KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (CMC) — Opposition Leader Godwin Friday has presented a “better way” to address crime and violence in St Vincent and the Grenadines, saying that the country does not have to accept the current situation.

He claimed the Dr Ralph Gonsalves-led Administration “does not have the will, the moral authority, nor the competence to tackle the problem…

“They lack ideas and, therefore, lack solutions,” he said in a national address on crime.

“There is a better, more hopeful alternative that will improve life for our people and make SVG a beacon of good governance,” he said, adding that his New Democratic Party (NDP) has called for “effective means to fight crime, not merely with words but with a clear plan to action, which we will implement as soon as we replace this failed Government…

“To be effective we must understand what gives rise to crime, then develop strategies and programmes to address the problem.”

Friday called for the implementation of several measures, chief among which is focusing on crime prevention.

“Remember, an ounce of prevention is still better than a pound of cure,” he said. “In this regard, the programmes outlined in the NDP’s Spiritual and Social Redemption Charter should be implemented. The charter promotes positive community-oriented programmes that would steer vulnerable young people away from crime towards socially positive behaviour.”

Friday said the country must restore trust and confidence in the police and the criminal justice system.

“Trust in the system now is shaken and broken. Political connections should not shield anyone involved in a shooting, theft, domestic violence, or other crimes from proper investigation and prosecution,” he said.

“Justice must be equal for all. This will help everyone and will help the police in their work and their lives. They and their families are members of society and, like the rest of us, are equally vulnerable to crime and violence.”

Friday stressed that the police cannot solve crime by themselves, saying that they need the community to provide information during investigations and to be witnesses in criminal cases.

He said this citizen involvement can be promoted through community policing, adding that with specific training in community policing, the police would engage in trust-building activities in communities.

The Opposition leader added that regular meetings between the police and community members should be introduced so that they can work together to prevent and solve crimes.

“The police must see their mission as serving and protecting people and be keen to embrace the community in so doing.”

He also called for an increase in the presence and visibility of police in streets and communities, “not in a hostile manner, but to assure people that they are there to protect them”.

Friday, a lawyer, said the country also needs a well-resourced and well-equipped criminal justice system.

“There continues to be an outcry in our country about the ineffectiveness of our criminal justice system that too often fails to impose appropriate penalties to deter offenders,” he said, referring to a case earlier this year in which a man was jailed for four years for indecent assault of a four-year-old girl.

“The public was outraged by this light sentence and called for stiffer penalties in such cases. We totally agree with that call. Creating an effective and well-resourced criminal justice system involves the police, the director of public prosecutions, the courts … and the prison system. It is vital that these components are appropriately equipped and that they function professionally and independently,” he said.

The Opposition leader called for the introduction of measures that would improve access to justice; for an increase in the number of magistrates; expanding the High Court and improving its facilities; and upgrading forensic laboratory services to expedite investigation and prosecution of offences and thereby eliminate the backlog of criminal cases.

“The system must also provide support for victims of crimes such as rape, sexual assault, and domestic violence to help them recover and be able to resume their lives as best they can.”

He said, too, that the country must promote rehabilitation of offenders.

“Fighting crime is not only about punishing offenders; it must also involve rehabilitation. Offenders should be provided with programmes that would help to keep them from reoffending and becoming a perpetual menace to society. In this regard, we should establish a Young Persons Rehabilitation Centre for non-violent young offenders. This will prevent many young offenders from becoming hardened criminals lost to a life of crime,” he said.

Focusing on rehabilitation is “effective crime fighting that protects all of us”, he said. “Rehabilitation has been proven to work and is cost-effective.”

He also called for the reintroduction of the Police Cadet Service to provide young people with an avenue for entering the police force and modernisation of the police force.

“To achieve the best outcomes in crime-fighting, the best officers must be recognised, supported, and rewarded. This includes reviewing remuneration and promotion practices for the police, including the Auxiliary Police, and ensuring that they are done, not as political favours, but on merit. Fairness is key to success,” Friday said, adding that new police stations, equipped with the reliable transportation, modern communication and crime-fighting technologies, should be constructed in suitable locations.

“Extensive and ongoing training of police and prison officers is needed in areas such as information technology and investigation techniques,” he added.

He said there must also be specialisation of service, where necessary, including a special service to investigate and prosecute such tourist-related crimes, including against yacht visitors. Friday said this is “urgently needed because they require a quick response and measures to keep victims properly informed about their cases even after they leave our shores”.