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BVICCHA wants meeting with CoP & Crime Stoppers on crime

- said it is unnerving that thefts & robberies have involved gun violence
The BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA) has said it is deeply concerned about the increase in criminal activity in the Virgin Islands, particularly those targeting businesses in the past few months. Photo: VINO/File
Chairman of the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA), Mrs Shaina M. Smith-Archer, left, has indicated that the Chamber has requested a meeting with the Commissioner of Police, Mark Collins, right, and the Chairman of the Crime Stoppers to discuss solutions to empower businesses to secure themselves and the support businesses need from law enforcement. Photo: Facebook/GIS/File
Chairman of the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA), Mrs Shaina M. Smith-Archer, left, has indicated that the Chamber has requested a meeting with the Commissioner of Police, Mark Collins, right, and the Chairman of the Crime Stoppers to discuss solutions to empower businesses to secure themselves and the support businesses need from law enforcement. Photo: Facebook/GIS/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA) has said it is deeply concerned about the increase in criminal activity in the Virgin Islands, particularly those targeting businesses in the past few months.

‘Unnerving’

The Chairman, Mrs Shaina M. Smith-Archer, indicated that the Chamber has requested a meeting with the Commissioner of Police and the Chairman of the Crime Stoppers to discuss solutions to empower businesses to secure themselves and the support businesses need from law enforcement.

“It is especially unnerving that these thefts and robberies have involved gun violence. Crime is terrible in any community, and we want the Virgin Islands to remain a safe place to live, work and do business, and we need to safeguard that by any means necessary,” the BVICCHA Chairman stated in a press release on April 23, 2021.

Businesses ‘further stressed’

The Chamber noted that the business community is already facing unprecedented hardship in an economic recession and the growing costs of doing business.

“Now they are further stressed with worries about keeping their employees and customers safe from criminal activity. Business owners have also expressed anxiety about the ripple effect on the tourism sector because visitors need to feel that the Virgin Islands remains a safe place to visit,” the Chamber said.

The Chamber also extended condolences to the family of the business owner who recently lost her life and extended support to all other owners who have been affected by crime in some way.

The BVICCHA said anyone who has information that could help the police solve any crime to call 311.

16 Responses to “BVICCHA wants meeting with CoP & Crime Stoppers on crime”

  • DON Q (25/04/2021, 11:52) Like (4) Dislike (10) Reply
    They playing politics yet again
    • Poor Man Johnny (25/04/2021, 14:23) Like (14) Dislike (7) Reply
      I guess when they rob and kill the "lil poor man" that's okay, but if they targeting the rich, then the big ballers get worried SMH
  • Shush to you Don Q (25/04/2021, 12:44) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    This is a serious problem and negative comments are no help at all at all.
  • Ghut Man (25/04/2021, 12:50) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    If tourists were worried about high crime rates in the places they visit then nobody would ever visit St. Thomas. The USVI has far more crime and murders compared to the BVI, yet look the USVI tourism and hospitality industry is stronger than it has ever been right now because everyone is desperate to go on vacation after covid last year. Them man just instigating more fear-mongering.

    When the borders fully open again our beautiful BVI and its people will prosper as we have done in years past.
    • @Ghut man. Not so fast, (26/04/2021, 06:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      USVI economy is strong and doing well now only because paradise been shut down for too long,,,We all know the BVI is the paradise of the virgin Islands,. Bad leadership have been failing us,,,,,,,We bounce back and took our rightful position,,,,
  • Servant of the most high God in Jesus the Christ (25/04/2021, 13:00) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Note the unbalance request by unbalance minded people. Crime in the B.V.I affected all citizens, not only some. Why favor police protectuon fior business persons and their intrest and not equally for non-business persons that are also vulnerable? Oh, I see. It's a money thing. Pay for equal protection.
    It has been this way for a long time. Then we advertise to the world about B.V.I so-call love. God's love is not side tilted, balance. "What good for the goose should so be good for the gander.
  • cay (25/04/2021, 13:45) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Shanna please give it up you are not electable
  • when (25/04/2021, 13:53) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
    U all sit back and watch unjust happen it always will come back and affect u and all in turn....lockdown..corvid 19 ...political vaccination force agenda by the bvi government........god dont sleep...wat effect the minority will in turn affect the same one of it cause...
  • We community need (25/04/2021, 14:07) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    A meeting concerning everything that is take place here in our bvi community since this corvid 19 incredible announcement that being enforcing these un necessary action thst is killing our economy business and causing this sudden rise of crime ...that the solution addressing the head of the problem..high cost of everything thing necessary for life survival...this a dam crime on humanity man
  • Go sit down (25/04/2021, 16:20) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    that establishment need to have conversation with the young boys on the block because the devil will continue to find work for idol hands. the growing problem in the territory because most folks are mostly concerned with how others sees us and not how we see ourselves. that Association only concern because how tourists will perceived the british virgin islands in the wake of the recent spike in serious crime however were most of the visitors comes from have far more criminal conduct than road town; start to take better care of home affairs first make home affairs priority. tell the affiliates and board members within that association to give our people jobs get them off the street. let the commissioner of police work on his sun tan
  • Get on with it (25/04/2021, 19:45) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Imagine! The BVICCHA need to tell the media that they meeting with the Commissioner? Why? To make the members happy? Or to tell the public they relevant? A meeting doesn't say you're doing anything. This is not news! This says you don't have a clue. Exactly how the politicians behave who also don't have a clue. Just waving their hands in the air. Stop wasting the Cop time. At least the police arresting people.
  • CCTV (25/04/2021, 20:56) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    All we need is CCTV. I repeat, all we need is CCTV. Is there anybody out there!??? All we need is CCTV. The government has spent $83m on the police and STILL we have no CCTV. Someone please hear me
    • @ CCT TV. Ask the Doctor (26/04/2021, 06:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      We have CCTV the previous government paid a lot to put them up. How many, and how many are actually working,,,,, and are they in the right location,. One thing for sure,,. We need a lot more,,,, Every tall building in and around town need at least two each the tall buildings have the ability to see in the distance,,,
  • no justice (26/04/2021, 08:45) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    No peace....


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