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Stench of sewage forces closure of EE Police Station ‘until further notice’

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has informed the public that the East End Police Station will be closed from today, Friday, April 19, 2024, until further notice. Photo: VINO/File
Deputy Commissioner of Police Jacqueline E. Vanterpool emphasised that the closure of the East End Police Station is a ‘temporary solution’ and that officers will be accessible but not working out of the building. Photo: GIS/File
Deputy Commissioner of Police Jacqueline E. Vanterpool emphasised that the closure of the East End Police Station is a ‘temporary solution’ and that officers will be accessible but not working out of the building. Photo: GIS/File
EAST END, Tortola, VI- The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has informed the public that the East End Police Station will be closed from today, Friday, April 19, 2024, until further notice.

Police patrols to continue

According to the RVIPF in a press release late Thursday, April 18, 2024, this closure is due to ongoing sewerage works conducted by the Government of the Virgin Islands in the parking lot adjacent to the station.

These works have affected the health and well-being of our officers and necessitated the immediate evacuation of the premises, the press release stated.

“While the station building will be closed, we want to reassure residents of the East End district that law enforcement services will remain operational. Officers will continue patrolling the district, ensuring the safety and security of the community. They can be contacted at 368-9704 for immediate response to reports,” Police stated.

‘Slight stench’ of sewage

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police Jacqueline E. Vanterpool, commenting on a social media platform today, said she, along with two of her Commanding Officers visited the station yesterday and “we experienced the slight stench for ourselves.

“I had to make ONLY temporary decision for the officers living and working out of the station. When the water is completely drained and the hole covered, the decision will be revisited. I stand in full support of my decision made for the safety of our officers. I could not turn a dead ear to the complaints lodged by the officers,” Vanterpool stated.

‘Temporary solution’- Jacqueline E. Vanterpool

The Deputy Commissioner emphasised that the closure of the station is a “temporary solution” and that officers will be accessible but not working out of the building.

When word first got out that the East End Police Station would be closed, there were concerns as the public had been asking for all police stations across the territory to be open and accessible to the public.

Making it clear that it is not his preference to have his officers on 24-hour shifts at the East End and West End Police Stations, Commissioner of Police Mark Collins had said in October of 2023, that he had listened to the concerns of the public, and both police stations would have officers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

26 Responses to “Stench of sewage forces closure of EE Police Station ‘until further notice’”

  • Madussa (19/04/2024, 09:39) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    If the government cannot fix its Police Station problems, imagine what we residents have been suffering through for so long. Only now are they looking into it? The whole area stinks! Welcome Tourists to STINKVILLE!
  • resident (19/04/2024, 10:04) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bvi Love
  • This (19/04/2024, 10:05) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Joke this. Telling the robbers to go ahead
  • Nothing New (19/04/2024, 10:10) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    There's raw sewage in the yard at the pump Station at Road Town .........

    Such a shame not only on the Government but also the Men who normally work there ....
  • 2024 (19/04/2024, 10:11) Like (26) Dislike (0) Reply
    shameful because Government finds Tax Payers Money to bring various Entertainers into our Country yet not Spending Tax Payers money on Vital Projects throughout the Islands of the Territory……
  • ccc (19/04/2024, 10:17) Like (2) Dislike (15) Reply

    Bull crap where is cor*** Collins

    • To ccc (19/04/2024, 12:59) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
      Last time I checked Collins was not the head of water and sewage
    • Vi Hu (19/04/2024, 15:59) Like (2) Dislike (17) Reply
      Who look out for the popos? Not CoP FCO EE Reps X 2, GBVI or Governor none nada zilch. How long was this plot plan to park the community sewage in station parking lot? Was there no other place to put it? Why the CoP did not seek to relocate the Police in the district?
      • Ki Yuk (23/04/2024, 20:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        There’s a glitch in the system. Critique the elected not those who are actually in charge. Vice versa will work. One against the other never together. In this way there’s opposition and each can have a side t hate.
  • hmm (19/04/2024, 11:50) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    Excellent but no worries, we have music fest in a month and we will saver everyone 50% on their light bills with the magical solar systems powered by the Senegal Man.
  • @ccc (19/04/2024, 12:50) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Cleaning all the s**t up!!!
  • @ccc (19/04/2024, 12:52) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh, I didn't know he was the minister for water & sewage stups
  • to the dogs (19/04/2024, 12:59) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    This report says alot about where this country is heading. Straight to the dogs. It has been a long time that the evidence of raw sewarage has been building up right at the doorstep of the East Police Station and nearby areas. Not only police officers are expected to work in the middle of the stench, but pedestrians, especially our young ones going to school and elderly who cannot jump fast enough are expected to walk through the mess. Yet we boast of our millions and cannot get our sewerage and trash problems under control.

    Don't come on here to respond that private residents does this and does that. BVI are people of habits and having our own way, and we have problems following the law. If a homeowner violates a law or policy, then fine them and have them correct it right away. In my community overseas, I have to be guided by so many little laws, up to the point where on a snow day, I cannot say that I was too sick to clear my sidewalk. Let us clean up the place and stop lamenting in house of assembly with the phrases 'when we were in office' this happened and that happened. See where we are at as a result of the current and past governments, leaders and heads of departments. We can do better. We are better than this
  • skuntington (19/04/2024, 13:26) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    why fix the sewage when locals are considered Dalits and work with the filth, lets use the funds for summer splash 24
  • WHAT!!! (19/04/2024, 13:48) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    The police station can close down because of the stink but what about the people who live there , they can not move out???
  • Throw a party (19/04/2024, 15:08) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    When is the non-stop sewage stench party pleeeasse?!
  • stench wrench (19/04/2024, 16:15) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    Its not exactly from sewage. Its from something more mobile. Perhaps since Frau Vanterpool is Deputy Commissioner of police, she can explain why all the emails from Herr Fox in the USA go unanswered. Or maybe
    they are being deleted when they come in. The ones about what happened with private and government entities
    in sept-oct 2018 in Carrot Bay and West End, to refresh her memory. As in crippling his right hand when he was a classical pianist. Among other things. Perhaps the BVI and its 'police' needs some persuasion to accept responsibility and pay for it. Perhaps they want to pay for it in an unpleasant way. Yah?
  • Lack of care (19/04/2024, 16:17) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Unfortunately the BVI lacks any form of health and safety. The sewage will be fixed but what about the mould infested buildings the cops are working in. One day a big litigation is coming due to illness
  • East Side (19/04/2024, 18:29) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    So way police them is if station close
  • guy hill (20/04/2024, 06:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sad that the country smell of sewerage much worst than when pit toilets dotted the island 40/50 years ago.
  • Utter Nonsense (20/04/2024, 09:32) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Deputy Commissioner what stench are you talking about exactly? I live in the area and can't smell anything. VI Block is next to the well and nothing affecting them? Please tell us the real reason the station is being closed. When the hole was being dug to install the well, with your own eyes you saw the water pouring in from the "sea", there is absolutely "NO" sewage in that hole. Do you think the residents of Long Swamp and those who traverse that area daily could do so comfortably if there was a scent of sewage? It's time we stop misleading the people and stop chatting utter nonsense. THATS IT!!!
  • Hmm (20/04/2024, 11:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    so what about the people living nearby?
    • @ Hmm (22/04/2024, 10:03) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Dem lie. Just say that the station will be closed until the works right next to it is largely completed. The lil seaweed smell being referred to is minor and no sewerage running by the police station either. If we can't depend on the Police to tell us the truth how we gwine get ahead.
  • WOW (22/04/2024, 08:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The sewerage issue has been a longstanding problem, which urgently needs to be addressed, so proactive and sensible measures have been long overdue for addressing that. However, how can public officials give lip service to cracking down on gun violence and crime whilst at the same time closing down a Police Station in one of the most densely populated segments of the BVI without an announcement of temporary alternate accommodations being arranged. Public safety and law enforcement needs to be a tangible priority not just a talking point for political speeches. So officials please get our house in order and find alternate accommodations for the East End Police, whilst the sewerage issues are being addressed, as national safety must certainly be more important than national entertainment events.


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