'This is the first time I really feel unsafe' in VI– Hon Marlon A. Penn
This is a very difficult time for all of us in this territory. I mean, this is the first time I really feel unsafe, even just to be social,” Hon Penn told a panelist during the Monday, November 23, 2023, episode of Talking Points on ZBVI 780 AM.
People killed outside entertainment spots – Hon Penn
“You see very popular local, local establishments, people have been killed outside, right in East End,” he added.
Hon Penn said there have even been murders right in front of his grandparents’ home where he would visit two or three times a week. “So for me, this is a very concerning situation,” he detailed.
The Opposition Member noted that he asked a question in the House of Assembly (HoA), directed to the Premier, about having a committee of the entire house to address the issue of crime.
“Crime is not just a national security issue, it's an issue for all of us as leaders of a country. So, all of us need to be a part of this discussion and this discourse and what the plan is moving forward to address the issue of crime,” he added.
There have been six fatal shootings for 2023, with the latest being the gunning down of 25-year-old Julio Rivera at Wickham’s Cay I on November 6, 2023.
More conversations on crime needed – Hon Penn
Hon Penn continued that while legislators have had conversations with the local police force led by Commissioner of Police Mark Collins, there is a need for an ongoing conversation at the local level.
He spoke about the East End Police Station being closed and said it was reopened after he and some concerned citizens raised their voices against it.
One of the panelists of Talking Points, Mrs Violet Thomas-Gall, spoke about her experience in witnessing crime in the East End area and also asserted that the district is now an unsafe one.
“It’s unfortunate that we have to have that stigma attached to our community,” Mr Penn added while calling for more to be done about crime in the VI.
Anti-crime summit
Meanwhile, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said there will be an anti-crime summit in the first quarter of 2024.
Dr Wheatley said the summit will draw on the expertise of various stakeholder groups including religious organisations, government agencies, schools, the police and other civil society groups.
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20 Responses to “'This is the first time I really feel unsafe' in VI– Hon Marlon A. Penn”
Hon. Marlon you have all right to‼️ It is the environment you and other leaders created for the past 20 years by not putting programs in place for misguided youths and I used the word misguided in a careful context because what these youths have turned into is way worst than being misguided.
You guys focused on putting the resources in your p****ts and not in programs for the children but you continue to preach that the youths are the future. You have Dist. Rep 6 with his ownership of youths with his BS youth for as if they should only be for he and he ended up being arrested and there he is right back in the HOA.
We all know what happened to the Bronx Bummer and since then it have been youth after youth going six under.
Our leaders are leading with example so don’t expect less of what you are seeing.
Be the change you want the community to be and then you will see change.
A set of wasted time and resources all of you guys are, PERIODTTT!!!
Lets stop talk and lets START TO DO mehson! Stop waste trip and tax payer money on trip about global climate change and focus on social change at home. Sick fools.
Ammunition is not made here or cocaine therefore Guns or Drugs have to be coming across the borders
the political leaders need to stop fussing among themselves and question the United Kingdom representatives as to the lack of border security and the unsolved crimes
While in House of Assembly ask the Governor about the lack of defensive border security and the Commissioner of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force about the unsolved crimes and the rise in criminal activity in this Territory
What we need is for the Police to enforce the laws of the Virgin Islands. If they don't know how, then they need to be taught. Why the Governor not brought in trainers from the British Army to train them? that is what the Government need to be asking for and stop play politics with people's lives.