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NSC welcomes introduction of daily foot patrols by police officers in RT

- also welcomes the projected increase in RVIPF by 30 officers in next 3 to 4 months
The National Security Council (NSC) has welcomed the introduction of daily foot patrols by police officers in the Road Town area. Photo: VINO/File
Two of the armed robbers about to make their getaway after robbing Aladdin Jewellery Store on Flemming Street today, February 9, 2024. Photo: Team of Reporters
Two of the armed robbers about to make their getaway after robbing Aladdin Jewellery Store on Flemming Street today, February 9, 2024. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Following the daring armed robbery on Aladdin Jewellery Store on Flemming Street on Friday, February 9, 2024, the National Security Council (NSC) met on Monday, February 12, 2024, to consider the implications of the recent security incidents.

According to a statement from the NSC, it has welcomed the increase in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force by 30 police officers projected over the next three to four months.

Foot patrols

The NSC also welcomed the introduction of daily foot patrols by police officers in the Road Town area.

The public has long been calling for more police presence in Road Town, particularly foot patrols.

The NSC also noted the forthcoming training for police officers on ports security, and stressed the importance of cross-community and cross-government collaboration to address the underlying factors that lead to crime.

The NSC encouraged all communities throughout the Territory to support the police in the current investigations, including by calling Crime Stoppers and the confidential and untraceable hotline 800-8477[TIPS], 800-847-8477 and 368-9339.

It was just after 10:00 AM on Friday last when 4 heavily armed masked men entered Aladdin Jewellery Store and made off with a number of items. The incident was captured on security cameras and was even recorded on camera by members of the public.

Police have not disclosed whether anyone has yet been arrested.

The NSC

The National Security Council considers matters relating to internal security and any significant security developments in the Territory, including the occurrence of significant criminal activity.

The NSC comprises the Governor, as Chairman and members, including the Premier, the Minister for Communication and Works, the Attorney General (ex-officio) and the Commissioner of Police (ex-officio).

18 Responses to “NSC welcomes introduction of daily foot patrols by police officers in RT”

  • Campbell soup (13/02/2024, 10:11) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    Foot patrol meaning officers walking through town with a big light blue ticket book. SMH
    • .... (13/02/2024, 12:28) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      yessah only thing them looking for is seat belt and tint...might smell a lil weed now and again
  • retired (13/02/2024, 10:11) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    "Welcome the introduction of foot patrols?" This is the heartbeat of policing!!!When you walk you see more. In the 80s to mid 20s it was just what we did. So why is this now considered being introduced? I am alarmed at the progressive degradation of my RVIPF. Why no foot patrols? Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner, this is your call. Get it done. Thank you.
  • im surprise (13/02/2024, 10:11) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    It took them long enough. Now make sure they are well armed and train in the case of another robbery (God forbid).
  • guy hill (13/02/2024, 10:22) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    The NSC comprises the Governor, as Chairman and members, including the Premier, the Minister for Communication and Works, the Attorney General (ex-officio) and the Commissioner of Police (ex-officio).

    This body needs to include personnel from Customs, Immigration and the Prison services. They need to act and be seen to be acting within the legal aspects of the law, be community oriented and conscious of the happenings in criminal activity.
    • hmm (13/02/2024, 20:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Please people stop mixing this thing up about put custom, immigration and Prison. Stop it.
  • For how long..?? (13/02/2024, 10:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nothing new, just a replay of The usual re-action..
  • pat (13/02/2024, 10:31) Like (2) Dislike (19) Reply
    Collins must go!
  • Winky (13/02/2024, 10:33) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    On foot with batons against robbers in cars with AK47s.
    • @ Winky (13/02/2024, 12:28) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      On foot, you get to create a presence, get to meet and know the people that you are policing and see and hear more of what is happening. When and why did this ever stop?
  • HMMM (13/02/2024, 11:26) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    In some countries it have police outpost at different locations. In bvi I'm suggesting one be at the parking lot by republic bank one at one stop mall area one somewhere in Flemming street one in humptum ghut one close to the high school. At the pier, next to the ferry dock. Etc
    • Hmm (13/02/2024, 13:58) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      The police can still patrol and some bikes are needed too for them. they can use the outposts to rest. if its two of them they can take turn patrolling at a certain area they are assigned to. with this patrons can always see police on the road
  • Silence (13/02/2024, 11:44) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    if one or more of these officers get injured or killed in the line of duty will the same people that calling for foot patrol who may see or heard something come forward to give information that may lead to their relatives or friends getting arrested??you the public not coming forward to give information on the criminals that targeting your close friends and relatives is when they injured or killed the police you would come forward??please help me out here
  • Hmm (13/02/2024, 11:50) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    and with that said we are now having to become a police state because our communities collectively accept and turn a blind eye to crime. Somebody always know somebody, and somebody always know something, but they do nothing so now police presence have to increase, and their enforcement will be more forceful and less forgiving.
  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (13/02/2024, 14:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I welcome the NSC move. It hopefully will help lesson the crimes what have being ongoing in the Road Town area,. However as things are at this time, criminally speaking, make sure that the foot police are well protected.
    In my view I thing that the time has come for at least two ((2) armor vehicle to to added in the fight against serious crimes, as as has happened last Friday. Hash aggressive behaviors should be met with hash defensive response. Serious action should be met with serious counter measures.

    More need to be done by business owners.

    See below:
    1. Loud sounding emergency break-in alarm connected to the police station.

    2. Similar sounds like barking dogs, cars horns or maybe loud sounding blank shots, if needed.
    Such actions must first be approved by the NSC before installment.

    3. Personal experiencive drones to help monitor your business, at to get license plates of get away vehicle, if the criminal or criminals are not apprehended while the crime is in process.

    I am a practical non-violence believer.

  • resident (13/02/2024, 15:54) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    waste of time hiring more of them, all they will do is sit in the h.q or drive the vehicles up and down doing nothing, we have enough cops we just need them to be better trained
  • Jack I tell yo (14/02/2024, 10:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Introducing?!? Back in the days they use to foot patrol all down by the hospital and all everybody and everything got tickets especially up against the same hospital wall, but this new set lazy four to five of them in a vehicle buh patrol
  • Real People (15/02/2024, 07:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    It had it many times before in the past Now most recently its was only for the new recruits. Then streets empty again. They can never stick to some consistently


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