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UPDATE: Straps for RT mailboxes recovered; CGB ones still missing- Iris T. Romney

Some of the mailboxes adjacent to Ralph T. O'Neal Administration Complex in Road Town. None of the mailboxes were not damaged during Tropical Storm Ernesto. Photo: Team of Reporters
Straps purchased to help hold down the new mailboxes located behind the Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex in Road Town during Tropical Storm Ernesto were secured by a public-spirited citizen after the storm. Photo: Team of Reporters
Straps purchased to help hold down the new mailboxes located behind the Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex in Road Town during Tropical Storm Ernesto were secured by a public-spirited citizen after the storm. Photo: Team of Reporters
Leading up to Tropical Storm Ernesto, a decision was taken by the Acting Postmistress General Iris T. Romney to purchase some straps to help hold down the new mailboxes located behind the Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex in Road Town, as well as other places including Sea Cows Bay and Cane Garden Bay. Photo: GIS/File
Leading up to Tropical Storm Ernesto, a decision was taken by the Acting Postmistress General Iris T. Romney to purchase some straps to help hold down the new mailboxes located behind the Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex in Road Town, as well as other places including Sea Cows Bay and Cane Garden Bay. Photo: GIS/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Information reaching our News Centre is that the missing straps from the mailboxes adjacent to Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex in Road Town have been recovered.

Our News Centre was further told; however, straps removed from mailboxes at Cane Garden Bay are yet to be recovered.

In an interesting twist, our News Centre was told by sources at BVI Post that the straps at Road Town were actually secured by a public-spirited citizen after the storm.

This information was confirmed by Acting Postmistress General Iris T. Romney, who also related to our News Centre that four ratchet straps were removed from the mailboxes at Cane Garden Bay.

Romney said she hoped the straps would be recovered, adding that it may be just straps but they are government property.

“It’s the principle of it. We need to change our mentality and get back to doing what is right,” Romney stated.

Romney also disclosed that none of the mailboxes at Cane Garden Bay were damaged in the storm.

See previous article published August 15, 2024

Straps used to secure mailboxes during TS Ernesto allegedly stolen

Leading up to Tropical Storm Ernesto, which had winds gusting to 75 miles per hour, a decision was taken by the Acting Postmistress General Iris T. Romney to purchase some straps to help hold down the new mailboxes located adjacent to the Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex in Road Town, as well as other places including Sea Cows Bay.

However, someone had something else in mind as it was discovered sometime on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, after the all-clear was issued, that all the straps from the Road Town location were gone.

What was the value of stolen items?

It remains unclear if the straps were taken before or after the storm. 

While the mailboxes did not suffer any damage or were unearthed due to the recent heavy winds from Ernesto, it is illegal to remove government property without authorisation.

The value of the straps is unknown as of publication time.

It is our understanding that a report was made to the police and investigations are ongoing.

Residents' and businesses’ mail in the letter boxes was not compromised, according to a staff member familiar with the matter.

We will bring more details as this story develops or if any arrests are made.

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