'Tourism product, economy & safety under threat by crime'- Hon Fahie
This is according to Leader of the Opposition and First District Representative, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) in a statement following the gruesome double murder of two young men on Saturday, February 10, 2018 in the vicinity of the Althea Scatliffe Primary School (ASPS).
He urged that crime can no longer be fought normally, adding that forums with the community are a must to finding solutions.
The Opposition Leader emphasised that it will take proper funding to have cameras and police to patrol communities.
"It will take proper funding to include cameras all around the Territory, more armed officers accompanying unarmed officers on the streets all around the BVI while doing their patrolling, more timely stop and search, education in our schools and communities of the negative impact that crime has on us as a people and as a Territory, community out reach programmes because we all have a role to play in the fight against crime, our churches coming together in prayer because with God all things are possible especially in the restoring of sound moral principles in our different communities," explained Hon Fahie.
Meanwhile, he called on the parents to help in the fight, adding that they have the "greatest role" to play and if they instill "sound moral principles", it will assist in reducing crime in the territory.
The legislator said, "It is not too late. All these and more are some of the proactive approaches that must be taken forthwith so that as much as possible our Territory stays ahead of crime and not, for the most part, reacting to it. Together we must work hand in glove in exhausting all efforts in the restoring of the sense of peace, safety and security to the Virgin Islands."
Dead is 24 year old Clevaughn Sweeney and 26 year old Michael Stevens who came under heavy gunfire in the wee hours of February 10, 2018.
Residents speak out against crime
Residents have voiced their opinions over the gun crimes that have been taking place and they all agreed that these types of killings must stop and that the police needs community support.
One resident said, "I hear people blaming the police but how can they expect the police to curve crime without the public. It is also up to the legislators to put in the books strict gun laws."
Sharon N. Smith, a resident of Baughers Bay pointed out that the police are not patrolling the neighbourhoods as they did back in the days.
Ms Smith said, "Everybody wants to sit in the air condition office. We once had police officers who cared about our people, but we constantly bringing in them people from the United Kingdom (UK) who really don't care about us."
Another passionate resident told our newsroom he thinks capital punishment is needed in the Virgin Islands (VI).
He said, "If the government start hanging for these senseless crimes, only then we would be able to live a happy life in our homeland."
Another resident believes that hanging will not help because the police must first catch the criminals in order to do that, while suggesting that the community needs to come together to help fight crime.
"Hanging will not solve the problem because you have to catch them first. What we need here is the people of the BVI to start coming together and say enough is enough. We need to stop cast blame and do our part to bring these hoodlums to justice," said the resident.
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29 Responses to “'Tourism product, economy & safety under threat by crime'- Hon Fahie”
1. Political Issues
2. Social Issues
3. Enforment Issues
For me those social issues far outweigh the other 2 issues.....some of spend far to much playing political games while our son & daughters suffer our people are suffering(some more than other simply based on which party in power)
Under enforcement issues we have
1. immigration
2. customs
3. police
4. labour
The residents or citizens can take the LAW into their own hand because we will be liable for criminal prosecution....stop blaming the people and go after those mandated with enforcement of our laws: yes!!! We should talk what we see even share information(then what)
The murderers need to be identified, tried, convicted and lost in jail. Nonetheless, we cannot just jail our way out of this problem. We cannot just treat the symptoms; we need to find and root out the root causes. The community is a key player in helping the RVIPF to root out the problem and bring the perpetrators to justice.
But the RVIPF has a systemic problem; it leaks like a sieve and residents for their own personal safety lack trust in it. The RVIPF is an indisciplined agency and is dysfunctional. Feud among local, regional and UK officers is not helping matters. It needs resources but just throwing money at it is not a panacea for healing its myriad of problems. The community is in my opinion willing to assist the RVIPF but it needs much more from the force. The force must be more than a pay check. It needs to demonstrate rock solid professionalism; it needs a rebirth, a renaissance of sorts.
Moreover, the community must also do its part. An improved quality of life and standard of living is no doubt a good thing. However, the drive/quest for materialism resulted in a causalty—-the children. The children are lost and not part of nation building. For there to be growth continuity, there must a generation to pass baton to. Where is the next generation? They are either chillin at Balo or St. Lucia being non productive or resting in the grave yards. This is a social problem that needs to be fixed; it is a travesty; the whole community must be engaged——parents, family members, neighbors, schools, NGOs, churches, governmen, Police........etc. Bring back the “Village”. Though a smaller population and less multicultural, the Village worked. The Village was a check valve on society.
It will get worse every day. People need to keep praying for a government that will bring peace and keep peace forever an ever.
So throwing stones. It would not help PRAY
Low and not too long ago the subject of independence came up.... REALLY??? Of all the community discussions that have taken place on rebuilding and moving forward, has there been any talk of REAL national security? We are a community comprised of a large lawless populous. The looting has receded but the looters are among us and walk freely. Did they have a heart change or are they simply waiting for another opportunity? Is there any rehabilitation happening in the schools to circumvent that type of ‘take it if you want it’ mindset? There is much to be done sir... much