Curfew lifted today December 22, 2017
National Security Council (NSC) sources within the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) confirmed to our newsroom this morning that the United Kingdom appointed Governor, Augustus J. U. Jaspert aka ‘Gus’, had already signed the order lifting the 3 month old curfew at 5:00AM today.
Passion! For & against a curfew
The curfew had its critics and loyal supporters; however, many believed that if the Territory is telling the world they are open for business then a curfew is counterproductive and it’s not an effective tool to fight crime, something confirmed by Police Commissioner Michael B. Mathews.
The curfew supporters say many places throughout the islands are still very dark and lawless and business persons and the elderly want it to remain in place. At least one politician, Hon Julian Fraser RA who represents the Third District, supports the curfew.
There is also active debate by the law enforcement community as to the effectiveness of the curfew, with both for and against the lifting, according to the same NSC source.
Following the powerful hurricanes Irma and Maria that destroyed the VI, the NDP went AWOL for a month with no communication to the people. The international media reported that the Government had collapsed.
The Government resurfaced on October 5, 2017 at a House of Assembly (HoA) meeting, but not to give the people a plan for recovery or offer assistance to residents after widespread looting, 85% of homes, car, boats and businesses destroyed or even a law to protect residents from price gouging.
Instead, the Smith-Administration rushed through a curfew law even after the State of Emergency had been lifted.
Behave or I will return the curfew-Governor
It made the Territory look like a lawless banana republic; however, all the crimes that occured between October 5, 2017 and December 21, 2017 while under curfew, including the killing of an 11 year old school girl execution style, happened during hours when there was no curfew.
The VI joined Honduras as two places on earth which imposed a curfew earlier this month. Honduras imposed theirs following civil disobedience over who won the presidency.
Honduras has since lifted over 80% of their curfew, a country of some over 9 Million people. However, there remains curfew in what they consider the most dangerous big cities, but they have announced that the curfew is expected to be lifted before year end.
Governor Jaspert threated residents that if they do not behave he will not hesitate to return the curfew, something that progressive residents, many attorneys and constitutionalists found to be offensive.
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12 Responses to “Curfew lifted today December 22, 2017”
For as long as it takes. Many areas on the island is still with out electricity. The area where I live is pitch dark and is a not well travelled road. The safety of residents were not considered when the curfew was lifted.