'This must stop!'- Top CoP blasts human smuggling activities
"It has become obvious, that a very small minority of people are still intent on trying to smuggle goods or persons backwards or forwards into the Territory from locations outside, particularly the US Virgin Islands," Mr Matthews said in a social media PSA released Friday, August 21, 2020.
"This must stop, this is placing our communities at risk, it is placing my officers at risk."
He said as a result, the RVIPF is working with Her Majesty's Customs and the Immigration Service in a unified task force to patrol the sea and land, watching the VI's borders on a 24/7 basis.
No breaching of borders for any reason - ToP CoP
"Our borders remain closed, please do not attempt to try and breach the borders, whether it be for shopping, for meeting someone or just generally going out for a sail, you are putting us at risk. I ask your co-operation in keeping the Territory safe," he said.
The Top CoP further urged, "If you see something, please say something" by ringing the police control room at 311 on suspicion of human smuggling or persons contravening the closed borders.
"Please do not take risks and allow others to take risks with your lives and the lives of my officers, let's all work together to keep our community safe," Mr Matthews urged.
On August 21, 2020, the Territory confirmed 9 new cases of COVID-19 linked to a 12th case of the virus in an individual with no recent travel history, bringing the total confirmed cases in the VI to 21.
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48 Responses to “'This must stop!'- Top CoP blasts human smuggling activities”
Do you know whether you are positive for Covid-19?
If you were in a community where there was an outbreak of Measles or Chicken Pox would you have risked others catching it? Then, why do it for a more dangerous virus?
If you infected your parents/siblings/grandparents/children and anyone of them were to die from Covid-19 God forbid, would you still be selfish in your actions?
The USVI and Bahamas were in single digits and now the USVI has over 300 cases while Bahamas has over 1,400. This transpired in just over a month.
Contact the medical hotline at 852-7650 to arrange testing. Others who you were in contact with should do the same.
Do you rather you or your family and friends be 6 feet under or 6 feet or more apart?
Stop making foolish decisions and correct the error you made by illegally entering putting others at risk.
Shoot to kill without question? What if it was technical or engine failure resulting in the persons being aboard after dark? Whats if its a medical emergency?
Should the same be done on land as well....shoot to kill anyone breaking the curfew?
However, shoot on site may result in a greater evil than the acts to which its intention is to prevent.
What if it is an undercover officer on the job investigation whether colleagues are involved in wrongdoings or a medical practioner duly approved or permitted to be there due to a life saving medical emergency?
Again, efforts must be made to safeguard and protect the populace but under means that are just.
Overall, it is a valid point.
HOW IRONIC , WE ARE CONSIDER OF OF THE BOATING CAPITAL ,YET WE HAVE ONE PATROL BOAT AND NO BORDER RADAR.
Are we certain that the illegal entries were responsible for the covid or its just a coverup? Tell the truth about the number of cases that exist.
Why was permission given to individuals to traverse between BVI and St Thomas on a regular basis without being quarantined?
Why discriminate against one set but not against others. The underground economy exists mainly due to the perceived injustice associated with the legal system. I dont condone certain behaviours, but its understandable. Too much blame game without accepting responsibility...
It's been a situation of who you know, who could help who, who have something over who head, who money hungry, you name it.
Time longer than twine.
If they wanted to catch smugglers, they could position police boats, ohh they wrecked the new one. Hmm they could put constables in each and every area with a marina or beach suitable for landing a boat. We use to have constables in every village. Nah, just leave those police sitting at their stations with them feet prop up. We need a new police commissioner, this one is useless as his crew.
Even uk didn’t honor him after Irma.
Now he’s putting us at risk with Covid as he doesn’t know how to do his job. Just constantly meaning.
Do your job and uphold the law.
It isn’t that hard. Just means less time for you and gus to post sunsets and sailing in social media! Don’t forget we pay for your lifestyle here so do the work and stop complaining!!
2.The government should purchase 10 miles of floating oil booms and lay it from western point of Norman Island to the western point of JVD.
3. Then just patrol the floating boom with multiple boats like it's a fishing long line and arrest the people and boats caught in the boom every few hours. Drop off the prisoners on the barges and quarantine them at sea for 14 days before incarcerating them in the Bally prison.
Gus and mick just boast about their fancy bvi lifestyle on their social media they need to stop posting and start working!