Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew Calls for Collective Action Against Crime

Joint Effort to Create Safer St. Kitts and Nevis

Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 5, 2024 (PMO) —

During the presentation of findings from the 90-Day Campaign Against Crime and Violence on December 4th 2024, Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew made a compelling appeal to citizens and leaders alike to approach crime as a societal issue rather than a political one. His remarks underscored the importance of camaraderie and collective responsibility in addressing crime and violence in the Federation.

"Crime is not a political tool," Dr. Drew stated firmly. "It is a national issue that transcends political affiliations. To tackle it effectively, we must remove partisanship and focus on the shared goal of creating a safer St. Kitts and Nevis for all."

Inclusivity of the 90-Day Campaign

The Prime Minister highlighted the unique inclusivity of the 90-Day Campaign, which saw participation from representatives of all political parties, faith-based organizations, and community groups. He emphasized that such collaboration demonstrates what is possible when crime is treated as a collective challenge rather than a partisan debate.

Government’s Commitment to Crime Reduction

In his remarks, Dr. Drew reflected on the historical misuse of crime as a political weapon in the region and vowed that under his leadership, the government would maintain a principled approach.

"We cannot reduce the loss of life to mere statistics or use it to score political points. Every life lost is a tragedy that affects real families and communities. Crime requires all of us to come to the table—not to point fingers, but to find solutions," Dr. Drew said.

Community Engagement and Collaboration

The 90-Day Campaign Against Crime and Violence, launched in September, was guided by a public health perspective and focused on engaging communities, understanding root causes, and fostering collaboration across all sectors of society.

"This success is not the result of one political party, one sector, or one institution—it is the result of communities taking ownership of their safety and working together," Dr. Drew added. "To create sustainable change, we must continue to engage every stakeholder and treat crime not as a political problem, but as a societal challenge that demands our collective attention."

Conclusion and Call to Action

Dr. Drew’s remarks serve as a powerful reminder that crime prevention is not about political victories but about protecting the lives and well-being of every citizen. As the Federation moves beyond the 90-Day Campaign, his message resonates as a call to action for leaders and communities to rise above partisanship and work together for the greater good.

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Related

FAQ

What is the 90-Day Campaign Against Crime and Violence?

The 90-Day Campaign is a holistic approach to crime reduction guided by a public health perspective, focusing on engaging communities, understanding root causes, and fostering collaboration across all sectors of society.

What has been the impact of the 90-Day Campaign so far?

The campaign has reported significant success, including a 66% reduction in firearm-related homicides during the campaign period.

What is the message of Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew regarding crime and violence in St. Kitts and Nevis?

Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew emphasizes that crime should be treated as a collective challenge, not a partisan debate, and that working together is essential to achieve sustainable change in reducing crime and violence in the Federation.

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