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HoA must ‘find a way forward’ to address crime - Hon Penn

- Legislators called upon to chart strategy & solve VI’s crime woes
Opposition Leader, Hon Marlon A. Penn has in denouncing Vigilante Justice in the Virgin Islands (VI), has called on all members of the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly to chart a way forward regarding addressing crime in the territory. Photo: HoA/Youtube
Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) in calling the recent shooting deaths 'unconscionable' said the House of Assembly (HoA) has a responsibility to the people to address crime. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) in calling the recent shooting deaths 'unconscionable' said the House of Assembly (HoA) has a responsibility to the people to address crime. Photo: VINO/File
DUFFS BOTTOM, Tortola, VI – Opposition Leader, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) has called on all members of the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA) to chart a way forward to tackle crime in the territory.

Hon Penn’s comment came during a three-minute allotted time to speak in the HoA on the recent shooting death of Catherine Pickering, a local businessman who succumbed to a gunshot wound on April 19, 2021.

“We need to sit down around the table, all 13 of us elected by the people of this territory and find a way forward. We can’t depend on anybody else but ourselves, this is our country, these are our people,” he said.

Hon Penn said the death of Mrs Pickering was one that was close to home since the family has close ties to his.

Meanwhile, Third District Representative and senior legislator Hon Julian Fraser RA said the House of Assembly (HoA) has a responsibility to the people of the territory regarding addressing crime.

Shooting was 'unconscionable' - Hon Fraser 

“What has happened recently with this recent shooting, Mr Speaker, it's unconscionable… it is as unconscionable as all the others but this one in particular, Mr Speaker, should have driven home a nail within all of us that we need information.”

“We cannot continue to walk the streets of the BVI believing that if it didn’t happen to me, it didn’t happen,” he said.

Hon Fraser also made calls for the legislature to make addressing crime a priority in the House; reminding HoA members that they are representatives and must look out for the interests of every member of the community who is impacted by crime.

Acknowledging that the police and crime-solving come under the responsibility of the Governor's Office, Hon Fraser said elected officials should not sit and wait for the Governor's Office to address the problem.

“I stand 100% behind the families of the victims and I stand 100% per cent in seeing that these type of things are stamped out of the territory,” Hon Fraser told the House.

12 Responses to “HoA must ‘find a way forward’ to address crime - Hon Penn”

  • Franklyn (21/04/2021, 09:03) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    The only table anyone should sit with you is by a stinky sewage garbage bin until the sewage problem fix.
  • Easy (21/04/2021, 09:22) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Open the borders.
  • fight crime with crime (21/04/2021, 09:51) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Until the ones at the top are taken down, the ones on the bottom will continue to walk
  • old (21/04/2021, 09:59) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fine out how selling guns. We not making. Guns here. And how they working for.
  • josiah'sbay (21/04/2021, 10:19) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    The best way to deal with crime in the territory is for the people of the VI to stop engaging in it and stop partnering, hiding, covering, concealing and protecting those that do. "Drop a dime" on them even if they are friend, foe or family. it should be clear to us that they will do what they do too the detriment of the VI and move on leaving us to pickup the pieces.
  • premier (21/04/2021, 10:24) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    Them Better Do Sumn Quick Before Them Is Next In Line...People Got To Eat, Pay Rent And All kinda things..Give People Work To Do Find Ways No Excuse To Blame Corona A Fake Virus Y'all Hiding bwhind And Keeping The Country Lockdown When It Should Have Done Already Open Up...The Longer You Guys Take To Open The Borders..Chances Are The Quicker You Might Be NEXT!!! Don't Be Surprise When You See Them Infront Your Doorstep!!!
  • Real Talk (21/04/2021, 10:39) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    One of the ways is to block and sensor ya Girl C***Y for encouraging them. Period. “In C***y” voice.

    Seriously all jokes aside. The criminals actually listen to C***y. Remember her hands are good even feeling trigger happy according to her.
  • Stop pretending.. (21/04/2021, 13:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    U all know the answer open up the country free the people...All u all doing welll. U all dont really care, u all just bla bla bla in while people are hurting and suffering..
  • Servant of the Most High God in Christ Jesus (21/04/2021, 14:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The way forward against crimes is not lost. The
    way forward against crimes is the way of genuine love. Love is the way. love God our Creator and our neighbers equal to self. That means let go of all selfish, lustful and evil desires. God love triumph over B.V. I. love every time all the time.
  • @ real talk (21/04/2021, 15:25) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is that the best you can find to say ? / jaspert and mathews gorne now so only cindy you got left to crucify / if it was your mom / would you go looking for cindy ? People are being gunned DOWN LEFT right and center and your mind refuse to step out the gutter
    • Real Talk (21/04/2021, 18:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Real talk. I blame her for she’s a big encourager in all the Wrong things.
  • rewrsdffds (21/04/2021, 16:02) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    penn what you fuss about you had 8 years in public office in set in place and implement now chatting bull piss



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