PRESS RELEASE – Crime Prevention Tips is a production of the Press Office of the Royal St Lucia Police Force.

Crime prevention means being aware of your environment and remaining alert to situations that could make you vulnerable to crime. We cannot list specific measures that will protect you from every threatening situation, which may arise.

Instead, we hope to teach you how to think “Crime Prevention” in day-to-day living

“Rape”

Rapists are not always strangers or anonymous attackers. When someone you know – a date, steady boyfriend, casual friend or partner – forces you to have sex it is rape.

According to section 123 of the Criminal Code of Saint Lucia 2008

1)            Any person who has sexual intercourse with another—

(a)          without the consent of that other; or

(b)          without believing that the other consents to such intercourse or is reckless as to whether the other person consents or not, commits the offence of rape

Here are some tips which can lessen your chance of being raped.

1. Do not let alcohol or other drugs decrease or interfere with your ability to take care of yourself and make sensible decisions.
2. Do not accept beverages from someone you don’t know and trust and even if it is from someone you know, always watch your drink and never leave it unattended, at any time.
3. Follow your instincts. If a place or the way your date acts makes you nervous or uneasy, get out. If you need to call a friend to escort you home, don’t hesitate to do so.
4. Do a background check on a first date or a blind date with friends or family. Meet in and go to public places.
5. Don’t leave a social event with someone you have just met or don’t know well.
6. Make use of technology; send details about your date or details about their vehicle to a friend via your smartphone. Sending a picture of your date or their vehicle would really assist with investigations if you do become a victim of rape.
7. Ensure you have enough cash to call a taxi, or, better yet, if you own one, take your own car.
8. Don’t accept ride from strangers and if you do accept a ride from anyone, communicate their description and vehicle description to another individual using your phone.
9. When alone at home, always ensure your entry doors are closed and locked.
10. When responding to a knock or call to your door, ensure that the individual is known to you before opening and if you are not sure, call the police.
11. Entry doors should be fitted with devices which can allow you to see the outside without opening the door (a door scope or peep hole).
12. Enroll in self-defense classes.
13. Employers should have regular briefings with their female staff concerning safety in travelling to and from work.

The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force will do all in its power to investigate and bring to justice, these perpetrators of rape.

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*Not the actual Commissioner of Police hat

The position of Commissioner of Police (COP) is currently being advertised and there may be a few persons applying for this top post both locally and overseas.

The vacancy was first advertised on October 23, 2015 on the Government Information Service (GIS) website and the submission date has now been extended to November 13, 2015.

Errol Alexander, who was elevated to acting Commissioner of Police in March of this year, has not come forward to state whether he plans to apply for the position or not.

Alexander, who served previously as an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), under the leadership of outgoing COP Vernon Francois, has been a police officer for the past 30 years.

He is expected to commence his pre-retirement leave in April of 2016.

Asked whether he thinks someone from overseas should be selected to head the local police force, Alexander declined to comment stating that “I don’t want to prejudice the recruitment process.”

He said while there is no scientific evidence to prove that a foreigner will better serve in that position, he believes that the final decision will be left up to the persons responsible for selecting the next COP.

Alexander was placed as acting COP after Francois was sent on leave following a public address made by Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony on the findings of the IMPACS report.

It was reported that the authorities were looking to send a few senior police officials on early retirement, following the revelations from the report of alleged extra-judicial killings back in 2010-2011.

Francois headed what was dubbed “Operation Restore Confidence” which saw an unprecedented cut down in violent crime, resulting in the fatal shooting of 12 suspects during that same period.

In early September 2015, Francois made a request for early retirement, after months of being sent on leave. The request was forwarded to the Public Service Commission for a decision.

According to the vacancy notice, the applicant must have a master’s degree in management, business administration, Law or a related discipline with at least 8 years experience in a senior management position within a Police Force.

If the application does not possess such qualifications, he/she must have a bachelor’s degree in management or criminal justice plus diploma or certificate in public administration or a related discipline with at least ten (10) years experience in a senior management position within a Police Force.

He/she must also have a minimum of twelve (12) years leadership experience in operational and organizational policy function. It was also noted in the vacancy notice that preference will be given to candidates who have completed a senior command course.

The remuneration package being offered for the post of COP is EC$117,936.00 per annum.

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Left to right: Human Services Minister ALvina Reynolds, Opposition Leader Dr. Gale Rigobert.

Reports that two young females gang-raped by three unknown men on Monday in Rodney Bay, and other recent cases of sexual assault and rape has caused widespread outrage.

Human Service Minister Alvina Reynolds has expressed concerns about the recent incident and said she wants to the perpetrators of this crime to face the full force of the law.

“We are equal partners in this country and one group cannot be seen different or disrespected and violated again and again. This has to stop,” Reynold remarked.

The minister also said now might be the best time to start a conversation on proposing a new legislation, authorizing personal safety weapons for women in St. Lucia.

“I want to think now is the time we begin to speak about how women can protect themselves. Fight back…using pepper spray and other weapons,” Reynolds told HTS News Force.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Dr. Gale Rigobert has also expressed concern over the recent incident, stating that she has no tolerance for it and that the society should adopt the same stance.

“We should take a stance, and the powers that be need to send a strong message to would be rapists that they will feel the full brunt of the law,” Rigobert said.

The opposition leader suggested that government start to allocate adequate resources to all related agencies to make the necessary intervention and help to reduce the high incidence of rape.

Dr. Rigobert also highlighted the need for government to better equip law enforcement, to pursue these matters rigorously, instead of pumping all the resources into the infrastructure sector.

Two females, both 16 years old, were gang-raped by three unknown males on Monday, between 10:00 and10:30 p.m. at an apartment in Reduit Orchard, Rodney Bay.

Police said one male was armed with a gun and the females were also robbed of certain items. The men used their t-shirts to cover their faces, while they raped these young women.

Police have launched an investigation into this matter.

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Devin Charles was also allegdely slapped in the face.

A four-year-old boy from Coolie Town who was recently hospitalized with a fractured ankle and bruises about his body, caused by alleged physical abuse, remains in protective care.

The child’s aunt, Vern Saverin, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today Devin Charles is expected to remain under protective custody for the remainder of the year.

Saverin said that the child’s father, who is accused of physically abusing him, was arrested by police on October 27 and released the following day.

The concerned aunt said Human Services told her that the child will be returned to the mother, either sometime at the end of this year or early next year.

But she said now that the father has been released and is back home, she is afraid if the child returns, the abuse could continue, which may possible lead to something more serious.

Devin was also admitted to Victoria Hospital on October 15 for vomiting blood. He was allegedly stomped in the stomach and other parts of his body.

The child’s father who is alleged to have abused him, was recently released from prison, after serving a six-months sentence for abusing his eldest child, who is 8-years-old.

A report was also made with the police about three years ago, where he had abused another child.

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Raise Your Voice Saint Lucia said it is appalled and horrified at the surge of violent sexual crimes against women and girls, perpetrated by what they described as “aggressive and sadistic males.”

“We condemn in the strongest of terms, the rape of our sisters, who were violated in the sanctity of their homes,” referring to the two young females who were gang-raped in Rodney Bay on Monday.

The organisation said in a statement issued today, “We call the entire society to be intolerant of all forms of sexual violation, whether in the home, the workplace, or in the public.”

Raise Your Voice is also calling on the government to put the safety of women at the very top of their priority list and to ensure that more resources are made available to agencies to fight this issue.

“Recent incidents are an indication that there is no fear in the minds of those who forcefully invade the homes of and violate women in general; that they will be caught and prosecuted,” the organisation noted.

It also believes that violators are aware of the weaknesses in the justice system including the police’s alleged in-ability to investigate and solve sex crimes, due to the lack of resources available to them.

It was further stated that too many cases have gone unreported because victims lack confidence in the justice system, while too many cases are waiting to be processed, and many more are left unsolved.

“Raise Your Voice calls on all “men” to stand up in unity and raise their voices and condemn the actions of those who are committing those heinous crimes against women and girls,” it added.

The organisation is planning a march for November 25 starting at 2:00 p.m. to call on policy makers to provide the necessary training, equipment, personnel and facilities to achieve a reduction of sex crimes.

The march will coincide with observances for International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Details of the march will be announced at a later date.

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Minister Alvina Reynolds

PRESS RELEASE – Minister for Health, Wellness, Human Services and Gender Relations, Hon. Alvina Reynolds has strongly condemned the recent reported gang rape of two young females in an apartment in Rodney Bay. She also referenced the disturbing increase in the number of reported rape cases on island.

“I want to send a strong message out to the men of this country, that enough is enough, that there must be respect for women, there must be that sense of wanting to protect women. We are equal partners in this country and one group cannot be seen as being disrespected and violated again and again.”  Reynolds asserted.

The Gender Affairs Minister added that this latest rape incident provides an opportunity for broad public discussion on how women can protect themselves.

“How can we as women fight back in the sense of protection, pepper spray, mace the conversation must begin. This is the time because we have spoken we have done lots of sessions to sensitize men on their role in terms of working along with women and respecting women but that seems to fall on some death ears. Something else has to happen at this point in time. So amidst the talking there must be action and this is what I am laying on the table today. It is time that we look at and as a Cabinet we will begin to have that discussion for pepper spray and mace and for women to begin to arm themselves with something.” Reynolds said.

She said to have the police everywhere that women are is impossible hence the reason to look at the situation of prevention as opposed to responding after an incident has occurred.

“One, we as women need to be more self aware more vigilant as to what’s happening in our immediate surroundings and secondly, when we are aware how do we protect ourselves? The conversation must start. I am laying this out today that women need to have something more than policing to protect us in this country because it certainly tells me that some people are not hearing. We do have to step up in-terms of responding to women who are becoming victims of rape in this country.” The Health Minister asserted.

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PRESS RELEASE – Caring Hands Foundation would like to take this opportunity to empathize with the two young people who were sexually violated on 3rd November, 2015.

We hope that every effort is made by the relevant authorities to treat and mitigate the impact of this horrendous crime on the lives of the two female students. Treatment and other support services should also be extended to the families, friends and classmates of the young ladies. Very importantly, Caring Hands Foundation hopes the perpetrators are prosecuted and be made to pay for their offences to the full extent of the law.

Caring Hands Foundation is greatly concerned about all acts of sexual violence against all human beings. The occurrence of sexual violence is reflective of a lack of respect, regard and concern for the well-being of the victims. This is because the impact of sexual violence on the victims is both devastating and long-term from an eclectic perspective. In some instances victims become socially, emotionally and psychologically handicapped to the extent that their lives become stagnant.

No excuse can ever be made to justify acts of sexual violence against a fellow human being. Whereas, precautionary measures should be taken to minimize the likelihood of becoming a victim of sexual violence, we should never forget that ultimately the perpetrators of such crimes are the ones to be held responsible for their actions.

Thus, Caring Hands Foundation believes sufficient and appropriate efforts must be invested in rehabilitating sex offenders before reintegrating them back into society.

Also, the necessary programmes and policies must be implemented to change the perceptions, attitudes and actions of individuals especially towards the girls and women of our society.

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A man was hospitalised Saturday night, Nov. 7, 2015 following a shooting at a popular bar in Rodney Bay, Gros-Iset.

Reports are that a young male, known as ‘Focus’, was shot by another male at Verve.

The suspect, who is known, reportedly fired about two shots at the victim. One of the shots allegedly hit the victim in the stomach area.

It was further alleged that one of the shots was targeted at the victim’s head but the gun jammed.

The victim’s condition is unknown at this time.

An eyewitness said in a Facebook post (verbatim): “I was right there when that happen…I aint moving in my house from today…st Lucia isn’t safe…I panicked I didn’t even know where to run….the man had gun pointing towards the running guy withing the small crowd funny God didn’t make him fire random shots…thanking Him for that…ppl no matter how careful we are we can still get innocently injured I’m still in shock though.”

No further details available.

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Cletus Estaphane

PRESS RELEASE – Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of 37 year old, Cletus Estephane of Goodlands, Castries.

On Saturday, November 7, 2015 about 9:45 a.m. officers attached to the Police Marine Unit recovered the body of Estephane off the coast of Cul De Sac Beach in Castries.

He was transported to the Victoria Hospital where he was pronounced dead by a medical doctor.

A post mortem has been scheduled for November 10, 2015.

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* Not the victim’s actual legs.

Relatives of a Cul de Sac shopkeeper who was shot during a robbery say he is now paralyzed from the waist down.

Rufus Pierre, 56, was robbed at gunpoint by three men, who were armed with hand guns.

The perpetrators took a bag during which the businessman was assaulted and shot in the back.

His girlfriend, Georgia Isidore, 42, of the same address was also accosted and robbed by the assailants.

The incident occurred in Cul de Sac, Castries at about 9:18 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2015.

Pierre spent some 18 days at St Jude Hospital after undergoing surgery, but surgeons told family that the man’s spinal cord was shattered and could not be repaired.

The only suspect arrested by the police in relation to this incident has been released from custody.

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* Not actual drugs found in the suitcase.

Some 19 kilos of cocaine was discovered in luggage at the Hewanorra International Airport on Sunday and seized by drug enforcement officials, according to reliable sources.

The illegal substance was found in an unlabeled red suitcase destined for Toronto, Canada on a West Jet flight which was scheduled to leave St. Lucia at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, November 8.

“The bag in question was 90 percent filled with cocaine blocks,” a source told St. Lucia News Online (SNO).

A senior police official confirmed the details, but said the authorities have not made any arrest in this regard.

According to the official, the bag could not be traced to anyone on the flight.

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Special Services Unit (SSU) Inspector Ricardo Innocent has sent out a stern reminder to all persons that the laws pertaining to military camouflage wear are still in effect.

“As it relates to camouflage the Public Order Act states clearly in Section 13 that no one should wear any camouflage material in public,” Innocent said on Police Insight on Sunday.

He also reminded that persons or groups who desire to be attired in camouflage must seek official permission from the Commissioner of Police of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF).

Police Public Relations Officer Zachary Hippolyte questioned whether the law attains only to the material used by police, but the SSU inspector clarified that it doesn’t matter what colour of camouflage it is.

One caller said that she witnessed police officers stripping a man of his camouflage outfit, even though he had explained to the officers that he was not aware that it is prohibited.

But the officers criticized this move, stating that this should not have occurred. The question was then asked what should been done in the case that a person is seen wearing such a material.

“What I would do is give the individual a warning not to wear camouflage and if I recall and I see that same individual, I will proceed into effecting an arrest because it is against the laws,” Innocent said.

The inspector went on to say that the police have been a bit lackadaisical when it comes to this particular law, but noted the time will come when zero tolerance will be placed on persons wearing camouflage.

It was also brought to his attention that camouflage clothes are sometimes sold, and as much as there is a law to prevent persons from wearing the material, there isn’t any law to prevent persons from selling it.

But Inspector Innocent said that while there may be a very few stores engaging in the sale of these materials, he has not come across any and suggested that there might only be a small number.

The Saint Lucia Parliament had passed legislation banning members of the public from wearing camouflage outfits similar to those worn by the police, since July of 2010.

The then Prime Minister Stephenson King, who introduced the measure, had told the House that the police force had been requesting a review of the legislation dealing with the wearing of camouflage by civilians.

It was also noted that the private sector had been importing those outfits and they were worn at carnival time or other occasions, and has become part of “the ordinary man’s dress code.”

As a result, there were occasions when one could not have distinguished the difference between a policeman and a civilian.

Persons found in contravention of that law could be faced with a heavy fine from the court. Failure to pay the fine could result in a jail sentence.

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A man shot in the stomach on Saturday is in a stable condition at the hospital.

Uriah ‘Foucs’ Farrell,18, is being treated for a gunshot wound to his abdomen.

Police said his condition was not thought to be life-threatening.

Officers have launched an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The shooting occurred at 10:06 p.m. at Verve in Rodney Bay.

Reports are that the suspect reportedly fired about two shots at the victim and left immediately after.

Officers arrived on the scene and learned that the victim suffered injuries from a single gunshot wound, and he was transported to the hospital for treatment.

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* This is not the actual cell phone

The tensions continue between citizens who choose to film the police in action and law enforcement officers who prefer not to be filmed in action, with the most recent case taking place here in St. Lucia.

A caller on Police Insight aired on Sunday (Nov.8) claims that he was filming a recent accident, when a police officer walked up to him, took his cellphone and “smashed” it.

The caller claims that the phone does not belong to him, but rather it is company property. The unknown caller said he will now have to pay the full cost to replace the cellphone.

“Why did the police take my phone by twisting my hand? What I am saying they could have told me not to record, but they took my cellphone and destroyed it,” he remarked.

However, his complaint was met with concern by the police panel.

Police Press Officer Zachary Hippolyte told the caller that the police officer was wrong to do that and questioned if he ever reported the matter to the station.

The man responded in the negative stating: “What could I do. Nah. Come on, make a report for what, nothing? I cannot take any recourse…But you and I know if I make a report it will go nowhere.”

But Hippolyte defended the force stating that once a report is made, the police will seek to have the matter investigated and not because it was a police officer who wronged him he shouldn’t report it.

“We do not, caller, condone those actions. Every time we tell individuals if a member of the organization in your opinion has done something wrong to you, you have a right to make a report to any station. It is your right,” Hippolyte told the caller.

The police press officer went on to state that it is unfortunate that he has experienced such an incident. “It was a wrong action of the police. In my opinion you can still make a report,” Hippolyte said.

The unidentified man asked Hippolyte if he can assist him, which he agreed to. The caller said he will meet with Hippolyte on Monday and  so he could be directed to the right department, where he can lodge a formal report.

Another caller criticized the action of the police, stating that no police officer have to right to stop someone from filming, but believes that the only concern should be what the film is used for.

On the other hand, persons also said it would be understandable in special circumstances where there is a serious crime and a police request persons not to engage in filming.

But they said to forcefully take someone’s cellphone and damage it, and in some cases threaten the individual, is taking it a step too far and should not be allowed to continue.

This is not the first time law enforcement has forcibly objected to being filmed.

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Police officials are investigating a report that a 16-year-old female was drugged and sexually assaulted by at least two males on Sunday, November 8 at around 10 p.m. in Anse Canot, Dennery.

According to a reliable police source, it is alleged that the teen was given “weed cake” or “weed brownie” before the assault.

The source said the suspects are said to be “known individuals” but no one has been arrested so far because investigators are still putting together the various reports and evidence.

The source said the matter is being investigated by the Vulnerable Persons Team in Vieux-Fort.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a relative told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that according to information gathered, the victim was in the company of an older female, about 21 years old – who claimed to be from another Caribbean island – when the incident occurred.

The relative also alleged that the crime occurred at the home of the older female’s male friend or boyfriend, and there were a total of three males present before the incident occurred.

It is further alleged that the two females were given “weed cake”  to consume by the suspects, who did not eat the cake.

The two females reportedly began to feel dizzy and sick. Before this happened, the three males had already left. They returned shortly after when they believed the effects of the weed cake would kick in – according to the relative, providing information she received from the older female.

The teen reportedly told investigators she was raped/sexually assaulted by two of the males in a room. The teen also reported that she felt weak and was unable to move enough to defend herself.

However, the relative strongly believes the older female was part and parcel of the plot. The relative is not buying the older female’s story to a family member of the victim, that she too was raped or sexually assaulted. The relative also claimed that parts of the older female’s story is not making sense or adding up.

It was also claimed that the teen ran out of the house naked.

“One of the guys ran after her with a cutlass. While he was running after her, she met a vehicle and she told the person in the vehicle that she just got raped and the guy brought her to the police station,” the relative claimed.

Condoms were reportedly found on the floor by investigators.

The police, while confirming that a report was made and the matter is under investigation, declined to divulge or confirm any details of the incident as it was given to SNO.

The lawmen however confirmed that they are investigating allegations that the victim was given weed cake/weed brownie, which she consumed. It is not yet clear if the female knew that the pastry contained the drug before consuming it.

Only recently, two 16-year-old females, believed to be virgins, were gang raped by three unknown men in Reduit Orchard, Rodney Bay. No one has been arrested for this crime.

A veteran police officer was also recently accused of handcuffing and raping a woman at gunpoint. The officer was not arrested but he is currently under investigation.

And a Jamaican security guard was also accused of raping a young girl and harassing another on the Reduit Beach, Rodney Bay on Saturday, October 31.

The police have reported that sexual offences and crimes against persons recorded an increased number of accepted cases.

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A rape victim from Congo, Africa. (Not photo of any rape victims mentioned in the accompanying article).

Police sources have confirmed that at least three females were raped or sexually assaulted in separate incidents over the weekend.

The first cases reportedly occurred in Corinth, Gros-Islet and Marchand, Castries between Friday and Saturday, while the third case occurred in Anse Canot, Dennery on Sunday night.

It was reported that the Corinth victim was raped after two persons broke into her home. They reportedly stole several items.

In the Dennery incident, a 16-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by two men after they gave her ‘weed cake’ to eat.

The police said almost 60 cases of rape have been reported since the start of the year.

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PRESS RELEASE – On Tuesday, November 10, 2015 about 3:45 p.m. Police Constable 867, Michael Henry of Pavee, Castries sustained a stab wound to the left shoulder by two unknown men.

The assailants attempted to grab his gold chain at the intersection of Coral and High-Street, Castries.

Henry was transported to the Victoria Hospital where he was treated and discharged.

Two individuals are presently in custody assisting with investigations.

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Police are investigating reports that a 97-year-old was raped at her home in Mon Repos.

The elderly woman, who lives alone, was reportedly treated at hospital and discharged.

A reliable police source said the woman’s house was burglarised and several items are missing. It is also alleged the woman may have been buggered.

However, while the police have confirmed receiving the reports they are unable to confirm any details.

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PRESS RELEASE – In light of the recent increase in rape and other sexual offences, The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force through its’ Vulnerable Persons Team and Criminal Investigations Department has implemented a new strategy.

The organization is expecting that this new strategy will not only assist in minimizing the occurrence of rape incidents on the island but also increase the arrest rate of offenders.

The Police would like to inform the citizenry that whereas there isn’t any excuse or justifiable reason for one to rape another, it is incumbent on everyone to ensure that they minimize their chances of being vulnerable to rape and other sexual assaults.

The Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, Severin Moncherry has stated:

“No stone will be left unturned as the RSLPF seeks to bring a stop to the attacks by those who prey on vulnerable persons in Saint Lucia.”

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Police sources have confirmed that three males are in custody assisting with the investigations of the gang rape of two teenagers just over one week ago in Rodney Bay, Gros-Islet.

The males, ages 16, 18, 23, are from the Castries inner-city community of Leslie Land, a reliable source told St. Lucia News Online.

The 18-year-old was reportedly the last one to be picked up by police, on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

At least one of the suspect was charged with burglary. The suspects were remanded at Custody Suites and are likely to be charged pending testing of DNA samples, the source added.

Crime Chief Milton Desir confirmed the details at a press conference on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, indicating that samples from the suspects have been sent overseas for testing.

Police said  two females, both 16 years old, were raped by three unknown males after 10 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2 in an apartment in Reduit Orchard, Rodney Bay.

The perpetrators, who concealed their faces with T-shirts, stormed the apartment through the apartment through a closed but unlocked door, police said.

One male was armed with a gun and the females were also robbed of certain items, police said.

“The victims suffered severe lacerations of their vaginas with one being admitted to Victoria Hospital for surgical repair,” one source alleged.

In the Third Quarter Crime Statistics Report 2015 it was revealed that sexual offences and crimes against persons were the only major crime categories which recorded an increased number of accepted cases.

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