BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS – The high level of criminal activity in St. Kitts and Nevis is a concern to former Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Earl Asim Martin.
Commenting Wednesday, hours after a murder on Manchester Ave, part of the East Basseterre Constituency that he represented for 22 years in the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly, Dr. Martin said the upsurge of break-ins around the island including Frigate Bay, Bird Rock and Half Moon Bay is a concern and questioned the silence of the relevant authorities.
“The citizens and residents are suffering daily as the government remains silent and not informing the nation of criminal activities,” and warned that an atmosphere of serious incidents of murder, rape and home invasions now evoke a mute response.
“People are now seeing murders as just another murder. The people and indeed the government are not showing empathy or concern. There is no emotion to killings and other serious crimes,” said Dr. Martin, who pointed out that following an escalation of armed robberies of bakery vans, at least one business has informed its customers of the implementation of card readers for payment instead of accepting cash payments on delivery.
“We are seeing on a daily basis how crime is affecting businesses, the lives of people and the whole society,” said Dr. Martin, who expressed the view that Prime Minister Harris lacks the ability and competency to perform as Minister of National Security.
“The Minister of National Security has to pay attention to the high level of criminal activity. He may not want to be in the portfolio because when he was in the Labour Administration for 18 years, he refused to be appointed Minister of National Security.
“On two occasions he refused to accept it saying that he was unable to perform the duties as National Security minister. I am not sure that he has developed the competency to perform those duties since 2015,” said Dr. Martin.