PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — On Monday, Haitian police officers voiced their urgent need for improved protection and support, following the fatal shooting of a Kenyan policeman involved in a U.N.-backed mission aimed at battling rampant gang violence in the nation. The incident underscores the perilous conditions enduring in the Caribbean country, particularly in its capital, Port-au-Prince, where gangs exert control over 85% of the area.
Garry Jean Baptiste, the head of one of Haiti’s two prominent police unions, urged government officials to enhance the provision of tools and reinforcements for law enforcement personnel struggling to maintain order amid the chaos. “Take this insecurity seriously so more lives can be saved,” he said, addressing a crowd with a microphone as his words echoed from speakers mounted on a truck outside the offices of Haiti’s prime minister and transitional presidential council.
A small group of around two dozen civilians gathered to support the union leader, holding placards with messages stating, “We deserve security.” Their presence highlighted the dire state of public safety and the growing frustration among citizens and law enforcement alike.
These demands came in light of the tragic incident involving a Kenyan police officer who was shot dead in the central Artibonite region, situated just north of the capital. The area is a hotspot for multiple gangs, including Gran Grif, which has been listed among those responsible for numerous killings in local communities over the past year.
In addition to seeking better resource allocation, Jean Baptiste criticized the government’s delays in salary payments to police officers. He additionally called for financial support for the families of police personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty. According to U.N. reports, over 5,600 people lost their lives to violence in Haiti during the previous year, with gang-related conflicts leaving more than one million individuals homeless in recent times.
