Kendal Felix has confessed to killing landlord Menachem “Max” Stark (inset)

A St. Lucian-born man has confessed to the abduction and killing of a Brooklyn landlord because his father – a preacher – taught him not to lie, according to court documents revealed earlier this month by the New York Post.

Felix, 26, was arrested in April and pleaded not guilty on July 11 to murder and kidnapping in the death of Menachem “Max” Stark who was abducted while leaving his office during a snowstorm on January 2, 2014. His charred body was later found in a garbage bin.

Felix was reportedly asked by police if his father taught him to speak the truth.

“Detective, you are right about that and I want to speak truthful about what happened,” Felix responded, according to the documents.

The defendant then went on to spill the beans.

He told investigators that his boss, identified only as “Erskine” approached him in December 2013 and complained that “Max” [Stark] owed him money and that if Felix helped him force Stark to pay up, that he would give him a cut, said the documents, which were released after the suspect’s arraignment in Brooklyn Supreme Court.

On the day of the murder, January 2, Felix and Erskine allegedly lay in wait as snow fell outside Stark’s Williamsburg office, The Post reported.

“Erskine told [Felix] that when Max comes out that he should distract him . . . When Max came out of his office [Felix] said he got out of the van and called to Max,” cops wrote in the documents, paraphrasing Felix’s confession.

“At that point, Erskine came out from the other side of the van and rushed up to Max. Kendal claimed to be a weakling so he didn’t really get involved with scuffling with Max as Erskine was.”

The two men then forced the struggling Stark into a van, the papers said.

“Erskine was directing [Felix] where to drive as he was trying to tie up and tape up Max,” the papers said, adding that the men then picked up Erskine’s brother, identified only as “Kendall,” who said, “What the f–k is this?” when he got into the van.

The men then drove over to the home of another man, named only as “Irvine,” who said, “Is that guy alive?” when he got into the van.

“I said, ‘He’s breathing,’ but when Irvine checked he said, ‘The dude is dead!’ ” Felix said, according to court papers.

Irvine then got out of the van, and Erskine went back to check whether anything was happening near Stark’s office.

“He then called Kendall and told him to, ‘Get the f–k out of here cause the police be all over Max’s block,’ ” the court papers said.

Felix and Kendall then drove to Long Island.

“Kendall saw a dumpster and said we’ll put him in there, so I pull up and Kendall had to put him in the Dumpster, as I’m not strong to do it,” Felix told the detectives, according to the court papers.

The duo drove to a gas station to fill soda bottles with gasoline and buy a lighter, then drove back to set the body on fire, the papers said.

None of the three other men named in the documents has been charged because prosecutors said they don’t have enough evidence.

LINK TO ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://nypost.com/2014/07/12/accused-slumlord-killer-gives-cops-details-on-murder/ 

Linus Constantine

Police are still awaiting forensic tests results to determine whether a decomposed body found on Marisule beach on April 15 is that of 18-year-old youth leader, Linus Constantine, who has been missing for close to three months. This is according to Police Commissioner, Vernon Francois who said recently that the matter is still inconclusive.

“We have done finger printing, dental works and forensic work is now being done. From where we are at this time, it is still inconclusive to determine whether he is the person found at Marisule beach,” the commissioner explained.

Meanwhile, the mother of the missing teen, Juliana Goolaman, claims that she was denied a meeting with National Security Minister Victor Phillip La Corbiniere and other senior security officials.

Goolaman told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) in an interview on (July 1) that her daughter had made a request on her behalf, to meet with La Corbiniere during the first week of June. A date was set for both parties to meet, however, that meeting was later cancelled.

The distraught mother said she also requested to meet with Francois. Goolaman said she visited the commissioner’s office herself and was asked to leave a number and a name. However, she was never contacted by anyone regarding that request.

However, the commissioner said recently, “I am a highly available person, we would have been happy to deal with that. I would be happy to speak with them; I don’t have a problem with that.”

Goolaman told SNO that she continues to get push-around by police officials whenever she tries to get an update into the DNA reports, regarding her son’s case.

In a previous interview, Goolaman had accused the Royal St. Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) of playing “cat and mouse “with the investigation into her missing son.

The mother said she wants some closure to the issue and is urging the police force to fast-track the test. Constantine was officially reported missing on April 27.

He is originally from Foriesterre, Castries but had three homes. He was last known to be staying by a friend in Corinth, Gros Islet.

Danny Theophane

Police have made a breakthrough in the homicide of Danny ‘Cocoy’ Theophane of Conway, Castries.

On Wednesday, July 23, Laurie Phillip, 22, of La Clery, Castries was brought to court in connection with Theophane’s death. He was formally charged on Saturday, July, 19.

Theopane, 19, was shot as he walked in the vicinity of the Soufriere bus stop on Carl Crescent Street at about 11:20 p.m. on Friday, July 11.

He ran and collapsed by the St. Lucia Marketing Board where he died.

A post mortem examination conducted on Theophane’s body on July 15 revealed the teen died of hemorrhagic shock secondary to gunshot wounds.

Police Chief Vernon Francois

Police Commissioner Vernon Francois has claimed that the Royal St. Lucia Police Force was invited to take part in the recent US “Trade winds” military exercise, despite having not participated in the event.

Francois told a media conference recently that he has correspondence to prove that the police force was invited and its non-attendance was in no way in relation to a ban.

According to him, the military exercise had some fiscal issues, which needed to be ironed out and it was a last-minute rush to facilitate the training. However, it was widely reported that St. Lucia was excluded from a list of countries that participated in the June 1-10 multi-national military exercise in Antigua.

A statement from the United States Embassy in Barbados did not mention St. Lucia, which hosted the event last year, as taking part in this year’s exercise. The paramilitary training brought together more than 300 law enforcement officers, military personnel and government representatives from the Caribbean. Seventeen partner nations took part in the initiative.

Tradewinds focuses on increasing regional co-operation to counter illicit trafficking and build the capacity of participating nations to plan and execute complex multi-national security operations.

Last year, the United States suspended assistance to the Royal St Lucia Police as a result of allegations of serious human rights violations which occurred between 2010 and 2011.

The allegations included claims of extra-judicial police slayings which the government is currently investigating with the help of a team of police officers from Jamaica.

A senior law enforcement official said the US decision will result in “serious gaps” in the technical and management training given to members of the Royal St Lucia Police Force, especially at a time when senior officers are either resigning or retiring. According to the official, those gaps will become evident in the long-term.

Bus driver Gregg

A mini-bus driver is nursing a black and blue eye and cuts and bruises after refusing to give a strange man $2.

Bryan Gregg, who operates a mini-bus on the La Croix to Castries route (Route 3A), told St Lucia News Online (SNO) on Wednesday, July 23, that he was second in line to leave the city on Saturday, when a man came up to him and requested $2.

Gregg said by refusing to give the man the money, he was attacked.

“After refusing to do so, he pushed me down on a chair. I didn’t bother to fight back because I didn’t want trouble,” he told SNO.

Gregg said the man went on to remove his hat from his head. After that incident, Gregg said the man disappeared, but it wasn’t long after that he returned with the intention of hurting him.

“I didn’t see him, but he was behind the bus and as I was going to enter my bus; he attacked me with a piece of wood that had nails all over it.”

Gregg said the man started lashing him about his face, which led to him sustaining an injury to his eye. He also received cuts and bruises to his hands. The man used the same wood to lash the front window screen of Gregg’s mini-bus, which was damaged beyond repair.

The 50-year-old man however managed to take away the wood, but the strange man later escaped. The matter was reported to the police. Gregg was taken to a local hospital for treatment by an ambulance. He is now at home nursing his injuries.

The bus driver claims that his attacker is known as “Cook “and last lived in Cul De Sac. He said people at the bus park know of his whereabouts, but have refused to tell the police his exact location. The man has gone into hiding since the incident. He was recently released from prison.

Gregg said he has been operating his route for over eight years but never encountered such an incident. The man said he hopes that the police find the perpetrator and that he is placed behind bars.

“I never had problem with this guy…I hardly know him,” the bus driver told SNO.

Nerville Ferdinand

A man from southeast St. Lucia and considered “armed and dangerous” is being sought by the Toronto Police Service for attempted murder.

Nerville Ferdinand, 19, of a Toronto address but from Mon Repos, Micoud in St. Lucia, is alleged to have shot a man inside a home in the Bathurst Street and College Street area on Friday, July 18, 2014, the Toronto Police Service stated in a news release.

“It is alleged that he [Ferdinand] was involved in an argument with a man inside the home. The argument escalated to the point where the man produced a handgun from his bag. The man pointed the firearm and shot another man. The man was rushed to hospital by ambulance,” police said in the news release.

The police also cautioned the public not to approach Ferdinand.

“If anyone sees Nerville Ferdinand, do not approach him. Call 9-1-1. He is considered armed and dangerous,” police said.

Ferdinand is described as black, 5’7″, 160 lbs., brown eyes, with a short black afro hairstyle.

Zane Pierre aka Tibar

A reputed gang leader from Castries has been formally charged in connection with the shooting death of 19-year-old Danny ‘Cocoy’ Theophane of Conway, Castries.

Zane Pierre, aka Tibar, of Wilton’s Yard, Castries is expected to appear in court this morning with his alleged accomplice. He was charged yesterday evening for aiding and abetting the murder.

Pierre, 31, is the second person charged for Theophane’s murder.

On Saturday, July 19, 2014, 22-year-old Laurie Phillip of La Clery, Castries was charged for the homicide of Theophane. He appeared before the court on Wednesday, July 23 and was remanded into custody. He is scheduled to make another court appearance before the First District Court in Castries on Thursday, July 24, 2014.

It is alleged that Phillip is suspected to be associated with a notorious gang operating in the Castries area. Pierre is the alleged leader of that gang.

Theopane, 19, was shot as he walked in the vicinity of the Soufriere bus stop on Carl Crescent Street at about 11:20 p.m. on Friday, July 11. He ran and collapsed by the St. Lucia Marketing Board where he died.

Zane ‘Tibar’ Phillips and Laurie Phillips (face covered) appearing in court.

Two men, charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Danny ‘Cocoy’ Theophane of Conway, Castries, appeared in a Castries court today, July 24.

Zane “Tibar” Pierre, 31, of Wilton’s Yard, Castries and 22-year-old Laurie Phillip of La Clery, Castries were remanded at the Bordelais Correctional Facility until October 3, 2014.

Pierre is the alleged leader of a notorious gang in Castries and Phillip is believed to be an associate. Pierre was charged yesterday, July 23 while Phillips was charged last Saturday.

Theopane was shot and killed at about 11:20 p.m. on Friday, July 11.

Theopane, 19, was shot on Carl Crescent Street, Castries at about 11:20 p.m. on Friday, July 11.

PRESS RELEASE – Saint Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) has launched a campaign aimed at encouraging customers to update their LUCELEC account information.

The initiative has two main objectives. First, updated customer information will make it easier for LUCELEC to contact customers with useful information about their account and how to better interface with the services the company offers. Secondly, this will facilitate the introduction of e-services including on-line bill payments directly to the company.

Customers have been provided with various options to update their account information. These include via the company’s website, www.lucelec.com where an “Update to Upgrade” app takes customers to a residential or business form for updating their information.

Customers can also update their information by completing forms at any of LUCELEC’s customer service offices in Rodney Bay, Sans Souci, Vieux-Fort and Soufriere, as well as at most locations where customers generally pay their bills including Bill Express at Super J Supermarkets, SurePay, some Credit Unions and some banks.

LUCELEC’s Customer Service Manager Jennifa Flood-George says, “The important data customers will need include name, LUCELEC account number which can be found on the bill, billing address, telephone numbers, email address and NIC number. For business customers we want them to include their location ID as well which is also found somewhere towards the middle right portion of the bill.”

Mrs Flood-George says the importance of this campaign cannot be overstated.

“As a general rule, it is important that we have the most up to date information for customers. Beyond that though, the company is getting ready to introduce online access to customer accounts. Customers will need a user account to facilitate this and the updated customer information will be necessary for setting up these user accounts. These online accounts would allow customers to review their payment and consumption history, make requests for certain services, and pay bills online and directly to LUCELEC, without having to come into our offices and take a line,” explains Mrs Flood-George.

The LUCELEC Customer Service Manager adds that customers will also have the option of receiving their bills electronically thereby making the correct email address critical.

Marlon Deterville, a 37-year-old national of St. Lucia, was this week ordered to pay the court $10,000 forthwith or serve three years in prison, for having 2,019 grams of marijuana with intent to supply.

Magistrate Zoila Ellis-Browne handed down the penalty at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, on Monday.

Deterville had pleaded not guilty when he initially appeared in court in January of this year, but changed his plea to guilty when he returned to court last Friday July 18. Sentencing was adjourned to Monday.

Deterville was arrested on January 20 of this year, during a joint operation by the local Coast Guard and the Rapid Response Unit (RRU).

The facts presented in the court revealed that the lawmen were on patrol of the North Leeward area, when they saw two men, including Deterville, standing on the Duvellet Beach. On recognizing the Coast Guard approaching, the men started to run, and the police gave chase.

During the chase, Deterville dropped a knapsack he was carrying. It was retrieved by the lawmen, and they found Deterville hiding in some bushes. He was brought back to where the knapsack was retrieved. It was searched, during which two taped packages were found, which when cut open revealed the marijuana.

Up to press time on Wednesday, his companion was not found.

Deterville who was not represented by a lawyer, had not paid the fine up to press time.

McVane (left) and James

Two people are nursing gunshot wounds after persons invaded their Hospital Road, Castries home around midnight while they slept.

The couple – Liana James of Manuel Street, Castries and Andre McVane of Hospital Road – are reported to be in stable condition.

Reports are that at about 12:50 a.m. two gunmen entered the couple’s room and fired about two shots.

James, a mother of two, was hit in the right breast and arm while her boyfriend sustained a wound to the side of his back. James’ children were not at home at the time of the shooting.

The shooting occurred near a cemetery in the community.

Residents have told St. Lucia News Online that a gang war is currently raging between factions from the cemetery side of Hospital Road and Faux-A-Chaud.

The war has resulted in two deaths recently. Several more were killed last year.

The most recent victims are:

- 30-year-old Vinton “Tanny” Clement of Faux-A-Chaud, Castries, who was shot near the “slums/slabs” in Faux-A-Chaud on Saturday, July 11, 2014 at about 11:20 p.m. when two masked gunmen entered the area firing randomly. A 19-year-old, Akim George of Hospital Road, Castries, has been charged in connection with Clement’s death.

- 27-year-old Shervon Chris Alexis aka “Chunky” in Faux-A-Chaud, Castries, who was shot at about 11:30 p.m. on June 11, 2014 while he sat near the entrance of his house in the slums/slab at Faux-A-Chaud. No one has been charged for his death to date.

- 15-year-old Christopher Henry aka Simon of Hospital Road was shot on Tuesday, July 22 walking with a friend along Inner Relief Road Bridge at about 8:05 p.m. He was shot in the leg.

Romel

The teen that went missing over the weekend was found this morning at about 7:00 near his home in Sans Souci, Castries.

Veronica Bonnett, the mother of 18-year-old Romel Bonnett, told St. Lucia New Online (SNO) that her son was discovered in a frail condition and needed medical attention.

She said Romel had not eaten since Sunday, but she was reluctant to provide more information on her son’s discovery.

However, a source told SNO that Romel was found dehydrated and had made contact with a family member prior to being found.

A relative, who wished not to be named, thanked everyone who aided in his discovery: ”The family would like to thank all those who supported and would like to thank the media for the input.”

It is believed that Romel went missing sometime between 10 p.m. on Sunday, July 20 and 6 a.m. Monday, July 21.

Veronica had said she last saw Romel on Sunday evening at around 10 p.m. However, she only discovered he was missing on Monday morning.

Romel had left his keys and cellular phone behind. She also claimed that she was unaware of reasons surrounding his disappearance. Veronica had told SNO that Romel blocked relatives from his Facebook page.

Romel wrote examinations last month at the Sir Arthur Community College where he read for a diploma in business management.

A missing person’s report was made with the police on Wednesday.

The two people, who sustained gunshot wounds after gunmen invaded their Hospital Road, Castries home on Friday July 25, while they slept, have been released from hospital.

The couple – Liana James of Manuel Street, Castries and Andre McVane of Hospital Road – are said to be recuperating.

Two gunmen entered the couple’s room around 12:50a.m Friday last and fired about two shots.

James, a mother of two, was hit in the right breast and arm while her boyfriend sustained a wound to the side of his back. James’ children were not at home at the time of the shooting.

The shooting occurred near a cemetery in the community.

Residents have told St. Lucia News Online that a gang war is currently raging between factions from the cemetery side of Hospital Road and Faux-A-Chaud.

The body of a man that was found floating in the Castries River, on Friday July, 18 is yet to be identified.

Police Public Relations Officer Aniel Innocent told St Lucia News Online (SNO) today July 28 that despite efforts to have the body identified, they have been unsuccessful thus far. It is unclear whether a post mortem was conducted on the body.

Photos of the dead man were distributed to various media houses, who reported the story, but no one has come forward to identify the body.

The body was discovered in the water near the Vieux Fort bus stand. A bus driver had told SNO that the man was earlier seen in the river drinking the water and throwing water on himself. Minutes later he was seen floating and the police was called.

He was then removed from the water and eventually pronounced dead. Another eyewitness said no one really suspected anything suspicious. “The guy was playing all the time in the water. Nobody took him serious. Don’t know if he was trying to kill himself all the time,” a source said.

“It’s so sad because no one took him serious. I was deh. The police stood there for so long before going into the water,” the eyewitness added. “No one did CPR on the guy, just chest compressions.”

Gunmen escaped with over $700 worth of stocks and three cell phones from Rod’s Sports Bar at Old Victoria Road, Castries on Saturday, July 26.

Rod Alexander, owner of the bar, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today, July 28 that the masked men entered his shop with long guns at about 1 a.m and robbed his two cousins, who were attending to the shop during his absence.

The disturbed shop owner said the men took all of his hot drinks, Red Bull, cigarettes and $80 in cash.

“This is the first time anything like this has happened. I have been in business for over 20 years and nothing like this happened before,” Alexander explained.

“We have made reports to the Criminal Investigation Unit (CID) but because of lack of evidence and because we cannot identify the men, nothing came out of the report,” Alexander told SNO.

Alexander further stated: ” I don’t feel safe. I am not sure if they wanted to rob my shop or they were after me. I have to watch my back from now on.”

He further explained that persons around the neighborhood recalled seeing a gold van parked in the area without a number plate hours before the robbery.

Stephen Joseph is accused of stabbing Felicity Florton multiple times. He is out on bail.

Pavee stab victim Felicity Florton is on the road to recovery, her mother Heather Charles told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) yesterday, July 28.

“She is still in a lot of pain but there have been no further complications…,” Charles explained.

The mother further stated that Florton has been receiving counselling from a guidance counsellor at her school in efforts to put the tragic moment behind.

Charles told SNO that she is still faced with an EC$4,000 hospital bill, but was advised by an officer dealing with the matter to present the bills at the next court hearing.

Florton, a 15-year-old George Charles Secondary School student, was stabbed multiple times in Pavee, Castries by 18-year-old Stephon Joseph of Pavee, Castries on Thursday, June 12.

“No one from Joseph’s family tried to make any contact with me, no mother, father or anyone in connection with the matter,” Charles said.

Joseph is expected to make a next court appearance on August 9.

The three men who were arrested in connection with the Sandal Halcyon attack have been released.

Police Public Relations Officer Aniel Innocent told St. Lucia News Online today that the suspects were released over the weekend.

However, Innocent said one of the men were charged with the possession of marijuana.

SNO understands that a notorious criminal was among the three men held in custody in connection with the July 18 armed attack.

It is alleged that the man could have been the mastermind for several other robberies over the years.

Reports are that armed men stormed the accounts office of the hotel and held up a female employee.

No one was injured in the attack and no cash was stolen.

Police nabbed the suspects minutes after the crime.

Soufriere residents are now fearful after a series of gunshots rang out in their neighborhood last night.

It has been confirmed that the gunshots were part of a shootout between police and gunmen in the area.

A senior police officer from the Soufriere Police Station, who did not provide a full name, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the station received a call at about 10:30 p.m. about a disturbance on the River Side Road and responded within minutes.

On arrival, the police met a group of men who were armed with guns. It was reported that the policemen attempted to execute their duties, but were barred from doing so. This allegedly resulted in an exchange of gunshots between the police and the men.

It is unclear whether anyone was arrested in connection with the shooting.

The police inspector said he cannot provide any more details relating to the incident.

A Soufriere resident said the shots woke her up.

“I thought I was dreaming,” she told SNO. “But some people confirmed. It transpired near the basketball court, Boulevard Street, Soufriere.”

The resident said “word is that the police fired the shots”.

Photos of the suspected bandits who broke enter Cox and Company Building this morning, burglarising a law chambers. If you have any information on the suspects, please contact the nearest police station.

The owners and employees at George and Company law chambers on Cadet Street, Castries  and the Ministry of Housing are reeling from the loss of over $5,000 in electronics after their offices were burglarised in the wee hours of Tuesday morning (July 29, 2014).

However, they are somewhat comforted in the fact that the perpetrators have been caught on tape.

An employee at George and Company, who chose to remain anonymous, told Saint Lucia News Online (SNO) that surveillance cameras recorded the incident and clearly show the faces of the two men who burglarised the law firm.

The incident occurred sometime after 2 a.m.

The office was ransacked by the men who had forced their way into the building. Among what was stolen were two laptops, a hard drive, cell phones and petty cash.

The employee said they received a call about the incident earlier this morning.

George and Company law chambers is housed in the Cox and Company building which also has several other offices and businesses including the Ministry of Housing and Combined Insurance.

It is believed that the burglars targeted the entire building and also robbed the Ministry of Housing. Their attempts to burglarise the Combined Insurance business were unsuccessful.

“They tried to get into the insurance building but they couldn’t get in … so they just happened to be right in front the camera… and it picked them up,” the employee said.

Meanwhile, Chief Housing and Urban Renewal Officer at the Ministry of Housing, Jenny Daniel, confirmed to SNO that the office was also ransacked. A laptop and office supplies, which include thumb drives, are among items which are missing, she said. A total value has not yet been placed on them.

According to her, the ceiling was damaged by the alleged perpetrators. A lock was also removed from a door which led to the office bathroom.

Police have done some investigations at the scene and are looking into the matter, the employee said.

Finger prints samples have been taken.

“They have the pictures as well,” the employee added.

Persons with information on the suspects in the photo are asked to contact the nearest police station.

Photos of the suspected bandits who broke enter Cox and Company Building this morning, burglarising a law chambers. If you have any information on the suspects, please contact the nearest police station.

A resident said Soufriere is now being overrun by criminal gangs comprising young men.

A resident of Soufriere, reflecting on last night’s shooting, said he believes it may have stemmed from gang activity.

The resident, who requested anonymity, explained that the incident happened a few feet away from his home. According to the man, his girlfriend related the story to him, as he was not at home at the time of the incident.

“The police were after a gang of masked gunmen,” the resident told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today.

He said there were at least three to four masked gunmen, who were being chased by the police. The bandits escaped by crossing over the river closest to the Palmiste Road, while the police were on the other side of the river on Wingsville Road.

“They found an opening by my yard, which they chose to hide. Little that they knew I had a dog and the dog kept barking. The masked gunmen opened fire at the police who were on the other side of the river. There were multiple gunshots right under my bedroom window,” he said.

The resident told SNO that he is of the belief that the police did not return fire, because if the police did, then his home would have been riddled with bullets or might have resulted in casualties. However, the gunmen managed to escape and luckily no one was injured, including his girlfriend who witnessed the incident.

Questioned as to whether there were any such incidents before, the resident said: “When things of that nature happens in Soufriere you don’t really hear it on the news because we had an armed robbery on that same road a little higher up and you still can’t hear that on the news. Just about two months ago we had shots being fired almost in that same neighborhood.”

Asked whether he feels safe as a resident given the increasing number of criminal activities in the area, the man said: “I am somebody from the community and I probably might feel comfortable, but it is not a safe area as of lately. It is the young fellas that are going up there and falling by the waste side. A lot of young boys from the block, basically they have all kind of things in their waist. As a resident I would feel safe, but is not a safe way to walk.”

The source told SNO that outsiders should always be on the lookout because they could be attacked at any point.

“If you not from the area, people would just watch you like you coming to destroy them and they would probably come and destroy you first.”

He said it is no secret that the area is known to have a few criminal gangs, comprising mainly young men who rob people.

“Just recently there was a gang war between one community and the Palmiste gang and a gang from the golf, and that end up in bloodshed where they had to transport one gentleman to Castries via a boat because the bridges were out,” he added.

He expressed sadness over the way in which these gangs operate, stating that they tend to break up street limes and parties.

“They always wait when they have a good time, like when people celebrating, like Carnival or disco, they wait then to attack the other party,” he disclosed.

The resident believes that the issue is beyond government’s control and it has a lot to do with the new culture of gangs being created in Soufriere and generally on the island.

“This issue has nothing to do with government, but the youths are to be blamed. They have to get up and go and look for work because if they sit down at their homes or on the block, nobody will come and get them. They have to get up and get it,” he asserted.

The concerned resident said he would like to see more Soufriere youths taking part in different work programmes and give up violence.

“They would just sit on the block and do illegal stuff because maybe it is bigger cash for them, but they can get up and go look for a job and earn a living by the right way… they don’t do it. They always wait on the government to provide and even when it’s there for them they still not going.”