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Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 09, 2015 (RSCNPF): Safe communities and enhanced national security were two of the action items discussed at a meeting of agencies within the Ministry of National Security on Thursday (November 05) at the Police Training Centre.

The meeting chaired by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Mr. Osmond Petty, was designed to formulate a plan for the safety of citizens, businesses, visitors and the nation’s borders during the upcoming Christmas and Carnival season. Present were representatives from the leadership the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, the St. Kitts-Defense Force and the Coast Guard, the St. Kitts-Nevis Fire and Rescue Services and Her Majesty’s Prison.

The National Security stakeholders have been tasked with developing a security plan that is multi-dimensional and meets the objectives of reducing criminal activity and keeping the Federation safe as we enter this cruise season and the Christmas and Carnival period.

“Land and sea, airports, sea-ports, ferry terminals, island roads, beaches and inlets will all see increased security activity in the coming weeks,” said one of the attendees.

Commissioner (Ag) Stafford Liburd of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force said, “citizens can expect to see an increase in personal and vehicular stop and searches, expect to see more patrols in the business areas, increased patrols in residential areas. We will employ our Forces in partnership with the Defence Force to ensure the safety of carnival and other events. The safety of our citizens is priority one.”

A key partner in the implementation and success of the plan is Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise Department. Although not an agency in the Ministry of National Security, they will play a critical role in the development and execution; in particular in countering the threat with respect to the importation of illegal firearms and other instruments used in criminal activity.

Mr. Petty, told the meeting, “We must ensure that residents, students, tourists and other visitors, businesses and vulnerable people, continue to feel safe and be safe as they go about their business during the season and into the new year and beyond. It will require increased vigilance and intensive operations on the part of the security forces. The security forces have to continue to be proactive in the fight against crime.”
Mr. Petty added that he was encouraged by the enthusiasm of the group and the early flow of inputs into what will be a dynamic security plan for the season.  He said that residents, returning nationals and visitors should feel safe and should enjoy the Christmas and Carnival Season here in St. Kitts and Nevis, and expressed that he has the confidence that our National Security team will deliver.