Articles - News

   A convoy of police vehicles, sirens blazing, sped through the city’s streets on Wednesday February 16 around 9:30am. Chaussee road was cordoned off by motorcycle police from the Traffic Department from the North/South Gas Station to the traffic lights at the corner of Chaussee Road/Jeremie Street. Parts of the road parallel to Chaussee, Chisel Street, were also cordoned off. The corners of Chisel/High Street and Chisel /St Louis Street were inaccessible to the public. The entrance from Morne Du Don into Castries was also blocked.
The area of the police’s focus? Wilton’s Yard formerly known as the Graveyard. As the STAR reached the scene, reporters were met with hostility by some residents who claimed the media is being unfair in helping to label Wilton’s Yard as a hot spot. On the flip side, others were supporting the police action but disagreed with the weapons the cops brandished.
From one end of Chaussee Road to the other was littered with police officers from various departments. The most noticeable fixture was that of a gold pick up van parked between Courts and Roses. On the back of the van stood a single member of the Special Services Unit scanning the area while an officer covered from head to toe in black, not an inch of skin visible, complete with a black ski mask, balanced a fifty caliber high powered rifle on sand bags. The rifle was leveled at an unseen target along the Morne Du Don Road.
News began circulating of one death by police hands on that day. However, it would later be revealed that police shot two men. Twenty-year-old Dane Augustin alias Cyborg of Morne Du Don, Castries was shot in the leg. Twenty-four-year-old Shem Peter, also of Morne Du Don, sustained a gunshot wound. The two men are nursing their injuries at Victoria Hospital.
The police raid, dubbed Operation Restore Confidence, lasted over four hours. There was no access into or out of the area for that time. Homes were raided and according to the police, several live rounds of ammunition and spent shells, drugs and ski masks were recovered.
Reporters on the scene can confirm at least four persons were taken into custody on that day—a middle aged woman, an elderly man, a teenage boy and a man who appeared to be in his twenties.
One resident who spoke to the STAR asked not to be identified said, “You feel those fellas should be allowed to do that? They can’t just come into man yard just so. It’s not right. It’s not fair. Look at everybody just standing on the street. Where are we supposed to go while they mess up our homes? What are we supposed to do?”
Another told reporters, “That’s what you all have to report. Report on how we are being treated like animals. Why is us that are labeled as criminals? How is us that have to be inconvenienced?”
At that moment, a traffic officer approached the crowd and shouted: “Move! You cannot stand there.”
Some residents exuded hostility. The officer responded, “Move or I will move you.” The crowd dispersed. Businesses were shut for the day along the aforementioned streets. Subsequently police revealed the operation has been dubbed “Operation Restore Confidence” and will be conducted throughout the island. The objective is to identify the criminal elements and confiscate illegal weapons, drugs and items suspected of having been unlawfully obtained.

   As Saint Lucia prepares to celebrate the 32nd Anniversary of its Independence tomorrow, the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) takes the opportunity to extend best wishes to all Saint Lucians on this significant occasion. Independence signifies a certain level of national and individual responsibility to develop our communities and our country, and we should always strive as a people to preserve this patriotic principle.

The pioneers of our Independence from Sir George Charles to Sir John Compton practiced a life of service to our country and its people. They were respected and appreciated for their commitment to the cause of the people, especially as this was at the cost of great sacrifices to their personal and family well-being.

Today, as the people of Saint Lucia face the difficult challenges of safety, security and survival, we need to see a similar level of commitment from our Government leaders. The suffering of one child, the cry of one mother, the hunger of one daughter, the unemployment of one young person, the imprisonment or murder of one son, and the lack of care of one grandfather; represents an unacceptable reversal of our Independence. Our Government therefore has a serious responsibility to safeguard and uphold our Independence.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Tomas and unprecedented crime in our country; the Independence theme: “Recovering Through Resilience; Rebuilding With Determination”, is very timely and appropriate. It reflects the spirit of our people to survive and persevere through pain and adversity. It must not however be used to pursue any selfish agendas like the unnecessary airport expansion, while the pressing needs of the people for shelter, safety, income and health care are ignored.

The SLP has a deep appreciation for the productive power and creative capacity of the Saint Lucian people. The determined pursuit of excellence has won us international accolades whether as Nobel prize winners, acclaimed jurists, professionals, service providers or sporting sensations. It is that excellence which best encapsulates our Independence as a nation; and it is in this spirit that the SLP wishes all Saint Lucians a Happy Independence Day 2011.

   Only a minority of persons who have been around for the past fifteen years or so and paying attention could have missed this island’s growing love affair with extravagant living. No one in public leadership roles seemed prepared to set an example of sacrifice and self-discipline. The days when the leader of the Government of this country drove an old pick-up truck are firmly behind us. There is now a rush for show and ostentatious living on an economy which is increasingly challenged to give more as it produces less. The acquisition of quick money, has now become the end all and be all of life of a rushed life and this is exacting a heavy toll on the economy, – and society.
As proof, the debate on the Hewanorra Airport development has now turned to money. Even the electronic media keeps referring to the proposed expenditure as the largest ever in this island’s history. One could be mistaken thinking that the only reason the project was conceived was for a way to spend big money. Yet anyone who has used that airport knows it should have been redeveloped years ago.
The reason some politicians seem so determined to derail the airport re-development plans is to give themselves a chance to put their hands on this juicy pot of gold. It does not surprise therefore that, those who have been suspected of benefitting from past Government projects are so keen to play their hands in this redevelopment effort. Perhaps such persons think that the Hewanorra deal should be their private and personal project and neither Prime Minister King nor SLASPA should deny them that right.
The talk of rebuilding the social infrastructure after hurricane Tomas is merely a smoke screen for diverting attention from an anxiety to control the huge national budget. Had the opposition been in office today, I bet it would have started that airport redevelopment plan at least six months ago and even in the aftermath of Tomas. It would have said that it was their way of putting the country back to work.
Based on our experiences over the last fifteen years we may reasonably conclude that the development of Hewanorra airport was also in the sights of the former Government all along. Certain persons who worked with them had even started a debate on whether or not George Charles airport in Castries should be kept opened or shut down, remember?
I hope that I am not becoming more cynical with the passage of time, but I find any opposition to the Hewanorra redevelopment plans very difficult to accept – or believe. Let me also add that I would have supported that project regardless of the Government that had undertaken to do it. I also believe that if the opposition was in office, before anyone could have said the word ‘Rocha-Mel’ that identical Hewanorra project would be on full steam. The only thing that would have changed is the line up of smart men and con artists whose hands would now be controlling that pot of gold instead of the ones presently assigned.
Every fool knows the larger the public sums to be disbursed the greater the chances of the siphoning of these funds into private hands and pockets not intended to benefit from such projects. There are many persons on this island who have learnt the art of living off their wits and they would carry out their nefarious acts unashamedly if others would allow them.
It should therefore surprise none of us if Hewanorra airport redevelopment project is seen by such con men as simply another opportunity to add to their personal wealth without regard to the suffering inflicted on the country by the recent hurricane.
It would be a great pit however if that were to distract either SLASPA or the Government of Saint Lucia from the decision they have both taken to proceed with that Hewanorra redevelopment project. Indeed I would venture to add that the project should have started months ago and that any more delay would serve to undermine confidence in the present leadership of the country.
So if Stephen King and his UWP wish to make a good showing in the next elections they must proceed with all haste in getting that work off the ground and on the way if only to ensure that that large pot of Hewanorra gold does fall into the wrong hands – again. POLICE SHOOTINGS
It has been my observation that when one stands on a question of principle one hardly ever goes wrong – even when the issue turns personal. I recall that in the Presidential debate between Dukakis (Democrat) and Bush (Snr.) the former was touting his abhorrence at the death penalty. Of course he gave the reasons he thought the punishment barbaric and its implementation undeserving of a modern and enlightened democracy such as America. In the first (or was it second) Presidential debate that year (late seventies) Bernard Shaw of CNN posed the first question to candidate Dukakis. He asked him if his wife had been raped and killed and the perpetrator was caught would he still be against the death penalty. The candidate stumbled for just a fraction of a second before making his reply, and in that nano-second everyone must have felt that Dukakis had lost his bid for President.
In the fight against crime (I prefer to call it a war) each citizen must decide where he or she stands. We ought to take a principled position on it and not wait until we suffer personal loss at the hands of criminals. We either support the police or we are against them. It is for this reason I have always insisted that we get rid of the criminals from the police service. Both the police and the elected representatives of the people must be totally united and at one on the fight against crime and criminality. There must be clear guidelines when the police may use deadly force and these conditions must be known to every parliamentarian and every citizen of this country. People ought to know that once they have premeditated to take another’s life that they are also putting their own in the same coffin. The exceptions to crimes of passion and/or manslaughter are to be determined by the courts, when criminals are caught and do not pose a danger to the lives of the police.
I fully understand the arguments against the death penalty and I confess I supported its abolition at one time. However in the present situation I think the State ought to make examples of criminals especially in the wilful killing of law enforcement officers.
I also totally and unreservedly support the principle that it is better to allow a criminal to go free than to hang an innocent person. But in the war in which this island and the entire Caribbean is presently fighting against the largest and best organized – and most murderous drug cartel in history – no effort must be spared in taking the fight to the homes and hanging–out places of the foot soldiers in that war.
I also say that the police must do everything in their power to bring criminals through the justice system and let the courts decide the punishment for the crime committed. But in fairness to the police I could not end this piece without posing the following question to every person who reads this article: How many more policemen must die at the hands of criminals before the police use deadly force? If you are a peace loving citizen and you love your country there is only one reply, and you know it.

   The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force has commenced taking serious steps to curb the heightened crime in the country, under a project named “Operation Restore Confidence”. At about 9:30am on Wednesday morning access to Jeremie Street and the Chaussee Road in Castries had been put to an abrupt halt and work was officially and efficiently being done.
The traffic was greatly increased since the specified streets were closed. The Force went into the targeted “Grave Yard” ghetto and pursued their intentions. It is alleged that more than three arrests were made and that the police shot two individuals from the grave yard community who were transported to Victoria Hospital. A number of the participating officers were dressed in black and were masked entirely. A crowd gathered near the scene to witness what was taking place and an individual on the scene shared his thoughts about what was taking place.
“I honestly think that the crime situation in Saint Lucia has gone overboard right now. I think that whatever the government along with the police are doing right now to curb the crime situation, is significant. It is the right choice to make. Whatever measures the Police have to take, whether it includes excessive force, I am in agreement because I want our country back together.”
Several businesses on the Chausee were closed for the day, since the police needed to pursue their actions. The gas station on the Chausee was still open for business while other staff members from other business places could be seen exiting the buildings, including Courts.
Certain citizens complained that the police “feel that they have a right to do whatever they would like to.” Some of them said that the police would come into the community to shoot certain individuals. The crowd which gathered across the street while the officers were doing their job was quite excited and some were very eager to share their thoughts aloud. At various pointing times the police asked the public to clear the scene since the crowd’s behavior was starting to get unacceptable. Certain citizens said they don’t feel safe in the country anymore and it does not matter what rules the police try to apply, the crime rate will not decline.
All this action comes on the heels of approaches made by the Government to the New York Police Department (Precinct 67) and to the Israeli Government to assist them in crime scene management and intelligence and to overall strengthen the capacity of local police to deal with the various problems they may encounter.

   The Saint Lucia government has welcomed the news of Caribbean Airlines' expanding commitment to serve the intra-regional travel market.

Responding to plans by the Trinidad and Tobago airline to start a regional commuter service using newly delivered ATR aircraft, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Senator Allen Chastanet said Saint Lucia and its neighbours should benefit greatly from this new development.

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Senator Allen Chastanet
"For the last three years, we have invested significant marketing resources into all of our major markets, but the intra-Caribbean market has not kept pace with the record growth we have experienced in the US and Canada for example," Chastanet explained, attributing the deep declines in regional business to high airfares, limited seat capacity and unpredictable schedule changes.

"We are committed to welcoming as many new airlines to the destination as possible because where we have increased seat capacity, we have seen competitive air fares, strong demand and growth," the minister added, announcing that talks with Caribbean Airlines will recommence as soon as possible.

"We have been in discussions with Caribbean Airlines for many years and we were one of the first destinations to let them know that we are anxious for them to recommence services to Saint Lucia," the senator added.

He noted that Trinidad is an important market to Saint Lucia and the Piarco International Airport a strategic hub for connections to and from Latin America.

Chastanet said the prime minister of Saint Lucia and his cabinet have embraced the CARICOM Multilateral Air Services Agreement and have been working diligently on getting CARICOM Airways, a Suriname-based carrier, off the ground in Saint Lucia.

"We have a long history of embracing the region's carriers," he said, recalling that both BWIA and Air Jamaica were designated Saint Lucia flag carriers in years past, to better service the UK and US markets respectively. "We've recently bestowed this designation on CARICOM Airways as well."

Saint Lucia, which registered record stay-over tourism arrivals and revenue last year, is establishing Hewanorra International Airport in the south of the island as a major Caribbean hub to provide connections to and from its sister islands of Grenada, St Vincent, Martinique and Dominica, given the strength of scheduled nonstop services to the island from New York, Miami, Atlanta, Toronto, London, and most recently Paris and Frankfurt.

The government has also improved transit policies to allow anyone transiting Saint Lucia within 24 hours to do so without paying departure taxes or in-transit fees.

The senator disclosed that in addition to Caribbean Airlines and CARICOM Airways, the government is in negotiation with American Eagle to commence services between Barbados and Saint Lucia.

"We're excited about the future possibilities," said Chastanet, who also hinted that the resumption of the Air Jamaica hub service between Montego Bay and the island was also of interest to the government of Saint Lucia.