Peterson Francis
Castries Mayor Peterson Francis said during Monday night’s Festival of Lights address that several major changes are planned for the city, including reducing the high incidence of crime.
Francis told a large gathering at the Derek Walcott Square that the crime rate will fall because of plans to introduce some 18 new police constables to patrol the city.
He acknowledged that there has been blatant disregard for human life and property, stating that Castries has become a hub for criminal elements and activity, but promised to put an end to it.
These new city constabulary officers, according to Francis, will work in partnership with the Royal St. Lucia Police Force to bring back ‘law and order’ in the City of Castries.
The city mayor also noted that there are plans to beautify Castries. And his office will be working with central government to ensure that the city remains economically viable.
Below is the mayor’s full speech:
Welcome to this great tradition, welcome to my city – Castries, welcome to the Derek Walcott Square.
On behalf of my office and from my heart to yours, I extend warm wishes to you. Welcome to our celebration of the joyous occasion of Festival of light, which our country commemorates before the National day holiday.
Ladies and gentlemen, each time I have the opportunity to attend such activities: I am awed by the diversity of the cultural celebrations that we are able to enjoy together in St. Lucia. Whether it is cultural, religious or worldly observances, we are presented with the opportunity to showcase tremendous talent, but also there is opportunity for growth, for learning and to express gratitude.
This evening in the spirit of family, warmth, friendship and fellowship we celebrate the triumph of light; conquering darkness, ignorance and fear; good overcoming evil and the renewal of life.
Ladies and gentlemen, we light up the city, not only to signal the start of Christmas and to commemorate the feast of the patron saint, but also to celebrate the triumph of Light over darkness in our lives and in our country.
Those lights can be seen flickering from a distance; swaying in the gentle evening breeze, some strong and steady, pierce the night’s darkness to shower us in radiant light.
But as you know festival of light is so much more than lighting up the city. Festival of light is about family and reunion. It is about compassion and forgiveness as the Lord taught us when he forgave those who caused him great pain. Festival of light is about solemnly looking within to discover, accept and reflect the divine light and then sharing that light with all those around us.
Even as we clean and decorate our physical surroundings during this time, we must ensure that our soul is pure; our heart is filled with compassion and love, and we are strong and resilient in body and mind.
Many among us would sometimes say that St. Lucia and the world by extension are plagued by grave darkness. And that darkness is taking many forms.
The darkness of terrorism, disease, physical and sexual abuse, injustice, inequality, poverty and hunger, natural disasters and the negative effects of climate change.But in actuality, that darkness cannot exist where there is light.
Indeed, if in every facet of life, we can be the source of light and joy for others; if we can put country before self; if we can reject violence, intolerance and intimidation, then the darkness we all fear will cease to exist.
Each of you, each spiritual organization and community group represented here tonight is called to erase the darkness threatening to destroy our nation.
Our focus should not merely be on the material but on the spiritual – the attainment of abundant joy and infinite peace.
Therefore, we must answer that higher call of selfless service to community and nation, to ensure continued peace and harmony in our country.
Commit your time, talents, and resources to assist in the development of our country, as a whole community united in love.
Whilst we have been distracted by the loud noise, objections and misinformation, the greatest threat that faces our nation is under-development. For decades we have seen Governments come and go, many of us feeling that more could have been done to effect transformative change in this country. I pray that every light lit here tonight will bring an end to the darkness that threatens to engulf our lives and nation.
Over the past few years, we have seen the blatant disregard for human life and property. The City of Castries has become a hub for criminal elements and activity. And this will be put to a halt. One of the corrective measures we will take is to introduce 18 individuals as part of our city police unit to join with 12 seasoned constabulary officers employed within my office.
Those persons will be deployed in the coming days and will be trained by the training academy of the police service.
It is my hope that in the coming months we increase the city police unit to 50, so that law and order can be restored in the city. The city police unit working in partnership with the Royal St. Lucia Police Force will bring back law and order in the City of Castries.
In addition, we recognize the urgent need to beautify our city. We will see that taking place in collaboration with my Government as the development of Castries is critical to the country’s economic survival.
We will also see the modernization of the Office of the Mayor along with the Castries Constituency Council.
As I close, I ask that you whisper a prayer in your heart which aptly captures the true essence of festival of light.
I ask that your prayers reflect not only on personal desires, but on a universal call for tolerance and unity, and the positive development of our young nation.
Let us reflect on the light of lights, our lord, earmarking a new beginning, a new chapter, a new vision, a new personality, a new you. Ladies and gentlemen, as the dark night is brightened by the lights which are about to be turned on, so too let our hearts glow with the light of love for our family, our community and our nation. Let us ensure that we use these lights as our guiding light into the season and beyond.
From the Office of the Mayor, I wish you, happy festival of light, happy national day, season’s greetings, a Joyous Christmas and a blessed and peaceful new year.
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