Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy.
Governor General of Saint Lucia Dame Pearlette Louisy has said every effort should be made to reduce the island’s high homicide rate.
The governor general was at the time addressing the 5th session of the 10th Parliament of Saint Lucia.
In her traditional throne speech, she said crime is a scourge that affects the entire region and by extension Saint Lucia.
Saint Lucia, she said, has seen a general trend of reduction in the level of crime, particularly homicides, since it peaked in 2011.
“However, any successes should not be an excuse to be comfortable, because even while statistics suggests a downward trend, our homicide rate is still too high,” she added.
The governor general believes there are still too much “senseless deaths in our midst.”
“Our streets must not be places of duck and cover, but thoroughfares of good and meaningful transactions. We must be indefatigable in our efforts for Saint Lucia to become a place of peace,” she asserted.
While admitting that the challenge is a complex one, the governor general said it requires reform to the justice system and police force, to ensure an environment in which law and order is respected.
Turning her attention to the justice system, the governor general said in the justice sector, the provision of evidence in the prosecution of cases is a major challenge.
“Therefore to assist persons and the courts in securing and protecting persons giving evidence, a Witness Protection Bill is being drafted and will be introduced in this parliamentary session,” she added.
She also noted that two additional High Court judges and a new master have been added to the criminal division, while staff at the Crown Prosecution Office has been increased.