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132 curfew breaches recorded by RVIPF- CoP Matthews

- but only 23 arrests made as of April 18, 2020
Commissioner of Police Mr Michael B. Matthews has reported that as of April 18, 2020, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) had recorded a total of 132 curfew breaches since the restriction order was put in place, noting that just a handful of those cases led to arrests. Photo: VINO/File
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) came under heavy criticism from the public recently when videos emerged of a youth from East End and a homeless person in Road Town being tased in separate incidents, while appearing to be of no threat to police at the time. Photo: Team of Reporters/File
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) came under heavy criticism from the public recently when videos emerged of a youth from East End and a homeless person in Road Town being tased in separate incidents, while appearing to be of no threat to police at the time. Photo: Team of Reporters/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Commissioner of Police Mr Michael B. Matthews has reported that as of April 18, 2020, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) had recorded a total of 132 curfew breaches since the restriction order was put in place, noting that just a handful of those cases led to arrests.

"I am pleased to say the vast majority are complying... of this figure, there were only 23 arrests," Mr Matthews told Virgin Islands News Online (VINO). 

Over the course of the curfew period, Mr Matthews told VINO that the community has been largely supportive and the vast majority of complaint came from a few individuals who believed the law and the curfew did not apply to them.

The RVIPF; however, came under public criticism recently when videos emerged of a youth from East End and a homeless person in Road Town being tased in separate incidents, while appearing to be of no threat to police at the time.

Persons who fled apartment complex accounted for- CoP

Meanwhile, Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) had announced on Saturday, April 18, 2020, that several individuals who resided in the same compound of the Filipino female who died of COVID-19 had fled the apartment complex where they resided. 

Their actions had heightened fears in the community that many could now be at risk of contracting the virus as a result of these individuals.

VINO reached out to Hon Malone for an update on whether the individuals were tracked; however, no response was received up to publication time.

According to CoP Matthews; however, "the identification of all persons at the location was led by the Health Emergency Operations Centre, not the RVIPF. I understand everybody has been accounted for," he noted.

With the curfew set to lift in a matter of days, having no major spike in COVID-19 cases since the 14-day lockdown was extended on Sunday, April 19, 2020, CoP Matthews said it has been a fairly quiet curfew period and recorded crime is generally down.

24 Responses to “132 curfew breaches recorded by RVIPF- CoP Matthews”

  • Oh Well (24/04/2020, 15:29) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
    While some followed the lockdown and curfew rules..it is obvious many others were not going to, simply because they refuse to follow rules and regulations.
    • Howdy (24/04/2020, 19:12) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Did they have a camera at rite way filming people today? Prosecutions for breach of curfew to follow?
  • Hmm (24/04/2020, 15:34) Like (8) Dislike (8) Reply
    You cops are joking around just warning people I bet Alf of that 132 wasn’t even charged. People will continue to breach the curfew because they taking you guys for joke. Tuffen up and start charging people instead of warning them.
    • KaChing (24/04/2020, 17:13) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      $1,000 fine for each of those would have replenished much needed funds and would also serve as a deterrent.
      The failure to enforce laws,rules and regulations in the VI is troubling.
      • To KaChing (24/04/2020, 21:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Nah, the government will screw us over with the 7% fee soon...so, no need to charge the curfew breakers $1,000
    • Go sit down (25/04/2020, 14:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ HMM
      Crime is crime but let the police department get more tuff on serious crime and you wonder why residents do give information to police. The people under restrictions from 27 March until 26 April: crime is crime and will understand if a person is found committing crimes such as building breaking in conjunction with violating the curfew: the police have the power of arrest likewise the power to issue you a warning after you were warned by police and you are found in violation again them should be arrested
  • GG (24/04/2020, 15:37) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    It would be more than 132 if you guys ask for evidence that some of those people who claim their essential workers really are everyone going in and out supermarkets and driving on the road. People out here fooling y’all. I seen about 5 children in a vehicle yesterday with their parents.
  • SHAME (24/04/2020, 15:39) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    RVIPD is bunch of jokers I’m a essential worker and I seen they was talking to someone who wasn’t in town and they let her go they were just laughing up with her.
  • ABC (24/04/2020, 15:43) Like (1) Dislike (8) Reply
    But his white friends did at they wish
  • biker (24/04/2020, 16:07) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    132 curfew violations and only 23 arrests. These numbers seem very low compared to the daily high number of people wandering around on foot, riding motorcycles day & night and driving all sorts of non-essential vehicles day & night since Sat. 4 April. Perhaps the police need to stop driving around in their conspicuous police vehicles and start walking around the neighborhoods or riding horses out in the country. There are far more persons vlolating curfew than 132 since 4 April.
  • Revisit the plan (24/04/2020, 16:27) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thousands given passes to help out and with supplies, a few who could not get supplies, a few idiots. Time to open up for shopping and exercise (practicing social distancing).
  • Ticket them. The best way (24/04/2020, 16:54) Like (33) Dislike (2) Reply
    Just give Supa Cop a ticket book and a Vehicle....$300. 00 pay your ticket On the spot or get lock up until payment....more than 500 would have already gotten ticket...
    ...
  • Captain (24/04/2020, 17:34) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Were the curfew breakers tested for the virus and quarantined?
  • Patriotic (24/04/2020, 17:53) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    WITH ALL DUE RESPECT MR COMMISIONER ,THAT NUMBER WOULD HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICATLY HIGHER IF ONLY THE YOU HAD MORE HUMAN RESOURCES AND THE FORCE MORE EQUIP
  • hungry (24/04/2020, 17:55) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    People hungry and they have to look food. Take off this 24 hr s lockdown and open up the country with cautions..
  • When will it end (24/04/2020, 18:04) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    The police started out somewhat serious but the past several days have simply been a free for all . If you dont arrest fir violations during a national emergency then you are viewed as a joke . People ignoring the law because the law enforcement is lame. This starts with the Commissioner .... who has been invisible .
  • GG (24/04/2020, 21:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    132 x 5000 = 660,000 congrats guys
  • hungry (24/04/2020, 21:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am agree with you open the place I want to go and buy my own stuff sence Monday I call d hot line today is Friday I want to go and get my own stuff I am not waiting on no one I call because of the lock down
  • ReX FeRal (24/04/2020, 22:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    23 arrest is not sending a strong message. Cop out.
  • Enquirer (24/04/2020, 22:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Police could arrest 135 in eastend alone every day if they would not keep their eyes shut and would follow tips
  • Steve (24/04/2020, 22:56) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    What happened to the Polish guy who had an accident with his scooter going to Nanny Cay for water? Was he arrested or fined.
    • @Steve (24/04/2020, 23:24) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Only locals get lock up and charge for breaching curfew. Everybody else is free to do what they want.
  • dpp (25/04/2020, 08:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    thank you for the curfew updates by the way how about give an update on the more serious unsolved crimes, should we hold our breath in anticipation
  • Musa 132 × (25/04/2020, 19:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    132× 5000 .each can give supacop a nice ride


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