CMC – The St. Lucia police said for the first time in 15 years, the island did not record a murder in the month of January.
“Obviously we are very happy to register zero homicides last month. This is in keeping with declining trends as we have reported earlier,” said Commissioner of Police Vernon Francois.
“I have always emphasised that losing one life is one too many. Generally we are about working to achieve zero violence,” he said, noting that law enforcement officers have helped push back and sensitise the population on crime, especially murders.
“In this vein we recognise other agencies, the Church, the social transformation officers and other youth and community workers and importantly the education system who partner with us, and strengthen this message,” Francois said.
He said the police would continue to fight gang violence as well as the illegal drug trade often linked to murders.
“If is for us to continue to challenge ourselves to cherish the value of life. I would like to particularly challenge our young men to turn away from acts of violence and to try to direct their energies positively”, he noted.