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RVIPF recommends CCTV as home burglaries rise in 2023

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has said it has recorded 11 more dwelling burglaries in 2023 when compared to the same period last year. Photo: huffingtonpost.co.uk
Detective Inspector Vernon Larocque is advising the installation of home security cameras, in response to the rise in home burglaries in the Virgin Islands. Photo: griffelectric.com
Detective Inspector Vernon Larocque is advising the installation of home security cameras, in response to the rise in home burglaries in the Virgin Islands. Photo: griffelectric.com
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has said it has recorded 11 more dwelling burglaries in 2023 when compared to the same period last year.

It said the main areas affected are within the Road Town area and include Huntums Ghut, Horse Path, Pasea Estate, Lower Estate, Free Bottom, Main Street and McNamara.

The RVIPF in a press release on June 8, 2023, said perpetrators often gain entry to homes during the day through unsecured windows, especially those obscured from public view.

Head of the Criminal Investigations Department Acting Detective Chief Inspector Vernon Larocque says homeowners often report that they secured all the windows except for one window which needed to be repaired.

“In too many instances, this is the window that a perpetrator uses to gain access. Homeowners should take the time to repair the locking mechanism for any inoperable windows and lock all windows that allow for easy access. Burglars are looking for any weak points of entry. If there is not an easy way to enter, a burglar will likely move on,” Larocque said.

An ‘easy deterrent is CCTV’- Chief Inspector Vernon Larocque

The Detective Inspector also advises the installation of home security cameras.

“Another easy deterrent is closed circuit television. In this modern era, CCTV is accessible, inexpensive, and easy to install. The footage can be stored remotely on the cloud and can be monitored in real-time from any location around the world. Law enforcement can also be alerted while the offence is being committed.

“While there are no full-proof measures to prevent burglaries, there is some peace of mind knowing that even if you are not at home, there are eyes keeping watch and recording activities in and around your property,” he added.

Recent burglaries showed that cash, jewelry and tools were the items predominately stolen.

Persons who can assist police with information into any burglary can confidentially call the Crime Stoppers line 800-8477 (TIPS) or overseas call 1-284-800-8477 with the relevant information or contact the RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 368-9339.

14 Responses to “RVIPF recommends CCTV as home burglaries rise in 2023”

  • I’m good (09/06/2023, 07:59) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    I already have my indoor cameras set up in my home. I can sit at work or anywhere else and see what is going on around my home on my phone. If they somehow manage to get in my home they are going to feel the wrath of my pit bull dog. I don’t think anyone want to experience what it is like to get cornered in an enclosed environment with a pit bull dog protecting his home.
  • warning (09/06/2023, 08:13) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    The burglars may get in my home but they will not make it out in one piece. The crime scene unit will be taken them out of my home in zip lock bags when my two dogs is finish with them.
  • steupes (09/06/2023, 08:27) Like (15) Dislike (3) Reply
    Why they need cameras for and ayo saw a man ain’t shoot another man by UPs Cinema and still charged him for murder. Make it make sense. Drop the whole charges save the man lawyer money
  • NO MORE PETTY CONTRACTS (09/06/2023, 09:02) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    SO NOW WE ARE EXPERIENCING PETTY THEFT COMPLIMENTS OF THE VIP GOVERNMENT
  • hmm (09/06/2023, 09:03) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    I AM GONNA PUT A LIL MAN IN MY HOUSE TO GUARD IT
  • @ WARNING & I'M GOOD (09/06/2023, 09:29) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    WHAT YOU BOTH SAID SOUNDS GOOD , BUT THE DOGS WILL BARK AT THE FIRST SIGN OF AN INTRUDER , PLUS THESE NEW SOPHISTICATED SET OT THIEVES DON'T GO IN WITHOUT THEIR GUNS , SO SOME LIVE WIRES WILL BE VERY EFFECTIVE IN BAR B QUING THEM , AND THEN FEED THEIR BAR B Q ARZ TO YOUR PITBULLS / THAT WILL BE KILLING TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE ( ???? ???? AND AM SURE WE WON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THEM AGAIN ~ EVER
    • warning (10/06/2023, 06:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Believe it or not, my dogs are well trained to keep quiet and attack if someone that is not suppose to be in the home breaks into the home. They can break into my home with a gun but they cannot over power a pit bull and a Rottweiler. The best attack dogs are a pit bull, Rottweiler and German Sheppard. They will do some serious damage or more to protect their home.

  • Licence (09/06/2023, 11:32) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    How can one go about obtaining a licence to carry a gun in the BVI? Asking for a friend.
  • TO RVIPF (09/06/2023, 12:01) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dear Mr. Commissioner,

    I would like to see meaningful police presence throughout the BVI, in every village, district, through Road Town and in the back and front streets. The more police officers we have, the less we see. I am wondering if the police are working on-line. If something happens, they all come out like cockroaches that just get flit with raid. I am not impressed with the crappy community policing that's on facebook making a mockery of things. once upon a time police use to be on the beat, and can be seen from time to time. They are all now drilling for a parade and we will see them out in full force while homes and businesses are being burglarized. The culprits do not have any fear of the police and the law because youall give them nothing to fear.
    • Help yourself! (09/06/2023, 12:32) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
      Stop complaining. You need to do what the Inspector say. Help yourself! Get some cameras. Protect what's yours. Police can't be everywhere.
      • be quiet (09/06/2023, 13:45) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
        People with mentality like yours is the reason we are where we are. Yes, everyone should act responsibly and do what they have to protect themselves. Citizens have a role and the police have a role. Which one of us going leave a table of money outside or leave our homes unsecured. If the police do not have any responsibility then let's shut down the force. No, the cannot be everywhere and who said that, but they should have a visible presence
      • @help (09/06/2023, 21:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Not everywhere but I would settle for them being on our roads patrolling regularly.
  • Oh sure… (09/06/2023, 12:43) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    CCTV cameras you say? What about issues related to nthe admissibily in court? Would the police even use them? Why not start telling people to put burglar bars on windows, barbed wire on walls?
    At the end of the day, burglaries are manifestation of the lack of opportunity for youths. Minimum wage is $ 6, day’s wage as a laborer is $ 150 but the price of everything has gone up. Education (academic and vocational) is neither valued nor supported. Youths grow up seeing pols helping themselves with impunity. Any surprise?
  • herbs power (10/06/2023, 05:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Do we have the right to dismiss them without jail time when caught?


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