PRESS RELEASE – Whether the fight just crept up on you or you provoked it, knowing how to walk away from a fight can be the most mature and responsible thing you have ever done in your life.

It won’t be the easiest thing to do though and you’ll need to stay strong in the aftermath of letting go. However, walking away can ultimately ensure that you don’t make an already bad situation worse than it already is.

• Keep your wits about you: Anger, panic, fear, and frustration are all emotions guaranteed to cause you to fall apart than thinking clearly about what is happening. It’s highly recommended that you learn to avoid getting yourself into situations that threaten fights as an inevitable outcome. Keep an eye out for danger signs, like the building up of high tension, the presence of alcohol, a too-late night or someone who is upset over something or someone else, don’t get involved in what does not concern you.

• Create physical distance: The other person is likely as riled and angry or afraid as you are and this makes things volatile. By stepping back or standing away, you make the first call to not engage any further in fighting. Keep your distance––if the other person come closer, move away again.

• Assess whether or not it will work to talk: In many cases, the emotions are just too heightened for a discussion. However, if it seems that talking might work, throw some hooks as an invitation to talk instead of fight. For example: Say something like: “Hey buddy. I don’t want this. You don’t want this. Let’s be reasonable and talk it out.”

• Ignore the insults or negative comments your opponent is flinging your way: This is to be expected and you should be ready for it. You might hear yourself being called a coward, weak and all manner of angry and taunting things. These are the last offenses of the angry opponent who sees a chance for a fight deflating, the last ditch efforts to rile you into returning to the fight. Recognize them for what they are and don’t personalize them.

• Avoid escalating an argument: There may be principles you want to stand on, points you wish to ram home and views that you think are irrevocably right. You may think that your opponent is all wrong. But none of these beliefs are either wholly accurate or helpful to you. The important thing is avoiding a fight, not arguing petty points about the disagreement you two have.

• When all else fails, turn away and leave: Remember there is no shame in running away––you did your best. Walking away from a fight doesn’t determine that you’re a coward (no matter how much the other person screams this); it determines that you’re mature and thinking responsibly, about not just yourself but about the other person too, and families and friends who will be affected by the repercussions. Above all, remind yourself the alternatives could be much worse: You could die, get crippled, or end up in jail. Remember what’s important to you and how a fight could impact your life.

• Never forget to call the Police: The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force is there to maintain law and order. Call the police at the earliest of any dispute. Don’t allow the situation to get out of hand.

Weekend crime prevention tips are a production of the Public Relations Department of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force. Do have an enjoyable and safe weekend.

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Police are investigating a suspected suicide in Vieux Fort after the body of a young male was discovered hanging from a tree.

St. Lucia News Online (SNO) has confirmed with police officials that the discovery was made around 7 a.m. today, Monday, February 1, 2016.

A police official said the man, who appears to be in his late 20’s or early 30’s, was found hanging from a tree close to the Vieux Fort- Laborie Highway.

Details are still sketchy at this time, but investigations are ongoing.

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Acting Commissioner of Police Errol Alexander

PRESS RELEASE – On Wednesday, February 3, the community of Dennery will kick off the “Meet the Commissioner” series of town hall meetings for 2016.

The town hall meeting is slated for 6:30 p.m. at the Clendon Mason Memorial Secondary School. The Dennery Station is the main organizer of this event. The Royal Saint Lucia Police Band will also join in the visit and grace the community with a musical treat.

This town hall meeting presents the opportunity for community members to meet the Commissioner and other senior level officers, but most importantly, it is an open forum for discussion on matters of concern which may include social issues, security and policing in general.

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A 16-year-old female has been arrested by police in relation to a recent homicide in Bagatelle.

The teen could be slapped with a murder charge later today, according to her attorney Marcus Foster.

She is being questioned about the murder of Paul “Bams” St. Rose,57, of Bagatelle, Castries.

St. Rose was discovered in a seated position with stab wounds to his upper body on January 28, about 2:50 a.m.

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

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PRESS RELEASE – In continuing efforts to bolster its community policing agenda, the Press Office of Royal Saint Lucia Police Force will be resuming its talk show titled “Police Insight” for 2016.

The objective of the show is to disseminate information and promote transparency, law enforcement and community policing.

The first guest shall be Acting Police Commissioner, Errol Alexander.

Police Insight will be aired this Sunday and every Sunday thereafter at 7:00 p.m. on MBC Television and Real FM Radio.

The show will be hosted by Corporal Zachary Hippolyte, Press Officer of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force.

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287. Arson by fire of building, mine or adjacent thing or of thing near a vessel

A person who intentionally or recklessly sets on fire or causes to be set on fire any building, whether the building is completed or in an unfinished state, or any mine, or anything in or near to any such building, or mine, or anything in or near to any vessel, with intent to destroy or materially damage such or any other building, mine, or vessel, is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for 20 years.

288. Arson by fire of dwelling or vessel

A person who intentionally or recklessly sets on fire or causes to be set on fire any dwelling-house or vessel is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for 15 years.

289. Arson by fire of crop, forest or plantation

A person, who intentionally or recklessly sets on fire or causes to be set on fire any crop, or any forest or plantation of trees, is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for 10 years, or on summary conviction to imprisonment for 2 years.

“We, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force would like to encourage the citizenry to read and study the laws which governs our society. Never forget that knowledge is power”.

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PRESS RELEASE – Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of an unidentified male found hanging in West Side Beach, Vieux Fort.

On Monday, February 1, 2016 about 7:15 a.m. the unidentified male was discovered in a kneeling position hanging from a tree on a road leading to West Side Beach. He was bare back, wearing a pair of blue boxer shorts and a light brown pair of shoes.

He is brown in complexion and appears to be in his late twenties or early thirties. He was transported to the St Jude Hospital where he was pronounced dead by a medical doctor.

On Wednesday, February 3, 2016 a post mortem revealed that he died as a result of asphyxia secondary to hanging.

No foul play has been suspected. The body is still unidentified.

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Syana Mathurin

PRESS RELEASE – On Monday, February 1, 2016 a post mortem was conducted on the body of 42 year old, Syana Mathurin of Delcer, Choiseul.

The examination revealed that she died as a result of blunt force chest trauma.

No foul play has been suspected in this matter.

On Wednesday, January 27, 2016 about 3:40 p.m. her partly decomposed body was discovered suspended on a cliff in Moolas, Choiseul.

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PRESS RELEASE – 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

ONLINE CHATTING

Chatting online has entertained and fostered new relationships for millions since it was introduced. With new technology bringing voice and video chat into the spotlight, even more virtual communication possibilities abound. Chatting online can be entertaining and a great way to keep in touch with all your acquaintances. Chatting technology also has its place in professional settings where it can be used for video conferencing and phone conferencing.

Being online does have its dangers though. Predators always take advantage of those who don’t know how to protect themselves or what they may be getting into. Children are especially susceptible. Following are some tips that will help you and those you care about stay safe while chatting online:

1. NEVER give personal information online. Your real name, address, telephone number, sex and age should be kept to yourself when meeting people online. If someone presses you for this information they probably don’t have good intentions. Legitimate users will understand your desire for protecting your privacy.
2. Use EXTREME caution when agreeing to meet in person with someone you’ve met online. Always meet in a public place and always take someone with you. If you are under 18, NEVER meet with someone without taking a parent with you.
3. Choose your screen name carefully. Choose something that is gender neutral and fun. Choosing something risqué for your user name will attract the wrong kind of crowd and is not appropriate for professional uses.
4. Never respond to any inappropriate solicitations or comments that make you uncomfortable.
5. Never believe everything you read in a profile, on a message board or in a chat. Often, people pretend or role play, either for entertainment, to hide or for other ulterior motives.
6. Avoid engaging in arguments online. There are those who provoke this kind of behavior on purpose. Resist the urge to fire back and move on.
7. Know the rules of the chat rooms you visit and follow them.
8. Don’t post negative or personal information of others.
9. Never accept files or downloads that you aren’t expecting or from people you don’t know. You may receive a virus, spam or other inappropriate material.
10. Know how to make copies or logs of your chat conversations.
11. Utilize the protection and safety features offered by chatting software. Some have settings that block unwanted users, allow you to ignore chatters that behave inappropriately and so on.
12. Know how to contact the moderator of a chat room.

“Following these tips will help you enjoy the benefits of online chatting whether it is through text, video or voice. The Internet provides many resources that make life more convenient. However, always be aware that some people do not have good intentions or are mischievous, so be smart, think before you type and obey the rules of netiquette”

This has been your weekend crime prevention tips. Do have an enjoyable and safe weekend.

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A man is dead after being shot to death in Jacmel on Friday evening at his residence.

The incident is reported to have occurred at around 9:40 p.m.

He has been identified as Modeste Anthony, alias Urias, from Jacmel.

Police have confirmed that Anthony sustained three gunshots to his body.

Reports are Anthony was outside his home when he was shot and killed.

He was discovered by relatives who claim they heard the gunshots.

Anthony’s uncle was reportedly killed in the same manner in 1993.

Investigations are ongoing.

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PRESS RELEASE – “Know Your Laws” is a production of the Press Office of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force.

PERSON TAKING POSSESSION OF LOST THING TO DELIVER IT TO OWNER OR TO LAWFUL AUTHORITY

(CRIMINAL CODE 437 OF ST. LUCIA 2008)

(1)          A person who takes possession of anything which appears to be of some value, and to have been lost by another person, shall, within 48 hours or so soon as may be reasonably practicable, after taking possession of it, deliver it to its owner, if known, or a magistrate or police officer or any other person authorised by law to receive such thing.

(2)          A person who contravenes subsection (1) of this section is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for 3 months.

(3)          Nothing in this section relieves any person of any liability to punishment for the offence of theft and handling if his or her actions amount to any such offence.

(4)          It is the duty of the police to restore the lost property to its owner, if known.

(5)          Unless otherwise provided by regulations made by the Cabinet, if no application is made by the real owner for the recovery of the property within the 3 months after its delivery to the police, the property may be sold by the police and the proceeds of the sale shall be paid into the Treasury for the public uses of the State.

(6)          Unless otherwise provided by regulations made by the Cabinet, the finder of lost property who deals with it in accordance with the provisions of this section, is entitled to a reward not exceeding 1/8 part of the assessed value of such property or of the proceeds of the sale of such property.

“We, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force would like to encourage the citizenry to read and study the laws which governs our society. Never forget that knowledge is power”.

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PRESS RELEASE – On Monday, February 08, 2016 a post mortem was conducted on the body of 22 year old, Anthony Modeste alias “Urias” of Jacmel, Anse La Raye.

The examination revealed that he died as a result of hemorrhagic shock secondary to multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and head.

Investigations continue into this matter.

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PRESS RELEASE – Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of 22 year old, Anthony Modeste alias “Urias” of Jacmel, Anse La Raye.

On Friday, February 5, 2016 about 9:50 p.m. Modeste was discovered with gunshot wounds to the body near his mothers’ residence in Jacmel.

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

A post mortem is scheduled for Monday, February 08, 2016.

Investigations continue into this matter.

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Minister Victor Lacobiniere

The lack of resources at the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has drawn the attention of not only ranks within the Force, but the general public, who considers it as a major issue.

But National Security Minister Victor Lacobiniere has said that while it is a reality on the ground, this is as a result of the economic climate in Saint Lucia over the past few years.

“The budget of my ministry has been steady for the past two years. Going into this budget it continues to be fairly stable. We have not seen any significant increases across the board,” he told the media.

In fact, Lacobiniere, said most of the capital projects were axed last year, which in his considered view, it will most likely be axed again this year. And that is purely based upon the economic climate.

The minister said agencies similar to the RSLPF have to find “innovative ways” to get the business done.

He used the Bordelais Correctional Facility (BCF) as an example, where they have moved to rehabilitate their farm with the assistance of members of the private sector.

“You also have to be careful in being creative. But there has to be some measure of creativity, greater level of efficiency, because there is also a lot of wastage in the public service,” he asserted.

Nevertheless, Lacobiniere explained that records over the past ten years indicate that the RSLPF have received reasonable financial and other types assistance, to help with their many programmes.

“In fact, they have got quite a bit, not just from the Americans, but my government has given them, motor vehicles and motor cycles, etc. This round the economy has been very tight and therefore it has been difficult to be able to keep it at the level we would like,” he remarked.

Lacobiniere said he is however confident that Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony will continue, as he has done before, ease the burden on the main sectors even in this time of difficulty.

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* This is NOT actual illegal guns seized by local authorities.

The importation of illegal firearms into the country continue to be a major issue for law enforcement officials and is mostly linked to the drug trade, National Security Minister Victor Lacobiniere has disclosed.

Lacobiniere believes there needs to be more targeted intelligence to recover illegal weapons, something he admits the police has not been too successful at doing.

“I continue to say to the Commissioner of Police and previous Commissioners that we are aware that they are high powered weapons in the country and there has to be a more targeted intelligence driven plan to recover these weapons,” he asserted.

The minister said while he believes the police are doing what they can, there is a dire need for more intelligence driven operations, international cooperation, and a build up of more local and special intelligence.

“The substance of the problem comes with the drug trade. With every shipment of drugs that comes into the country and sometimes transits through the country, we have the opportunity for firearms coming in,” he explained.

Lacobiniere said some of these weapons even come through the normal ports, because the country lacks a very comprehensive system of screening.

“And I say a very comprehensive system of screening, because if you notice, we do not have the kind of heightened electronic screening that you would have,” he remarked.

But if the government were to increase surveillance at various ports of entry, it could be a very expensive undertaking to purchase x-ray machines to check each container.

“The government continues to do what it can for law enforcement, to try to interdict,” Lacobiniere noted.

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Errol Alexander

National Security Minister Victor Lacobiniere said he hopes that a new Commissioner of Police (COP) could be appointed soon to bring some stability to the Royal St. Lucia Police Force (RSLPF).

Lacobiniere was responding to the recent disclosure made by acting Commissioner of Police Errol Alexander of plans to retire from the Force and not to re-apply for the top position.

Alexander and Director of Corrections Vern Garde had applied for the vacant post last year, but both men were sent letters in early January, informing them that their applications had been rejected.

This publication understands that the decision was taken following a court hearing, where a senior police officer sought a judicial review of the application process.

While the Public Service Commission (PSC) has not come forward with an explanation as to reason behind rejecting the applications, they have moved to re-advertise the position.

Commenting on the issue, Minister James Fletcher expressed similar sentiments stating that the position is an important one, since it has to do with national security.

Fletcher said from information he received, the PSC was not please with the results of the first set of interviews and decided to re-advertise the post.

The minister views Alexander’s exit from the RSLPF as a great loss and noted that there is a major issue when it comes to succession planning in the public sector, something he hopes can be addressed.

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PRESS RELEASE – 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

USAGE OF FORCE

Criminal Code of St Lucia 2008

Section 34: REASONABLE USE OF FORCE IN SELF-DEFENCE

A person may use such force as is reasonable in the circumstances—

(a)          to prevent crime;

(b)          to protect himself or herself or another person from injury;

(c)           to protect himself or herself or another person (with his or her authority) from trespass to himself or herself or the other person;

(d)          to protect from injury or damage his or her property or property belonging to another person with that person’s authority.

Section 37:  FORCE TO REMOVE TRESPASSER

A person in actual possession of a house, land or vessel, or any other person authorized by him or her, may use such force reasonable in the circumstances as is necessary for removing a person who has unlawfully entered such house, land, or vessel, and who having been lawfully requested to depart, refuses to depart.

Section 38: FORCE FOR RECOVERY OF POSSESSION OF GOODS 

If a person wrongfully takes possession of or detains any goods, any other person who as against him or her, has a right to the possession of the goods, may upon his or her refusal to deliver up the goods on demand, use such force reasonable in the circumstances, either by himself or herself or by any other person, as is necessary for the purpose of recovering possession of the goods.

“These sections of law gives you the  right to use force however, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force is asking persons to use caution in all forms of confrontation as your use of force must be reasonable in the circumstances and never forget in all circumstances to call the police”.

Do have an enjoyable and safe weekend.

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National Security Minister Victor Lacobiniere said that his ministry has placed a request with the Ministry of Finance for financial support to assist with fixing the failing CCTV system.

Lacobiniere has described the system as a “bad investment” and said that his office continues to receive reports of these cameras going down in various parts of the city.

The US$3 million investment made by the then Stephenson King administration is aimed at fighting crime, which Lacobiniere admits has and may continue to be a major help for police.

“We have asked the Ministry of Finance to give us an allocation to give us an opportunity to treat this in a more comprehensive way because the camera system is going down as much as we do to keep it up. We are aware that there are significant problems with that system,” he explained.

The minister remains hopeful that the request will be met, but noted that the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr. Kenny Anthony will have to decide whether it is necessary to invest in this area at this point.

“The Prime Minister has to prioritize in so many fronts. It’s too early to indicate whether we have got or will get this amount. The Prime Minister at the appropriate time will make these announcements,” he added.

Lacobiniere said if that request fails, his ministry will continue to take short term measures to keep the system afloat.

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A British woman was brutally raped in her villa in the early hours of Saturday, February 6, in Cas en Bas.

St. Lucia News Online (SNO) has confirmed the incident with a senior police official who said the matter is a sensitive one and the police will not be be able to disclose any information.

A source told SNO that the woman is about 45-years-old and had been staying at the villa for some time.

SNO understands that the woman was asleep when she was attacked and raped. The woman’s apartment door was also closed but unlocked, which made it easy for her attacker to enter her room.

The matter was reported to the local police and the British High Commission Office for the Eastern Caribbean.

Investigations are ongoing.

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A taxi driver sustained a dislocated jaw and several other injuries on Wednesday, February 10, when he was attacked and robbed by a gang in Castries.

The victim is reported in the media as saying that he was robbed at about 1 a.m., a few minutes after dropping off a passenger at the Marchand Boulevard.

The taxi driver, whose name has not been disclosed, recalled that he was on his way home to Rose Hill, when the group of men blocked the road and demanded that he exit the vehicle.

The man told the media that he was unable to reverse his vehicle because the road was completely blocked with stones placed there by the group of men, who were calling him out.

According to him, when the gang realised he was not going to leave his car, they threw a brick and smashed his window. After witnessing this, the taxi driver decided to get out and began running.

But this didn’t stop the men from going after him, because two of them ran behind him.While he tried to fight them off, the other men joined in and started to beat up on him.

He was held in a headlock until he lost consciousness. Once he was awake, he realised that his vehicle was burglarized and every piece of valuable item was missing.

The man recalls running again, until he finally saw some people playing a game of domino. He told them the story and they called the ambulance and police. He was then taken to the hospital for treatment.

The matter is being investigated by the police.

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