Acting Commissioner of Police Alwyn James and Second District Representative Hon Melvin 'Mitch' Turnbull (right) following their meeting on November 24, 2015. Making it clear that he is not one to bash any person or department, Second District Representative Hon Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull said he will speak out on issues affecting his constituents so they know he is aware and make steps to have those addressed amicably. Photo: Provided

Mr Turnbull said it was from the incident where a tourist died after encountering difficulties in the water at Cane Garden Bay, and other incidents that occurred a couple of months before that he spoke about meeting with the Acting Police Commissioner to resolve some safety issues as it relates to the Second District, including Jost Van Dyke. Photo: VINO/File

One of the issues that came up in the meeting with the Acting Commissioner of Police, according to Hon Turnbull, was the closure of the Cane Garden Bay Police Station. 'I got full clarification from the Acting Commissioner that the station should not be closed and should not be unmanned but there are instances where that has happened and coming out of that meeting I was assured that they were going to make the necessary changes and to have a more visible police presence.' Photo: VINO

Speaking exclusively with Virgin Islands News Online recently, Hon Turnbull said he was moved to speak out publicly about his dissatisfaction with the lack of police presence in the Second District, especially the tourist busy Cane Garden Bay area, not to slam the police but to let the public know that he is cognizant of their concerns and that he was taking steps to address.

He was since able to meet with Acting Police Commissioner Mr Alwyn James and other senior ranks of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) on Tuesday November 24, 2015.

Mr Turnbull said it was from the incident where a tourist died after encountering difficulties in the water at Cane Garden Bay, and other incidents that occurred a couple of months before that he spoke about meeting with the Acting Police Commissioner to resolve some safety issues as it relates to the Second District, including Jost Van Dyke.

“They allowed me to express my views and concerns as it relates to the overall picture, not just the emergency situation that happened recently and before, as the District Representative. We spoke about safety for the residents and visitors, especially now in the height of the tourist season,” Hon Turnbull told Virgin Islands News Online.

Cane Garden Bay Police Station ‘abandoned’

One of the issues that came up in the meeting, according to Hon Turnbull, was the closure of the Cane Garden Bay Police Station.

“I got full clarification from the Acting Commissioner that the station should not be closed and should not be unmanned but there are instances where that has happened and coming out of that meeting I was assured that they were going to make the necessary changes and to have a more visible police presence.”

One of the things he said was identified is that there is currently a shortage of police officers available to handle the entire West End community because the officers have moved from a 72 hour shift to a shorter shift.

“The acting commissioner stated to us that they are still evaluating the progress of that new shift system. Jost Van Dyke continues to operate on a 72 hour shift where there is three days on and three days off for officers.”

According to Hon Turnbull, in the Commissioner’s words and seconded by the two officers present, the stations should be manned by at least two sergeants and about three or four constables.

“They are saying that it has never been closed but the issue is that it has been left unmanned thus being closed. If it is unmanned then it means that at certain times it is closed. That is something I was assured would be addressed.”

Not one to complain

Hon Turnbull then reiterated that the main reason for meeting with the police, and even with speaking with a reporter from another site, was just to bring the issues to the attention of the public.

“I am not one to complain but if there is an issue that I feel needs to be addressed I will let my people of the Second District know what is going on and let them know that I am aware and that we need them addressed.

“So my reason for bringing it to the public is to let them know that I am aware what the issues are, what happened on Friday [November 24, 2015] and some of the issues that happened there and the fact that there was no one there at the Cane Garden Bay Police Station and the fact that they had to come all the way from the West End Police Station. The logistics of that were worked out.”

One of the issues, according to Hon Turnbull, was that when the ambulance came to the beach and tried to get out it was a problem because traffic was blocked. “In the absence of the police department we had a chaotic situation.”

Safety & Security

In terms of the safety and security of persons living in the Second District, Hon Turnbull said there is a need to have a police presence so that the people are safe and feel secured and at least know that the police are visible.

“My motive is not to be out there bashing the police. I believe in partnerships that need to be established to move this country forward, especially the Second District… Some people may think that I am bashing the police but I am the District Representative and if it involves the police, if it involves fire, if it involves whomever, as longs as it relates to addressing the situation I will call for a meeting to address the issues. I don’t believe in leaving situations undone and then complaining about it.

Hon Turnbull had said a follow up meeting would be organised with the BVI Tourist Board, the Health Ministry, Taxi and Livery Association and others, to proactively deal with the situations of high tourist traffic.

“At the end of the day the police are the enforcers of the law in the land and I think we have to continue to respect the officers and they have been appointed by us and the Queen to serve so we must respect that and work together with them.”