Vernon Fracois. Photo credit: nationnews.com.

GIS - Police Commissioner Vernon Francois, during his end of year address, commended the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) and Saint Lucian citizens for their collaborative effort to fight crime in 2014.

According to Commissioner Francois, the RSLPF achieved greater visibility within local communities through the success of several police initiatives.

“We were able to exceed our target of quarterly community town hall meetings with the Commissioner and senior level officials of the force,” he said. “The town hall meetings were convened in Micoud, Soufriere, Laborie, Grace and La Resource, Dennery and provided the executive of the force and locally based officers with the opportunity to interact with various communities around the island.”

Mr. Francois said the RSLPF will continue to confront crime through a focus on technology and intelligence driven police methods.

He also noted that 2014 saw a reduction in major categories of crime, such as murders, burglaries, sexual offences, vehicle theft and fireman offences.

“This has resulted in an overall reduction in reported crime and increased detection rate over the last year. It is also important to note that there has been a downward trend in murders since 2010.”

Commissioner Francois emphasised that the RSLPF will continue in its quest to provide a more professional and better quality of police service.

Gale Dariah

A missing man who returned home yesterday evening (Saturday, Jan. 17) with an injured knee, two days after his bullet-riddled car and a bloody t-shirt were found in Belair, has said he narrowly escaped the trap of heavily-armed gunmen.

Gale Dariah, 30, also known as Zack and Fancy U, showed up at his house at about 7 p.m. on Saturday to the surprise of everyone, family members have told St. Lucia News Online (SNO). He was accompanied by a male friend.

“I saw him limping and it (his knee) was bandaged,” a relative told SNO.

According to relatives, Dariah explained that on Thursday night he was driving along the Sarrot public road, heading to Vanard, when he observed a car following him.

As a result, Dariah said he slowed his car and signalled to the trailing driver to overtake, but the pursuing car also slowed down, without overtaking him.

This aroused Dariah’s suspicion, prompting him to drive faster. Instead of heading to Vanard, Dariah reportedly changed his direction to the community of Belair, with hopes of evading the suspicious car.

Upon reaching Belair, Dariah reportedly said several shots were fired from the trailing car. One bullet hit the back windshield and about two in the gas tank cover area of the car. During the pursuit, Dariah was reportedly forced to stop the vehicle after his car’s CV joint broke due to the rough, pot-hole-filled road.

After stopping the vehicle, Dariah escaped in the nearby bushes and banana plantation as the gunmen continued firing – up to 17 shots – in his direction. He could not identify the shooter/s because it was dark.

Dariah reportedly told relatives he threw his shirt while he fled. The bloody t-shirt was found on a tree. He lost his cell phone and injured his knee during the escape.

Relatives said Dariah hid until he felt it was safe to return home. A source said a man had called a relative from an unknown number Saturday afternoon, informing the relative that he (Dariah) is fine. The source said the man hung up before the relative could say anything further.

“They were not sure if it was Gale so they didn’t make an alarm because anyone could call and say it’s Dariah,” the source added.

Dariah showed up at his home several hours later.

Several residents of Belair have told SNO of hearing multiple gunshots Thursday evening around 9 p.m. Dariah’s relatives got the call at about 10 p.m. that his vehicle was discovered, abandoned in Belair.

“The car was found parked on the left side of the road, facing Coolie Town,” a source told SNO. “The left door was open and he was nowhere to be found. They noticed the car had gunshot holes on the right side of the car.”

A relative told SNO that though Dariah is known to be troublesome, he is not a drug dealer.

Though Dariah is alive and well, family members are concerned about his safety, believing the perpetrators may still be looking for him.

Dariah’s vehicle is at the Marigot Station.

This news also comes a day after SNO received numerous reports that Dariah was discovered dead in Marc, Bexon on Saturday. However, Marigot Police Station, which is spearheading investigations, had told SNO that the rumours were unfounded. Dariah’s family members also confirmed receiving the rumours about the dead body, but are now relieved that it was false.

Police officers at the scene of the fatal shooting of 42-year-old Julian “Jileure” Isidore of Cacao, Babonneau in late September, 2014.

Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony has announced that St. Lucia experienced a “fourth consecutive year of reduction in the number of homicides” as well as a decrease in major crimes.

In his New Year’s Address on Sunday evening, Dr. Anthony said 34 homicides were committed in 2014, but “any loss of life is regrettable”.

“One homicide is already one too many. We must be resolute in our efforts to continue the downward trend in the number of homicides in fair Helen,” he said.

The government leader added that the police force recorded “a reduction in the volume of major offences, including motor vehicle theft, burglary and sexual offences”. He called on the nation to “pray for a more harmonious, tranquil and peaceful 2015″.

Dr. Anthony said the police must be commended for its work in 2014, especially in its social outreach.

He said: “Law enforcement officials built or renovated houses for needy persons in Babonneau and Choiseul. The police commissioner hosted an island-wide series of school lectures and visits as well as town hall meetings and appearances on a number of radio programmes. While it is important to educate the general public on the work of the Police Force, it is equally important for the police to hear our citizens, in order to make policing more relevant to the community. There have also been specific interventions in some of our more troubled areas to minimise the incidence of gang-related activities.”

Touching on road fatalities, the prime minister said 21 fatal motor vehicle accidents were recorded for 2014 year, the same as the previous year.

He said the nation is already off to a “bad start”, referring to last week’s Bexon Highway crash in which two adults and two children died.

“It is particularly traumatic when the victims are children, as was the case a few days ago. Our condolences, prayers and sympathy go out to the families of this recent tragedy. We really need to re-institute programmes of road safety to deal with the carnage on our roads,” he said.

Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony plans to release the findings of an investigation into alleged extra-judicial killings by certain members of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), early next month.

In his New Year’s Address on Sunday, the prime minister said “unfortunately” this matter “must be brought to conclusion in the days ahead”.

“I wish to confirm that the Government of Saint Lucia has received the report from the Team of Investigators. I confirm as well that the Cabinet of Ministers is deliberating on the contents and implications of the report. This address is not the occasion to share the findings with you but I intend to do so in a separate address in early February,” he said.

Members of the Force were accused of the extra-judicial killings between 2009 and 2011, during Operation Restore Confidence.

The United States had used the incident to cut back on aid to St. Lucia. In August 2013, the United States officially informed the St. Lucia government that Washington had suspended assistance to the RSLPF, citing human rights violations.

A ban was also placed on all St. Lucian police officers, including its chief Vernon François, who was,  about a year ago, prevented from travelling to the United States to represent regional police commanders at a Conference of Black Police Officers in the United States.

A team of police officials from Jamaica was appointed to investigate the alleged police killings.

In what residents and several sources have called a “drug war,” shots were fired in a house in New Extension, Micoud last Friday night. No one was injured.

Residents told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that on Friday, some time after 11 p.m., two young men, reportedly non-nationals, fired two shots in a one-bedroom plywood house in the community.

Residents believe the house fired on, was not the intended target.

“They believe it was (name removed) house but it was the home of a neighbour,” a source said.

According to residents, a man, believed to be in his 40′s, was at home when the shots were fired.

He was reportedly seated on a chair when one shot penetrated his wooden building and landed in the glass window of another house. The other shot landed in a chair, which he usually occupied.

“Luckily he had not sat on it yet,” the resident said. Residents believe the gunmen are non-nationals and are linked to a resident in the ghetto of New Extension.

Information reaching SNO is that the police was seen at the home of a female in New Extension in what appeared to be a search.

Residents also told SNO that shots were fired at three brothers by a non-national over drugs, at about 1 a.m. on Friday.

“This happened … very close to my home, so close that the shoots echoed in my bedroom,” one resident said.

No one has been arrested.

A 2004 model Toyota Corolla (white), registration number PB26, was was stolen this morning.

The vehicle’s most distinctive feature is a split at the bottom centre of the front bumper.

If anyone has seen this vehicle, please contact the following numbers: 285-6828, 285-2182, 485-2182, 488-4879 and 453-6162.

A St. Lucian working in the New York City Police Department (NYPD) has been charged with patronising a prostitute.

Police Officer Abel James, 34, who was formally charged on Sunday, is originally from Micoud, St. Lucia, reliable sources have told St. Lucia News Online.

James was a top football player from Micoud. He migrated to North America many years ago and was reportedly on island several weeks ago, sources said.

According to the New York Daily News, James was caught in a Brooklyn prostitution sting near East New York.

Quoting a source, the Daily News said though James’ involvement with the prostitute were not immediately made public, the charges stemmed from an NYPD Internal Affairs investigation.

James was reportedly processed at the 75th Precinct where he was given a desk appearance ticket and sent home.

He is scheduled to appear in court in a few weeks.

Residents gather to see the body of a farmer who was shot dead in October 2014 in Fond St. Jacque. No one was ever arrested for the crime. A second body was also found in the area.

Statistics produced by the Royal St Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has shown a 5.5 percent increase in crime, specifically petty offences.

The Annual Crime Statistics Report 2014 stated that a total of 20,084 incidents of crime were reported to the police last year.

There were reductions in all major categories of crime including murders, with the exception of robberies.

There were 15 murders in Castries, one in Dennery, two in Anse La Raye, two in Vieux Fort, one in Choiseul, three in Gros islet, one in Micoud, two in Babonneau and two in Soufriere.

The police were able to detect 14.47 per cent of the murders committed, while 16.53 per cent remain undetected.

There were 15 murders from gunshots, 11 using sharp objects, three caused by blunt trauma and one other. Most of the people murdered were between the 31-40 age-group, followed by the 21-30 age group.

There were also 24 reported cases of unlawful sexual connection, 74 cases of indecent sexual assault, eight cases of buggery and five cases of incest recorded in 2014.

However, crime against property increased from 4,703 in 2013 to 5,337 in 2014, while summary offenses also grew from 8,105 in 2013 to 9,729 in 2014.

Further, there was a 54 per cent detection rate in firearm offences. There was also an increase in the number of recovered firearms and ammunition in 2014, compared to 2013.

Meanwhile, the police were able to detect 86 per cent of drug offences, with unlawful possession of cannabis being the highest. The police also destroyed  112,445 marijuana grown plants and 83,866 seedlings.

Rodney Bay Marina (St.Lucia).

The Rodney Bay Marina has tightened its security, following a spate of break-ins and robberies, an official said.

St. Lucia News Online (SNO) understands that these incidents have been reported to the police and are currently under investigation.

It is unclear how many break-ins there were and when these break-ins and robberies occurred.

However, the marina’s management team has discussed the situation and plans to put a number of new systems in place.

While several recommendations were made, nothing is concrete yet. There were however discussions about putting security at the main dock security gate, among others.

Reports are that there is already a large security presence during the evenings within the marina.

In a Caribbean Safety & Security Net post it said a general meeting will be held between cruisers, management, police and security, to work out the upgraded security protocols.

When contacted for a comment today, Operations Manager Sean Devaux declined to comment, saying that the matter will be discussed first, before an official statement is made.

Police are investigating a wounding incident that occurred in Cabiche, Babonneau at about 7:30 this morning (Jan. 22).

Reports are that a young man was chopped on the right arm and has been hospitalised at Victoria Hospital.

The suspect has not been arrested. Police sources said there is no evidence to suggest at this time that the suspect is mentally challenged.

St. Lucia News Online will provide more information when it becomes available.

CMC  - The United States Military Southern Command says strengthening capabilities, interoperability and information sharing to effectively counter transnational organised crime in the Caribbean will be the focus again for military and civilian leaders from 21 countries.

The Miami-based Southern Command, otherwise known as Southcom, said international security leaders who met here earlier this week, discussed the threat and ways to effectively reduce the presence and impact of organised crime.

This was the fifth consecutive year the topic was the central theme of the Caribbean Nations Security Conference (CANSEC), “underscoring the importance of the issue for regional leaders and their commitment to addressing it by working together”, Southcom said.

CANSEC XIII, co-hosted this year by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) and Southcom, included more than 90 participants representing defence, law enforcement, government and international organisations from the Caribbean, North America, South America, Central America, and Europe.

The RBDF commander, Commodore Roderick Bowe, joined US Marine Gen John Kelly, commander of Southcom, in co-hosting the two days of briefings, discussion panels and meetings.

Southcom said Kelly met privately with defence and security counterparts during the event to hear their ideas, concerns and viewpoints, and discuss bilateral defence cooperation goals.

“When it comes to the security of the Western Hemisphere, it doesn’t matter where you’re located on the map. If it’s a challenge faced by one of us, it’s a challenge faced by all of us,” Kelly said.

The meeting which ended on Thursday was attended by officials from Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, France, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, the Netherlands, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, the United Kingdom and the United States.

It examined illicit trafficking trends impacting the Caribbean, as well as the various programmes, activities, mechanisms and systems that support the region’s strategy to counter the threat and its effects.

A woman, who was robbed of her purple Kipling bag containing a cell phone and other items, at the CSA Centre parking lot this afternoon, said the thief has made a daring demand.

“The thief just answered my cell and asked me how much I willing to pay for my bag,” she said.

The woman told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the incident happened at about 2:30 p.m. at the CSA Centre parking area in Sans Souci.

“My bag was in the jeep. As I got out by the driver’s door, to pick up my son at Carmen Rene School, the guy opens the back door and took my bag,” she said, adding that a laptop was stolen from a car in the same area recently.

She said the incident happened “so fast” as the thief quickly removed the bag before she could close the car door and activate the car’s door locks.

About an hour after the incident, she said a young male answered her cell phone – with children being overheard in the background –  and asked for a reward to return the bag. She told the person to meet her the same place he carried out the robbery, but the thief remarked: “You think I stupid.”

He hung up the phone before she could explain further. Calls to the phone, which is locked, have since gone unanswered.

She said the bag contains her driver’s license, keys and an iPhone 5, among other documents. She said her phone contains important photos and videos.

The woman said she has always been very cautious and observant, so it is now shocking that she has become a victim once more.

She is offering a reward but did not say the amount being offered.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The woman’s number and a few personal details have been removed on her request, due to the type of calls she has been receiving. 

Video still image of the incident.

Below is a video of a Grenadian police officer, Corporal Albert Roberts, being beaten by a civilian.

The officer reportedly tried to arrest the man, identified as Jamie Stewart, for a traffic violation.

Please note, that the video contains expletives and violence.

The police officer has been placed on sick leave while Stewart was charged.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL STORY 

Two men were ordered by police to demolish their makeshift apartment on a property on Jeremie Street, Castries this morning at about 11:00.

The property is reportedly owned by the Cox family.

A source said the men were living together.

Two farmers were arrested on Thursday last for being involved in the production of a controlled drug on a plantation at Fond St. Jacques, Soufriere.

The men, identified as Dennyson Willie of Soufriere and John Lawrence of Desruisseaux were jointly charged and are expected to make their first court appearance today.

Over 7,000 cannabis plants, 20,000 seedlings and 300 pounds of dry cannabis were recovered and destroyed in the eradication exercise.

PRESS RELEASE - On Thursday, 22nd January, 2015, the Police conducted an eradication exercise at Fond St. Jacques, situated in the quarter of Soufriere. Whilst there, one cannabis plantation was eradicated.

A total of seven, thousand one hundred and thirty six (7136) plants and twenty thousand, (20,000) seedlings were uprooted and destroyed. Three hundred pounds (300 lbs.) of dried cannabis was also recovered and destroyed at the said plantation.

During the eradication, 35 year old, John E. Lawrence of Desruisseaux, Micoud and 23 year old Dennison Wille of Fond St. Jacques, Soufriere were arrested and charged for the offences of possession of a controlled drug, possession with intent to supplya controlled drug, and cultivation of a controlled drug.

They appeared before the Second District Court in Vieux Fort where they were bailed in the sum of EC$2000 cash or suitable surety on the charge of possession of a controlled drug, EC$2000 cash or suitable surety on the charge of Intent to supply a controlled drug and EC$4000cash or suitable surety on the charge of cultivation of a controlled drug.

A Jamaican national was arrested and charged for possession of marijuana and cocaine.

A police press release issued today said the drug bust was made on Saturday, 24th January, 2015 about 7:45a.m.

Officers attached to the Drug Squad North executed a search warrant on the premises of 38-year- old Jamaican national, Courtney Anthony Samuels aka “Carrots”, at Cap Estate, Gros-Islet, where they found the illegal substances.

During the search the officers recovered a quantity of cannabis and 18 blocks of  cocaine. The cannabis weighed 0.070kgs and the cocaine weighed 19.65kgs.

Samuels was charged for the offences of possession of a controlled drug and possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply. He appeared before the first district court in Castries where he was remanded until Wednesday 11th February, 2015

Meanwhile, a Barbadian couple was allegedly nabbed while attempting to board a LIAT flight to Barbados with 2.8 kilos of what is believed to be cocaine in their possession.

The couple made their first court appearance on Friday January 23, 2015 on the drug related charges. According to the police, the illicit drugs have a street value of $84,000 EC dollars.

The male suspect identified as Ritchie Bonnet pleaded guilty to three charges of possession of controlled drugs, intent to supply to another and attempt to export controlled drugs.

His female companion Maria Shepherd pleaded guilty to possession of controlled drugs and not guilty to the other two charges in the case. The two were remanded in custody pending another court appearance today.

PRESS RELEASE - On Monday, 26th January, 2015, about 2:30p.m.the St Lucia Fire Service responded to a house fire at La Clery, Castries.

Upon arrival, the dwelling house of Benoit Frederick was found engulfed in flames.

A charred body, believed to be that of 59 year old, Benoit Frederick of La Clery, Castries was found in theburnt remains of the dwelling house.

The body was pronounced dead at the Victoria Hospital.

Investigations are continuing into the matter.

PRESS RELEASE - On Wednesday, 28th January 2015 about 1:20a.m officers attached to the Criminal Investigations Department responded to a shooting incident which occurred about 1:00a.m at San Souci, Castries.

Twenty-five-year-old Danny John Degazon of Morne Du Don, Castries attempted to enter the “We First Pre School” situated at San Souci, Castries when he was shot by a security officer.

Degazon sustained gunshot wounds to the left arm and thigh.

He is presently admitted at the Victoria Hospital in stable condition.

Investigations are continuing into the matter.

Three persons have been arrested in relation to the stabbing incident on the Micoud playing field involving two brothers from Mon Repos on Sunday, January 25.

The police suspects that the stabbing stemmed from a girlfriend of one of the victims. However, investigations are continuing.

St. Lucia News Online (SNO) understands that one of the victims, Ted Atkins, who was admitted at St. Jude Hospital with stab wounds to the abdomen is in a stable condition and is recovering.

His brother, Edd Atkins who was also admitted for stab wounds to the back has been released. The brothers were admitted to the hospital following a brawl at a football final between Survivals and El Ninos at the Micoud playing field on Sunday last.

Police had fired shots to disburse the fight. “Even when a police officer separated the fight, one of the guys grabbed a stone in an attempt to hit the police. That’s when the officer drew his weapon and fired a warning shot,” an eyewitness told SNO.

SNO was told that the suspects in Sunday’s incident were also involved in violent conduct during and after a game on Sunday, Jan. 18 in Desruisseaux.