Recent gun killings linked to organised crime

by Linda Straker

• Motive for recent increase in gun-related killing is drug-related
• Three men died by gun violence and several others sustained injuries between 1–12 May
• RGPF continually adjusting its strategy to enhance presence and effectiveness

Superintendent Esau Pierre, Officer in Charge of Operations and Crimes, said that the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) believes the motive for the recent increase in gun-related killing is drug-related as some in that world “settle disagreement” or “justle for influence.”

“Our intelligence suggests that these incidents are not random acts but rather well calculated with targets pre-selected, most having a connection to organised crime,” Pierre said in an interview with the Government Information Service (GIS). “We believe the motive behind these incidents are drug related with the violence stemming from settling disagreements and justling for influence,” he added.

Three men lost their lives to gun violence while several others sustained injuries in acts reportedly involving masked gunmen, between 1–12 May.

Pierre said that the RGPF takes the increasing incidents of gun crimes extremely seriously. “The RGPF is fully committed to utilising all its available resources to thoroughly investigate and bring those responsible for committing these senseless acts to justice,” he said.

He disclosed that in response to these crimes, the RGPF is continually adjusting its strategy to enhance its presence and effectiveness in keeping the country safe. “We understand and share the public concern regarding their safety and the potential negative impact incidents of this nature can have on the image of Grenada. However, we do not believe that these incidents translate to a significant increased risk to the general population. We urge you therefore not to pandemic,” he said in his opening statement.

To address this situation the RGPF has taken several steps, as well as an ongoing assessment of its policing strategy, to ensure members are effectively responding to the current realities.

“We have implemented a more robust approach that includes increased patrols, searches and vehicle checkpoints. The strengthening of the RGPF intelligence infrastructure to allow for the increase and organised collection of information and a more efficient dissemination of actionable intelligence,” Pierre said.