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Mentally ill person holds man @ knife point; Another attacks tourist- RVIPF

Police are again recording an upsurge in incidents involving persons with mental illness. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Police are again recording an upsurge in incidents involving persons with mental illness.

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) in a press release today, September 23, 2022, said within the last month, the RVIPF recorded eight incidents involving persons who either displayed behavior of mental illness or are registered mentally ill persons.

Incidents involving mentally ill persons

Police said one woman was accused of entering two establishments in Road Town and grabbing the handbag of an unsuspecting patron. Onlookers assisted in the retrieval of these handbags. She was taken to the Behavioral Ward of the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital and was treated.

In another incident, according to the RVIPF, a male in dirty clothing swung a bag at a female tourist while she was walking on Main Street. She fell back and he tried to continue his assault, but was chased away by persons in the area. She received some minor bruises to her knee.

This past week, police said, a registered mental patient was seen illegally entering a vessel at Frenchman’s Cay. When questioned by Police, he responded incoherently. Nothing was removed from the vessel. Three days later, he was reportedly seen pounding the hood of a vehicle while holding the driver at knifepoint. He was apprehended by Police and taken to the Behavioral Ward where he is being treated.

A male was seen exiting an unlocked vehicle while parked in Sea Cow’s Bay. His unresponsive behavior led officers to take him to the Behavioral Ward for evaluation.

Caregivers should seek assistance- RVIPF

Considering the recent incidents, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force is asking caregivers to make the necessary calls for assistance at the first signs of changes in behaviour.

Persons are also invited to call the RVIPF Control Room number 311 if they see or suspect an individual will inflict harm to himself or others.

22 Responses to “Mentally ill person holds man @ knife point; Another attacks tourist- RVIPF”

  • Send help Lord. (23/09/2022, 10:49) Like (33) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why are these people on the street?
    • the rock (24/09/2022, 03:35) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Because no one gives a damn, look at that young lady who does be by bobbies or by Rtw, you gone tell me all them high class woman living in this society none can say let me try and help her, especially those in high clubs!
      • Margarita (24/09/2022, 18:19) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
        That’s not fair, for example I have tried to help Yellow many times and been disappointed in her reaction to some chicken when she wanted a beer.

        It’s not our responsibility as a community who are already all struggling to take care of our own.

        The government should have stepped in years ago, what ever happened to poor Iggy?
        I believe with the correct meds these poor souls may have a life worth living.

        I don’t see you doing anything to help, perhaps you should think before opening your mouth and try be kind and never judge.

  • Fix it now (23/09/2022, 10:57) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    Stop playing the game of who is responsible and do the right thing to protect the mental health patient and the community. God forbid they hurt someone and that person retaliates to save their life and end the mental health person’s own. Families of these people stop turning a blind eye. Fix this now.
  • asura (23/09/2022, 11:41) Like (10) Dislike (4) Reply
    we all mental we need an election
  • Slackness (23/09/2022, 12:40) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    Until one of them kill somebody, they will be left to roam the street and terrorize other residents
    • Norris Turnbull (24/09/2022, 05:05) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      @slackness . And send up the prison where there is no program to deal with them and to Waste away. Sickening
  • hmmm (23/09/2022, 13:15) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Treatment = Injection of poison and let back out on the street! But all is well in paradise....
  • D white lady (23/09/2022, 14:33) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is taking over minds of some people slowly and and according to what a blogger sai now with the introduction of pills ???? extascy and whatever mind altering pills we have on the streets here , this could get worse if something isn't done with these people after being treated , ( letting them out to go back into the same environment , just don't make sense ,
  • Lilly (23/09/2022, 14:40) Like (35) Dislike (0) Reply
    Perhaps the Government needs to build a proper institution for assisting the mentally ill as opposed to building a detention centre for illegal immigrants on their way to the USVI.
  • Real Macoy (23/09/2022, 14:41) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    This situation needs to be dealt with seriously before it gets out of hand.
  • Hmm (23/09/2022, 14:52) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Psychiatrists are needed so is an oncologist and a better lab with better pathologist
    we are paying enough taxes to get this done
  • support (23/09/2022, 16:33) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    What are the "necessary calls for assistance"? If caregivers and mentally-ill patients alike don't know who to call, or can't call, to seek assistance, who's really to blame?
  • high time (23/09/2022, 18:23) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    Tortola is a slack place where all these mental patients roaming the street. Come on government and family .a mental home is need to put these people in .if you go to st.vincent and other Caribbean country there are homes for these people.you are waiting for something serious to happen before you do something
  • Have (23/09/2022, 21:23) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is what we do all the time talk. And no action. Pepole do things to people. And say they mad. If you mad kill your self these mad man now what they are donig..
  • Hdn (23/09/2022, 22:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    She's on crack not mentally ill
  • rhrb (23/09/2022, 22:56) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    These people are not mentally ill they are on drugs. Stop lying
  • luck (23/09/2022, 23:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Them west man does make people disappear.
  • Hmm (24/09/2022, 00:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I guess this is the time to redevelop Safe Haven to house individuals after there stay at the Behavioral Health Unit. I never understood the purpose of that place if it’s not to house the mentally Ill? Clearly the center needs desperate attention and new management to create effective change for the this population. We such change you need efficient staff trained to handle such patients and not pigs and bullies to rough persons likes these up.
  • Big Slick Willie (24/09/2022, 12:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yeah. That’s great for the tourism you need to return.
  • concern (27/09/2022, 07:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Every country in the world has a mental institution to provide proper care for its mentally challenged citizens except the bvi, mental health is everyone responsibility, but the government has the biggest role...
  • Medz (28/09/2022, 07:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Drug abuse is a mental illness.


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