wave of homicides, Saint Lucia’s top law enforcement officials have admitted that most of this year’s victims were known to police for their involvement in criminal activity, a trend they say reflects deeper issues within the island’s underworld.
Police Commissioner Verne Garde, addressing the media last week, gave a blunt assessment of the current situation, stating that many of the murder victims had long been flagged by police for “nefarious activities.”
“Some of the victims have been persons that are known to law enforcement for nefarious activities. I must repeat, in most of these cases, these are people that are known to law enforcement for notoriou activities,” Garde said, making his point clear.
The Commissioner added that the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has ramped up pressure on criminal elements, warning that the squeeze will likely spark desperate reactions from those feeling the heat.
“We will continue to put on the pressure, and of course, at some point, there will be a bottleneck. They will get desperate, and they will try other things. We are putting things in place to manage them,” he said.
While the public reels from a murder count that has now reached 39 for the year, the force’s ability to bring justice to grieving families appears to be falling short.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Luke Defraites revealed that only 13 of those 39 cases have resulted in arrests and formal charges.
“So far, we’ve arrested and preferred charges in 13 of those homicides,” Defraites said. “A number of these homicides we have very good leads on, and we’re working assiduously to bring them to closure, at least at the charging stage for now.”
Defraites acknowledged the public’s desire for transparency but emphasized that the sensitive nature of ongoing investigations limits what can be shared. “Because of the sensitivity of a lot of these investigations, there is very little that I can bring out here at this conference. But I can tell you we are on top of what is happening,” he said.
Majority of the homicides have been linked to gang activity and retaliation, paired with a justice system struggling to keep pace.
The RSLPF’s strategy appears to hinge on suppressing criminal networks through sustained pressure including targeted operations.
