Lumped together – one can understand public speculation Police Officers were being targeted by criminals. The ACP with responsibility for Crime and Intelligence says no link has been established between each of the crimes. Talk of a plot to kill Police officers was fueled by the man who committed the brazen act – Owen Jacob Jules publicly threatened to kill Police officers in a story that first aired on HTS last year. Francois says despite that – preliminary investigations show Jules was after the money the officers were attempting to deposit at the Bank of Saint Lucia branch on the Castries Waterfront.

Meanwhile – the Police have also provided an update on their investigation. Francois says although officers are following up on other suspects – they presently have identified only one man with the crime. He is also clearing the air about how and where Owen Jacob Jules was killed. The death of Jules and Corporal Vincent brought the homicide rate so far for the year to nine – although because Police shooting of civilians is not considered homicide – the rate is 8.

who was passionate about his job. Clarke says the crown prosecutions service has been deeply affected by the loss of a man she also describes as fair and of high integrity. She says Corporal Peter will be sorely missed. The DPP says Police Prosecutors make an invaluable contribution to the criminal justice system and account for 80 per cent of the cases before the courts. Police Prosecutors - unlike crown prosecutor’s deal with summary matters and not the more weighty indictable offenses.

In addition police prosecutors who are often not qualified lawyers are pitted against highly trained trial attorneys. But the DPP says despite the odds they are very competitive and prosecute cases successfully in court houses island wide everyday.  The crown prosecution service has erected a special shrine in the lobby of the building in memory of Corporal Peter. Grieve stricken staff are also receiving counseling and the DPP’s office is planning a special tribute to the fallen officer of the law.

President - Martin James says - on Tuesday the lobby held lengthy discussions with the Minister for Internal Security on this and a host of other issues. The association would not disclose specific details from the meeting with the Minister. However the body says it is working assiduously to address the myriad of concerns of the men and women on the frontlines of the nation’s fight against crime.

Meanwhile - The Police Force is also mourning the loss of Officer, Titus St. Juste who was found dead at his home Tuesday night. The Police Welfare Association says it is postponing its annual general meeting scheduled for Thursday February 25th as result of this and the tragic loss of Corporal Peter.  Meanwhile, a committee is currently preparing for the funeral of Corporal Trevor Peter and Officer Titus St. Juste.

empty spot. The man who oversees the Vigie Cemetery - Hanesley Cyril - says the unfortunate situation is part of the reality of an overcrowded cemetery. After a period of 3 to 5 years he says plots can be reused. However - Cyril assured the casket with the young boy’s cortège was still in place. He believes the grave might have been flattened to accommodate a nearby grave.

But Agnes Thomas says the story does not add up. According to her, older graves are intact while her son’s grave site; there for three years; was the one flattened. Visibly upset – Thomas appears defeated as she explains since losing her youngest son visiting his gravesite especially on his birthday is one of her few comforts. Now she says even that has been taken away.

therefore the shipment is subject to import taxes or duties.The customs controller says the authorities are trying to recover as much of the missing cargo as possible. St. Hill explains that items found in the territorial waters of St. Lucia especially dutiable cargo are not fair game. He says it is not simply finders’ keepers when it comes to lost merchandise at sea. St. Hill is advising people who find the damaged vessel’s cargo to contact the authorities immediately. He warns bringing the items ashore is against the law and can also be characterized as smuggling.

The Customs Official says because of the national security implications the St. Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority, the Customs and Excise department and other enforcement agencies are working closely on this matter. The authorities are now trying to ascertain what caused the cargo vessel MV Angeln to sink two nautical miles from Port Vieux Fort at 10 PM on Sunday.

UWP Responds
Story By
Carmy Joseph

Joseph is also defending the record of the man who fought and lost the Castries East seat on a UWP ticket in 2006. He says as a Minister – Mayers has a defined record of fighting crime. Joseph also called on the Opposition Party to join with the government in addressing the crime issue. Joseph also responded to the SLP characterization of Mayers as an appointed and not an elected MP.He says the issue has nothing to do with the crime issue and should not factor into the Minister’s job performance.

SLHTA Meeting
Story By
Lovely St.Aimee

Visitors he says have been informed of the water situation, and have been advised to practice conservation tips. However he adds a long term a review and revamp of the entire utilities sector is needed. Bowen was speaking at the SLHTA annual general meeting held under the theme, “From Crisis to Recovery.”

The Director of the St. Lucia Tourist Board, Louis Lewis, says the future for Tourism is very promising. It is good news for the economy as Lewis says a Tourism Satellite Account established to give a true indication of the contribution of Tourism to the economy demonstrates the huge impact the industry has.

Lewis adds the Account also revealed the average wage in the tourism sector is higher than in other sectors dispelling the myth the sector pays minimal wages. The Guest Speaker at the AGM was the Bahamian Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Vincent Vanderpool Wallace. It was held at the Sandals Grande.

Following the march students held a ceremony at the CEHI conference room where Historian Gregor Williams made a presentation on the history of St. Lucia. St. Lucia marked its 31st anniversary of independence on Monday February 22nd. Activities to mark the occasion will culminate this week with a Calypso show in aid of Haiti and a national dress festival.

The karaoke competition began on Tuesday and will take place in 20 selected bars around the island. Preliminary rounds will be followed by two semi-final rounds at Prio’s Country Palace located upstairs the Castries Market. Ten competitors in each round will compete for one of three spots in the final.

The competition has a number of sponsors including LIME, Saint Lucia Distillers, Du Boulay’s Bottling Company and HTS/Radio 100. The official launch of the activity was held last week at Prio’s Country Palace.

Government wants an organized and coordinated response to the earthquake in Haiti. It will be one framed within CARICOM as Haiti like Saint Lucia is a member of the regional organization. Earl Huntley is the CARICOM Ambassador to Haiti – the Director of the CARICOM office there. He says to date all members of that office have been accounted for save for the receptionist. Huntley will leave for the earthquake ravaged country on Friday as part of a CARICOM team that will include CDEMA.

Press Secretary Darnley Lebourne says this disaster in Haiti has again highlighted the need for an emergency/disaster fund for the Caribbean region. Lebourne says although Caribbean countries can presently access the Trinidad government funded Petroleum Fund in time of such crisis – there needs to be a fund that is specific to this type of need. It is a call supported by Huntley.

The government has also called on Saint Lucians to provide generous assistance for Haiti. Already one local firm has donated financially to the relief effort in Haiti. Senior Manager – Marketing and Corporate Communications Manager – Maria Fowell – says the company has also facilitated monetary donations through one of its subsidiaries.

Hundreds of thousands of people are feared dead following a Tuesday earthquake in Haiti. The 7.0 disaster left immeasurable damage in the capital Port-au-Prince including to the airport, road and telecoms network.

The government is inviting donations to the Haiti Earthquake Aid Appeal Fund.
Issued through NEMO – that fund will facilitate monetary donations to for earthquake relief in Haiti.
It can be accessed at six banks – Bank of Saint Lucia Account # 901029840 – First National Bank Account # 6002153 – RBTT Account # 7076300 – First Caribbean International Account # 02-1804460 – Royal Bank of Canada Account # 1002005 and Bank of Nova Scotia Account # 2001483.
The government is urging a national approach for all monetary donations to facilitate the money getting to the people of Haiti.