Citizen Security Secretariat Deepens Community Engagement Amid 76% Drop in Homicides
The Citizen Security Secretariat (CSS) continued its dynamic engagement strategy throughout July 2025, reinforcing the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis’ data-driven, public health-centred approach to crime prevention. These efforts form part of a wider national strategy that has supported a remarkable 76 percent reduction in homicides over the past year, under the leadership of Prime Minister the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew.
On 28th July, CSS Coordinator Eartha Carey and Research Analyst and Public Health Consultant Hance Richards served as guest speakers at the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force’s (RSCNPF) 3rd Annual Crime Intervention Summer Soccer Camp, held at the NCI Grounds. Speaking to dozens of youth and volunteers, Carey and Richards led interactive sessions on citizen security, youth responsibility, and the importance of community unity in reducing violence. The camp, which began on 21st July, is one of several national interventions designed to guide at-risk youth towards positive pathways.
“Our mission is not just to respond to crime, but to transform the environment that allows it to take root,” said CSS Coordinator Eartha Carey. “By working directly with our youth and engaging families, churches, and communities, we are building a safer Federation from the inside out.”
Earlier in July, Carey and Richards also made tailored presentations to the Antioch Baptist Church Prayer Group on the 16th, as well as to the Pastors’ Conference on Nevis and members of the RSCNPF High Command on the 1st. These forums provided meaningful faith-based platforms to raise awareness on citizen security, and to equip clergy and national security leaders—who serve as key community anchors—with evidence-based strategies for promoting safety and social resilience.
Minister of National Security, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, publicly commended the CSS during a recent Cabinet press conference, praising the Secretariat’s dedication and the measurable success it continues to deliver. He reaffirmed that the CSS’s work is essential to the Government’s broader violence prevention framework, which treats crime as a symptom of deeper social imbalances rather than relying solely on punitive measures.
“The Secretariat’s outreach is not only transforming our communities but gaining regional recognition,” Prime Minister Drew stated. He further noted that neighbouring Anguilla recently held high-level talks with the Drew administration to better understand how St. Kitts and Nevis has achieved such significant reductions in crime since the Citizen Security Task Force was launched in August 2024.
By proactively engaging with vulnerable groups and addressing the socioeconomic drivers of antisocial behaviour, the Citizen Security Secretariat is living up to its mandate to foster lasting change. Its July engagements exemplify the Federation’s leadership in modern citizen security reform and offer a compelling model for other nations seeking sustainable approaches to crime and violence.
