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USVI residents urged to be vigilant following Paris attacks

Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands. Senator Novelle Francis, Jr. said through a press release issued on Tuesday that he’s urging Virgin Islanders to practice heightened awareness of their surroundings in the wake of the tragic events that took place in Paris, France last week, where at least 129 civilians were killed in multiple terror attacks. Photo: Wikipedia
Parisians have laid flowers at the Place de La Republique to pay tribute to the dead Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
Parisians have laid flowers at the Place de La Republique to pay tribute to the dead Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
Mr. Francis, a former police commissioner, is the chair of the Senate’s Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety and Justice. He says the territory’s residents should not take safety for granted. Photo: youtube
Mr. Francis, a former police commissioner, is the chair of the Senate’s Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety and Justice. He says the territory’s residents should not take safety for granted. Photo: youtube
Mr. Francis, a former police commissioner, is the chair of the Senate’s Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety and Justice. He says the territory’s residents should not take safety for granted. Photo: youtube
Mr. Francis, a former police commissioner, is the chair of the Senate’s Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety and Justice. He says the territory’s residents should not take safety for granted. Photo: youtube
VI CONSORTIUM

ST CROIX, USVI — Senator Novelle Francis Jr. said through a press release issued on Tuesday that he’s urging Virgin Islanders to practice heightened awareness of their surroundings in the wake of the tragic events that took place in Paris, France last week, where at least 129 civilians were killed in multiple terror attacks.

Mr. Francis, a former police commissioner, is the chair of the Senate’s Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety and Justice. He says the territory’s residents should not take safety for granted.

French authorities have been conducting raids as dragnet missions continue. According to the NY Times, a woman died in Paris this morning when she detonated an explosive vest and five people were arrested when the French police conducted an early-morning raid in the northern Paris suburb of St.-Denis, aimed at detaining the Belgian militant suspected of organizing the attacks.

“The events unfolding in Europe and across the world shows that evil can strike anywhere,” Mr. Francis said. “We should not take our safety for granted, especially when our geographic location and open borders make the territory and other Caribbean nations, particularly vulnerable to criminal elements.”

Last month, Francis met with senior Homeland Security officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to discuss ways that local and federal initiatives can align to combat criminal activity in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He appreciates the relationship that local law enforcement has with our federal partners, particularly when it comes to strengthening the safety and security of the Virgin Islands residents, the release further  stated.

Mr. Francis encourages residents to be aware of what is happening in their community and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement. Terrorism-related concerns can be directed to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force at (340)777-3363, the release concluded.

6 Responses to “USVI residents urged to be vigilant following Paris attacks”

  • one eye (18/11/2015, 17:11) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    We in the bvi must do the same
  • Eagle Eye (18/11/2015, 21:10) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    if isis actack us is it legal to bring out my illegal tool? just asking.
  • On looker (18/11/2015, 21:12) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    We must understand that these people attack countries that invade and threat there country which include u.s France , England ,Germany etc
  • People (18/11/2015, 21:53) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Keep ayo eyes on those Arabs and Trinis.
    • Openeyes (19/11/2015, 09:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Not because Virgin Islands (British) did not directly harm IS and their allies means that some crazy gun-slinging radicalized individual cannot say, well let me get at one of your offshoots. We need to be very cautious also in the BVI and start to view these worldwide threats seriously. What plans are in place in the BVI to protect the future of this country from terrorists? All we hear is dead silence. Are we going to wait until Little Egypt, Tortola becomes like Molenbeek, Belgium?
  • JACK BE STILL (18/11/2015, 22:26) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    It seems to me with every bomb we drop we create more terrorists than we kill. I think President Obama and Secretary Kerry have figured that out. How many bombs have we dropped in the last 14 years in Afghanistan and Iraq? How many bullets have we fired? Is the problem any better? Is our world safer? Our kids can't even go out and have some fun on a Friday night in Paris without getting gunned down and blown up by this death cult. These fanatics go in with guns blazing, kill as many people as they can, and when it looks like they are about to be captured, they blow themselves up. How do you fight that? George Bush created the largest terrorist factory in the world when he invaded Iraq, defeated then disbanded the Iraqi Army, did a victory dance and was dumb enough to think the war was over, when it was just beginning. I'm starting to look back fondly on Saddam Hussein, when you compare him to these blood thirsty monsters. I don't have the answer; but, I'm hoping for the sake of our children that we elect someone who will follow President Obama's plan, instead of George Bush's plan.


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