Armed Robber on Nevis Targets U.S. Supreme Court Justice

When something like this happens, it brings international attention to the problematic situation in a nation that depends on tourism for so much of its economy. CNN reports:

Washington (CNN) — Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer was robbed last week by an intruder armed with a machete while Breyer was vacationing on the Caribbean island of Nevis, court officials said Monday.

Breyer, his wife and two other guests were in the justice’s vacation home at the time, but officials said no one was hurt in the incident.

RUSVM Admission vs. Graduation, part 2

According to the AskRoss FAQ Database, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) “typically enrolls between 100 and 120 students in each incoming class.” However, for this fall semester, the school has enrolled 165 students — more than ever before.

Aside from the limited facilities and resources on the RUSVM campus, there’s also concern that the school — a private institution owned by DeVry University, which itself is a proprietary, for-profit company — might be prioritizing net profit over the well-being of students.

Resolution to Friday’s Kidnapping

Late on Friday we posted about the couple who were kidnapped on St. Kitts early that morning, October 28. On Saturday SKNVibes reported that police forces recovered Gilda Rawlins-Vaughan, the wife of the FirstCaribbean Bank employee, around 5:00 am on October 29.

…SKNVibes received a press release from the Communications Unit of the Prime Minister, which stated that DPC Liburd said the operation was launched at 3:15 a.m., and after being rescued the victim was immediately taken to the Joseph N. France General Hospital where she was medically examined and later released.

Local Couple Kidnapped on St. Kitts

An employee of FirstCaribbean Bank and his wife were kidnapped on St. Kitts sometime on Thursday evening, according to a recent SKNVibes report:

When contacted, Assistant Commissioner of Police with responsibility for Operations, Joseph Richardson confirmed that the kidnapping incident did occur and that he could not provide additional details at the time.

He however declared that officers were at the couple’s home investigating the matter and a press release would be issued shortly.

October Crime Incidents

Below is an abridged list of items listed on the RUSVM Incident Report System in October 2011. Included are any incidents of a criminal nature. We publish this list because it is currently only available to RUSVM students — not their family members or friends, or others living on St. Kitts who would benefit from this information.

Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011

Horizons 7:00 PM: HOUSEBREAKING AND LARCENY: There has been strange discovery by one 4th semester student who reported meeting her bedroom door and the porch door opened. The student claimed securing them all before leaving for school. She was advised to exit the apartment until the arrival of the security team but she told Dispatch, the entire house was searched and it appeared safe. Mobile Officer Williams and PC Cotton arrived on scene to conduct investigations. Stolen, 1pair of sunglass valuing US $150.00

Mattingley Heights 12:00 PM: ATTEMPTED BREAKING: From Mattingley Heights, a fourth semester student called from a cell phone and reported that she secured her home at about 09:00 hrs and upon returning home at about 12:15 hrs she discovered one of her window broken, the window screen destroyed and her dog received a cut on it’s upper lip. An entire check of the apartment was made and no sign of entry was evident and no valables were stolen.

Update on Recent Homicides

RUSVM Director of Safety & Security Nolan distributed the following message earlier today. It regards the most recent homicides on St. Kitts. According to the St. Kitts-Nevis Observer, there have now been 31 homicides in the country in 2011.

Faculty, Staff and Students:

As part of our Be in the Know efforts, I would like to share some significant information as it relates to crime in St. Kitts.  Over the past 24 hours there have been two fatal shootings in St. Kitts, which took place in two separate areas surrounding Basseterre (Newtown and St. Johnston).  The matter is currently under police investigation.

September Crime Reports

Below is an abridged list of items listed on the RUSVM Incident Report System in September 2011. We publish this list because it is currently only available to RUSVM students — not their family members or friends, or others living on St. Kitts who would benefit from this information.

Friday, Sep. 30, 2011

Earle Mourne 4:20 PM: DOG ATTACK: While walking her dog in the neighborhood at Earle Mournes, the neighbors’ two dogs jumped over the fencing and were about attack the dog and her. An oncoming vehicle drove by, the driver saw what was about to happen, blew the horn continuously in an effort to distracted the dogs which deemed to be successful. Officer Belle was dispatched to the scene to conduct investigations. No personal injuries were sustained.

Notice from U.S. Embassy in Barbados

The following message was sent on Monday, October 3, to American citizens registered for notifications from the Barbados embassy. We have added links for your convenience.

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the potential for retaliation against U.S. citizens and interests following the deaths of key figures in the terrorist group al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula on September 30. This Travel Alert expires on November 30, 2011.

On 30 September, U.S. and Yemeni government officials confirmed that dual U.S.-Yemeni citizen Anwar al-Awlaki, the external operations leader of Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), was killed in Yemen. Open source information also indicates that U.S. citizen and AQAP propagandist Samir Khan was killed along with him. Awlaki played a key role in advancing AQAP plots targeting the United States.

Looking for Feedback from Recent Graduates

Did you recently finish a medical, veterinary, or nursing program on St. Kitts, or are you close to graduating? We want to hear about your experience!

We’ll be developing an in-depth quiz in the coming weeks. Our goal is to provide a starter pack for prospective students who are considering moving to St. Kitts. But first, we want to get an overall idea of how your time as a foreign student compared to your expectations.

So Many New Students, So Few Clinical Spots

It has come to our attention that Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) has admitted an unprecedented number of students begin their first semester of the veterinary program in fall 2011.

The number of new students this semester comes to 165. Those students hope to finish their seventh semester at Ross in fall 2013, at which time they would proceed to the clinical year at a veterinary school in the United States.