“Despite a level of delinquency comparable to that of mainland France, Martinique is affected by a higher level of homicides and higher violence“. In a press release published this Thursday, February 13, the interior ministers Christophe Castaner and Overseas Annick Girardin announced that police reinforcements were to be sent to Martinique to cope with the increase in acts of violence and killings.
“From March 2020, four judicial police officers and four staff already authorized within the BAC will develop the specific capacities of the police national to deal with this growing use of weapons in this territory, “they say, adding that”these additional reinforcements will support the 686 police officers and 688 gendarmes on the spot. “
The two ministers also recall that the construction of a new police station in Fort-de-France, with a total cost of 35.5 million euros, “should be delivered in the coming months”, and that the “weapons plan”, which increased the number of weapons seized by 20% in 2019, “will remain a priority for state services in 2020”.
25 homicides in 2019
In September, police had demonstrated outside the police station of Lamentin in Martinique, at the call of Alliance union National Police and SGP Police FO, to denounce the lack of manpower.
The mayor of Fort-de-France Didier Laguerre (Martinique Progressive Party) and the deputies Serge Letchimy, Josette Manin (related PS), and Jean-Philippe Nilor (GDR, predominantly PCF group), also asked for measures last July to fight “the proliferation of weapons and juvenile delinquency”, faced with “the increase in acts of violence” in their island.
In 2019, 25 homicides were committed on the island of Martinique, including 19 by firearm. Since January, two killings have taken place. On site, the former overseas adviser fromEmmanuel Macron, Stanislas Cazelles, has just been appointed prefect of Martinique.
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