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Crime ‘is really out of hand’ in the VI- Raul R. Sprauve

- local artists to hold ‘Stop the Crime’ concert @ TPP on June 16, 2017
Popular musician Mr Raul R. Sprauve aka ‘Jugo’ said crime in the Virgin Islands is ‘really out of hand’ but that the community must fight back. Photo: Provided/File
Local musicians and members of the community have joined the fight against crime in the territory by organising a ‘Stop the Crime’ peace concert. Photo: Provided
Local musicians and members of the community have joined the fight against crime in the territory by organising a ‘Stop the Crime’ peace concert. Photo: Provided
Eustace ‘Boss’ Freeman (left) and Khalid A. Frett (right), two of the local musicians behind the ‘Stop the Crime’ peace concert. Photo: Provided/File
Eustace ‘Boss’ Freeman (left) and Khalid A. Frett (right), two of the local musicians behind the ‘Stop the Crime’ peace concert. Photo: Provided/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Local musicians and members of the community have joined the fight against crime in the territory by organising a ‘Stop the Crime’ peace concert.

Eustace ‘Boss’ Freeman, Khalid A. Frett, Raul R. Sprauve and TJ Henley appeared as guests on the ZBVI 780 AM radio programme Umoja with host Cromwell Smith on June 8, 2017 to discuss the peace concert.

With the support of the Tortola Central Lions Club, local singers and other musicians have joined forces to host a ‘Stop the Crime’ peace concert on Friday June 16 at the Tortola Pier Park.

Preceding activities will kick off at 4:00 PM when the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) sounds the emergency alarm and at that time everyone in the territory is expected to stop and stand still for one minute in observance of the peace initiative. This will be followed by a ‘Stop the Crime March’ beginning at 4:30 PM from the Road Town round-about to the concert venue. The concert is slated to start at 6:00 PM.

The crime is bothering us

According to Eustace ‘Boss’ Freeman, President of the GRATE BVI Music Alliance, “The crime is bothering us. We are here now because we decide and we saying that we are not going to let it just bother us and cover our heads in a corner. We are going to try and do something about it. Enough is enough. So we are trying to make that step forward and that’s why we are here tonight about the Stop the Crime Concert.”

In agreement with Mr Freeman, the host commented that the VI community should cooperate with law enforcement when they have information about a crime. As a result, this will help to capture the criminals and keep the community safe.

This drew a response from Mr Freeman, who explained that “this is one of the biggest things. We as a community have the mentality that crime and solving crime is just a burden for the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) to solve or that’s their problem. Reality is, it starts and it ends with us, the people of the community.”

He further stated that people should be more proactive instead of waiting until something happens before they speak up about it.

Khalid A. Frett, Senior Corporate Administrator and Managing Partner at Crazy Threadz, added that parents, along with the society on a whole, should encourage children from a young age to be positive and avoid the negative influences.

“I see certain things among the youths and we have to be aware of the social skills that are plaguing our community as well and not to just cover it up but how do we channel it to stop or to divert them into positive structures within the society.”

Conflict resolution seminars

Mr Freeman point out that proceeds from the selling of custom made t-shirts will be invested in conflict resolution seminars for the children in the community.

“The youngsters in the community will know how to deal with different issues rather than resorting to just crime. Rather than feeling all is lost and there is no one here to look out for you, we are saying that there are other ways to deal with your problems.”

‘It’s really out of hand’

Raul R. Sprauve and TJ Henley, members of VIBE, later joined the conversation and agreed that the community should come together and help in the fight against crime.

Mr. Sprauve noted that there is no secret about what the VI is going through right now regarding crime. “……it’s really out of hand and at the end of the day it’s our BVI and we need to take control of what’s going on and of course, lead by example. We are going to spread the word of peace and unity through music.”

In response to Mr Sprauve, TJ Henley stated that the VI is looking for unity but suggested that it’s unattainable because the communities are segregated. “It could be I from East. I from West. I from Huntums Ghut. I from here. I from wherever. Its segregation. If we change segregation and tackle the segregation aspect of it, then I think we can get a lot closer to unity.”

“It’s really shocking. It’s becoming a norm. It’s up to us to preserve the paradise,” remarked Mr Freeman.

20 Responses to “Crime ‘is really out of hand’ in the VI- Raul R. Sprauve”

  • tretretrete (09/06/2017, 09:50) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    The are not nipping the bud. All those young guys on the corner smoking and sitting around all day start with them, build some kind of program to get them active. They can't just sit around and expect the jobs to come looking for them. Parents are to be blame for this as well for not paying more attention and setting ground rule to abide by.
    • Exactly (09/06/2017, 10:41) Like (6) Dislike (10) Reply
      All they will do is attend the same concert and smoke/drink some more......
  • tretretrete (09/06/2017, 09:59) Like (27) Dislike (8) Reply
    While I commend these guys for bringing attention to the crime situation, having a big dance party does nothing to stop crime in the BVI. These young men need mentors and we need to start being proactive instead of reactive. Parents need to be proper guardians and role models and not their kids' friends. It will take a holistic and national approach and I would love to see these same influential musicians involved in big bro/sis programs and other real initiatives that can capture our youth before it's too late. Not knocking the idea, I like it, but I'm hoping it goes further than just a concert.
    • Black People (09/06/2017, 11:37) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      Hope that means you will be giving up your time to help mentor and what else it takes to help.!!! We as black people have a big fan problem,quick to judge. I suggest that you take sometime out and watch the video it's on fb,cause they did say things will be put in place to continue after the show.
    • Dangling carrots (09/06/2017, 12:12) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
      @Hmmm. While I agree with most of what you have said for the most part, their idea of a dance party is a reasonable strategy. We need to listen to where our young people at sometimes with an opened mind, without judgments and direct criticisms.

      There is a saying that contends, "if you meet people where they are at, you have a better chance to get across what you want."

      These young people are trying - give them that chance - their message have a better chance to be listened to there than in a setting where adults always want to preach their Holier Than Thou Sermans. Look around, there are a lot of adults in our community doing nothing to help curb the problem. Leave these young people be- I beg!


    • SB (09/06/2017, 12:57) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      You right! True story so I'm at my daughters soccer practice in Baughers Bay chilling watching. Some primary students on court playing ball, out of no where I heard the biggest F U for the year. Spin around this lil youthman point out the offender, another lil youthman. Call the youth over, although the youth kept his back turned to me he listened. Had to ask youthman who do him what for him to curse like that and why he look so angry. Youthman kept back turned but listened. I said youthman you look angry unhappy like you need a positive conversation. Had to tell the youthman when I come for my daughter practice I'm going look out for him and chat him up cause he is too angry for a youth. I know potential BAD MAN in the making and trust this youth is one I will try see If I can influence him in a good way. THESE YOUTHMAN NEED CONVERSATION AND CARE.

      P.S. The only time the youth turn and look at me is when my daughter ran over for water. He on the right path.
  • fish (09/06/2017, 10:23) Like (15) Dislike (8) Reply
    Help us get the ndp out
  • Well (09/06/2017, 10:48) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    What can I say! Murders should be kept in jail and when they have served their time if there and not BVI Nationals they should be deported not walking around the community when they should be serving time in prison. SHAME ON WHO EVER LET HIM OUT ON May 7th to see a game.
  • bvi (09/06/2017, 11:29) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Young people stepping up to help problems we face i love it!
  • facts man (09/06/2017, 11:40) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    hope they not just playing politics as this government has done ZERO in the fight against crime
  • @Black People (09/06/2017, 13:38) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    You pull that card when people speak the TRUTH! How many white, Filipino or Arab kids do we have living here? Ok! How many White, Filipino or Arab youth currently before the Courts or in Prison? Ponder that before playing victim about black people this and that. Nobody wants to hear the harsh truth especially when they are the offenders. The only way to stop violence is to be honest about its root causes and nip it in the bud from early.
  • wize up (09/06/2017, 16:42) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need to host more village meetings with the commissioner of police because he hold the responsibly for crime fighting in our country
  • Just saying (09/06/2017, 16:50) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    these bands help in creating these hate crimes like it or not when you think its peace and safety then comes a sudden destruction check the bible it is real there will be no peace until JESUS CHRIST comes back
  • Well (09/06/2017, 17:48) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Crime, crime is the cry of the world. We need prayers, prayers. The young people of the world is hurting, great education and no jobs, just talk, talk
  • Really! (09/06/2017, 22:34) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    What is HATERS screaming these days?
  • Elections (10/06/2017, 01:55) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    running for politics soon huh ?
  • Hyprocisy (10/06/2017, 15:41) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    But your own brother in law in jail for murder.


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