Curfew lifted in USVI
However, the curfew remains in place in the [British] Virgin Islands (VI) despite calls in some sections of society for it to be ended.
Stating that he was not a fan of “arresting the civil liberties of free citizens,” Governor Mapp, during his hurricane recovery press briefing on Monday October 31, 2017, ended the territory-wide curfew.
The move comes nearly two months after Hurricane Irma devastated St Thomas, and more than 6 weeks following Hurricane Maria’s ravaging of St Croix.
According to the VI Consortium, a USVI based publication, the lifting of the curfew comes as the [US] Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) continues to make progress in power restoration — 38 percent of St Thomas has been restored, 19 percent of St Croix and 14 percent of St John. But with most of the territory’s main thoroughfares still dark, and all but two traffic lights on St Croix operable as of Monday, Governor Mapp urged residents to be careful.
“One step closer to recovery and there is no curfew that will be in effect this evening, giving free rein to the community to move as you deem appropriate — I simply ask that you be careful on the roadway. We have much work to do,” Mr Mapp said as he ended the restriction.
Lift curfew in VI- Willock
Meanwhile, in late September, Mr Julian Willock, a former Permanent Secretary with the Virgin Islands Government, businessman and an astute writer and speaker on local, regional and international politics, had called on the United Kingdom (UK) appointed Governor of the Virgin Islands, Augustus J. U. Jaspert aka 'Gus', to lift the curfew immediately.
Speaking exclusively to our newsroom, Mr Willock said after weeks of speaking to both the local police, the British Military at Nanny Cay, at the Airport and some at the Governor's Office, "I am sufficiently confident that the security concerns are under control therefore the curfew is no longer necessary and I call on Mr Jaspert to immediately lift it."
The former Director of the Water and Sewerage Department also said lifting of the curfew now "will go a far way to restore confidence, help business activities, reduce long lines at gas stations, laundries and food places and bring back a sense of normalcy."
When asked if the drivers will get in the way of the utility companies' operations and slow down restoration works, Mr Willock said, "they can do the normal road closure in the areas where they are working, the public will certainly understand this, as we all want our power back like yesterday."
The existing curfew runs from 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM.
9 Responses to “Curfew lifted in USVI”
Keep the curfew on til electricity is on and the roads are improved.
Abide with the rules and laws of the land. You will become a more law abiding citizen and more disciplined. You can only get better, not worst.