The influx of reports of sexual crimes and burglaries was put into sharp perspective by the Minister for Equity, Social Justice, Empowerment, Youth Development, Sports, Culture and Local Government, Hon. Lenard Spider Montoute in a presentation to the Lower House on Nov. 8.

Minister for Home Affairs, Justice and National Security, Hon. Hermangild Francis, at a sitting of the Senate on Nov. 15, similarly denounced the senseless and atrocious behaviour of individuals who harm the defenceless.

“This situation will not be tolerated by this government and we will do all in our power to provide the necessary structures to deal with this issue,” he said, as he introduced the School Crime Watch Program.

The Community Relations Branch of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force will be introducing the program to the island's schools shortly.

“This program will mirror the Community Watch Projects," Minister Francis said. "The intention is to sensitize all students about crime. There will be advice on how to protect them from crime, and encourage them not to be afraid to report the deviant behaviour of fellow students. Reporting will be done anonymously.”

The Minister also outlined several factors that may give rise to situations of abuse, and summed them all up as “a complex interplay of many variables.”

Previously, Prime Minister Hon. Allen M. Chastanet promised that firm action will be taken to make Saint Lucia safe again. These horrible acts, he assured, have stirred concern at the highest levels of leadership in the country.