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'Crimes down!' – says Premier Smith

-'What about unreported crimes?' asks Hon Julian Fraser RA
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith said that crime has gone down in the Territory as a result of the progress of the Government, in response to a question put to him by Opposition member Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) in the House of Assembly today August 14, 2014. Photo: VINO/File
“Madam Speaker there are currently no plans to permanently close the West End Police Station. However, until those repairs are completed the [station] will continue to be opened from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm,” said Premier Smith. Photo: RVIPF
“Madam Speaker there are currently no plans to permanently close the West End Police Station. However, until those repairs are completed the [station] will continue to be opened from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm,” said Premier Smith. Photo: RVIPF
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith said that crime has gone down in the Territory as a result of the progress of the Government, in response to a question put to him by an Opposition member of the House today August 14, 2014.

Asking a question on behalf of the First District Representative Hon Andrew A. Fahie during the continuation of the Eighth Sitting of the Third Session of the Second House of Assembly today August 14, 2014, Representative for the Third District Hon Julian Fraser RA asked when the repairs to the West End Police Station will be completed so that it could be fully functional and once again accessible to the public on a 24 hours a day basis.

“Could the Premier inform this Honourable House when would the repair works commence and the estimated cost?” he asked. He asked further, “Is there any plan to permanently close the West End Police Station and if so please clearly state the reason or reasons?”

In response to the question, the Premier said, “We are making progress…I must remind the member that crime has gone down in the Territory.”

He said that the Commissioner of Police is awaiting details of costing and Bills of Quantities from the Public Works Department for the repairs to the West End Police Station. He said that the work is to cost some $145,000 and noted that when the Bills of Quantities are completed and contractor selected the works will begin.

“Madam Speaker there are currently no plans to permanently close the West End Police Station. However, until those repairs are completed the [station] will continue to be opened from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm,” said Premier Smith.

However, Hon Fraser followed up his earlier question, asking the Premier to give numbers on crimes that are unreported.

“There are crimes that are committed that people know about, that the Police know about but are not reported. I just want to know if there is some way that the Police have some indication as to how many crimes are committed and not reported?” he asked.

The Premier said that house burglaries and serious crimes have gone down compared to 2013.

18 Responses to “'Crimes down!' – says Premier Smith”

  • pat (14/08/2014, 15:24) Like (6) Dislike (8) Reply
    More lies crime is was way up last time I check
    • Oh Please! (14/08/2014, 15:54) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      Even if it was, it's no thanks to NDP.
    • Oh yeah? (14/08/2014, 16:35) Like (3) Dislike (11) Reply
      Ok genius. "WAY up" you say.... where did you check? Do you have your own secret stash of crime records to view? Did you fulfil your duty as a citizen and tell the police about this crime wave that only you know about? Perhaps you're looking way back when the crime records were so much less computerised and therefore (cough) "more accurate"? Crime is down across the western world. It has been dropping for years. A quick Google search will allow you to check that and see why people think that is. If the Police know about a crime, by definition it HAS BEEN REPORTED to them (because how else would they know about it?) and it gets reported, otherwise, how could they justify arresting somebody for that crime? SMH
  • ehem (14/08/2014, 16:23) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Would you allow your child to work at WES knowing the risk it poses to their health? Why should anyone work in that unhealthy environment? Even if it is for half an hour much less half a day. Since the EHA inspects the facility and deemed it unsafe for the workers it is my hope that they would be called in to give it a clean/safe area for the workers. That should be the standard going forward.
  • v (14/08/2014, 16:46) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Crime is down? I know for a fact White Collar Crime is not part of the statistics because it is at an all time high. But for some reason people seem to think Crime only involves thugs and thieves..... Politics is so out dated it isnt even funny.
  • Yes (14/08/2014, 18:33) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Wtf? What about unreported crimes???? He really fix his mouth to ask that?
  • ...... (14/08/2014, 22:59) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Stop tell lie Dr Smith it reminds me of your robust economy
  • Tortola (15/08/2014, 00:43) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Remember when the DR speaks. He is not speaking to us, he is speaking to the outside investor he want to go to bed with. In our opinion it's a lie. But for the people he is really talking to it's what they want to here. It's robust. Remember?
  • memo (15/08/2014, 06:21) Like (7) Dislike (9) Reply
    The difference in the level of inteligence ,literacy and common sense between the NDP group and the VIP group is embarrassing.
    It is unlikely that the VIP members could read and comprehend contracts and reports done by NDP. or follow a conversation regarding such matters
    What about unreported crime...OMG
    Empty barrels making noise and drama queens seeking attention.
    • @ memo (15/08/2014, 08:16) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      Mvw move your moo moo Desperate self go refund the tax payers
      • memo (15/08/2014, 12:40) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
        I am flattered that you would perceive my blog to be one written by MVW.
        I agree with you that he has insight and intelligence but do not be fooled.
        The intellect of the VIP leaves a lot to be desired.
  • Kingfish (15/08/2014, 07:57) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    @LoL: unreported crimes do not count as the legal authorities do not know about it: "UNREPORTED CRIMES"

    It is so sad that you guys cannot give the present government credit for reducing crime, instead it has to be a political game between the NDP and the VIP. What is a crime is the stupid party politics that is going on in the VI.
  • ABC (15/08/2014, 08:15) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    The ndp lies continue how can crime be down?
  • island man (15/08/2014, 10:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ask the lil people he feeling the effects of crime if this is so!
  • Stories to tell (15/08/2014, 10:19) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    This maybe the only thing I really dislike about this Gov. They are not concerned and seems to care much about the security of the country and the people who have that burden, unlike the previous Gov & other Caribbean countries that place a lot of emphasis on the POLICE especially, immigration/Customs. They only seems to show support to the police with chats, but not in any other way. Maybe the Governor need to hand over the police responsibility to them. I disagree that the crimes stats are down because of them. Give the medals to the police for doing an excellent job and extended further to the immigration/Customs for being the eyes and ears of the country, while Gov do what they do best, play politricks for points. Even the Gov noticeably seems to hate the police. What an encouragement for those officers. Somebody got to do the job I guess.
  • ehem (15/08/2014, 23:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    With regard to crime being down has anyone ever heard the term lashing?
  • live (17/08/2014, 23:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    More spin and properganda
  • dog man (18/08/2014, 22:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    E..on you too lie. How could your supermarket be robbed when the Premier said crime is down



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