Crime Campaign Garners Mixed Reviews Amidst Shift to Long-Term Solutions

The 90-Day Campaign Against Violence and Crime, launched in St. Kitts and Nevis in September 2024, has sparked a contentious national dialogue regarding its effectiveness and overall impact. The initiative, aimed at curbing crime and fostering safer communities, has been met with polarized opinions, with some lauding its collaborative approach and focus on long-term solutions, while others criticize its perceived failure to deliver immediate reductions in criminal activity. This divergence in perspectives underscores the complex nature of addressing crime and the challenge of balancing short-term gains with sustainable, long-term strategies.

The campaign’s detractors point to the occurrence of two murders and several robberies during the 90-day period as evidence of its ineffectiveness. They argue that the initiative failed to achieve its primary objective of immediately reducing violent crime, suggesting that the resources allocated to the campaign could have been better utilized elsewhere. This perspective emphasizes the urgency of the crime situation and the need for immediate, tangible results to reassure the public and restore a sense of security. For these critics, the campaign’s focus on long-term strategies and community engagement rings hollow in the face of continued criminal activity.

Conversely, proponents of the 90-Day Campaign argue that its success lies not solely in immediate crime reduction statistics, but rather in its broader achievements. They highlight the strengthened collaboration between public, private, and civil society groups as a crucial step towards building a more cohesive and resilient approach to crime prevention. This collaborative framework, they contend, lays the groundwork for more effective, long-term solutions by fostering shared responsibility and ownership among stakeholders. Furthermore, supporters emphasize the campaign’s role in facilitating the development of evidence-based strategies, which they believe will contribute to more sustainable and impactful crime reduction efforts in the future.

The government of St. Kitts and Nevis, through the voice of Honourable Isalean Phillip, Minister of State, has strongly defended the 90-Day Campaign and emphasized its role as a stepping stone towards a more comprehensive and sustainable approach to citizen security. Speaking during the 2025 Budget Debate, Minister Phillip underscored the importance of partnerships and community engagement as crucial components of a successful crime-fighting strategy. She articulated the government’s vision of recreating “communities of care and compassion,” highlighting the need to address the underlying social factors that contribute to crime. This perspective positions the 90-Day Campaign not as a stand-alone initiative, but as a catalyst for a broader, whole-of-society approach to citizen security.

Moving forward, the government is transitioning to a “Beyond the 90 Days” initiative, which aims to build on the foundation laid by the initial campaign. This next phase will prioritize inter-ministerial partnerships, involving key ministries such as Social Development, Gender Affairs, and Youth Empowerment. This integrated approach recognizes the interconnectedness of various social issues and the need for a coordinated response to address the root causes of crime. The “Beyond the 90 Days” initiative will also continue to engage community organizations, agencies, and individuals, ensuring that local knowledge and expertise are incorporated into targeted interventions.

The government’s renewed focus on “people, programming, and partnerships” signals a long-term commitment to creating safer and more compassionate communities in St. Kitts and Nevis. This holistic approach acknowledges that effective crime prevention requires more than just law enforcement; it necessitates addressing the underlying social, economic, and environmental factors that contribute to criminal behavior. By investing in human and social development, the government aims to empower individuals, strengthen communities, and create an environment where crime is less likely to occur. This long-term vision recognizes that sustainable change requires a sustained, multi-faceted approach that addresses the root causes of violence and fosters a sense of shared responsibility for community safety. The mixed reactions to the initial 90-Day Campaign underscore the complexities of addressing crime and the need for ongoing dialogue and collaboration to achieve lasting positive change.