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‘Parking fines need to increase’ – Officer Glen Callwood

- Calls for more traffic signs, updating of archaic traffic laws
While admitting that the Territory could use a few more traffic signs to help drivers traverse the roadways in the Virgin Islands (VI), Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) Officer, Mr Glen Callwood aka ‘SuperCop’ is of the view that local parking fines are too low. Photo: VINO/File
Officer Glen Callwood aka 'Supercop' noted that illegal parking continues to be a major traffic violation in the territory. Photo: VINO/File
Officer Glen Callwood aka 'Supercop' noted that illegal parking continues to be a major traffic violation in the territory. Photo: VINO/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI – While admitting that the territory could use a few more traffic signs to help drivers traverse the roadways in the Virgin Islands (VI), Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) Officer, Mr Glen Callwood aka ‘SuperCop’ is of the view that local parking fines are too low.

On the Tuesday, June 19, 2019, edition of ‘Honestly Speaking’ with Claude O. Skelton-Cline, Mr Callowood pointed to the fact that for more than two decades, fines have not increased and noted that it is time for some reform in the area.

Parking Ticket fees too low – Mr Callwood

“Right now from the time when I joined the force, probably 21 years ago, no-parking tickets is $50 up to now... and I think those are fines need to be increased,” he told Mr Skelton-Cline.

Mr Callwood pointed that over the years, parking and other traffic issues continue to be a major infraction in the territory.

“In terms of the Parking, there’s a situation where it is an offence whereas if you go along the road, especially like the Lower Estate public road, and a few of the places… it’s an offence for people to be parking their trailers on the sidewalk, sometimes people tend to take their speedboat with their trailer and they park it on a sidewalk, all those are offences,” he said an officer can and will charge for the violation.

He noted, “A ticket you have 21 days to pay, and if you don’t pay it within 21 days then you will receive a summons to attend Magistrate's Court… and when it reaches there well it leaves to the Magistrates. She could always increase the fees to that.”

However, Officer Callwood said that even when the force impounds a vehicle, often there is no place to put it.

Obstructing Traffic not ticketable – Mr Callwood 

In relation to traffic signs, the RVIPF Officer said, “I would say the signs they have are lawful signs but I admit to say, it needs some more, it would need a few more signs across the place,” he said.

He noted that issues, where drivers stop callously on the roadways and obstruct the flow of traffic, is not a ticketed offence, “You can’t be issued with a ticket for that, that is something you have to get reported for when you attend the Magistrate’s Court.”  

Mr Callwood called on legislators for more reform and updating of traffic laws to make it easier for Traffic Officers to carry out their mandate.

15 Responses to “‘Parking fines need to increase’ – Officer Glen Callwood”

  • DON Q (20/06/2019, 15:01) Like (11) Dislike (9) Reply
    Even supa cop looking air time
    • who cares (20/06/2019, 20:14) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
      he looking air time?? let him catch you na or one of these car must park by the road while you passing and you touch their ar. lets see who getting the air time. when someone looking out for aryo own safety is a problem as soon as somebody in your way ohhh police aint doing their jobs.
  • Outlaw (20/06/2019, 15:05) Like (39) Dislike (2) Reply
    Mr. Callwood while I am in total agreement with you that the no parking fines needs to be increased, serious attention needs to be paid to all those food stalls and car wash that occupy parking space in the city. Also place objects on the government road in front business places also constitute offenses and needs to be looked at as well. Also those heavy equipments on the road at certain times of the day. More education needs to be given to the public in relation to some of these laws. Also there is an amended Road Traffic, Traffic Signs Regulation, most Traffic Signs needs to be in conformity with that regulation.
    • concern (20/06/2019, 16:16) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
      I would like to know how come no one is addressing the parking issue at forth hill.
      God forbid anything happen at Bell View you would die before the emergency vehicle reach
      there. There is a bar on the road side and vehicle parking on the road.
  • wize up (20/06/2019, 16:03) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    install parking meters: establish designated parking areas: a prime issue in the territory people construct buildings on every inch of their land, then uses the public road as parking lots for their buildings: the ratio of vehicles in the territory is now far greater than the applicable parking spaces: increasing fines is not the solution to the parking issues: just a social concern(a number of parking spaces are now being used for washing of vehicles) however I am happy to see some of our young people washing cars therefore making legitimate business transactions(do you just stop them from using parking spaces or do you relocate them so they can continue making money: we cuss them saying they wont look work and when they seek to create employment in this territory it is also a problem: I prefer the youths take up parking spaces and wash vehicles than rob me to make a living: as a developing country we will encounter challenges because our population have increased; the demand for good & services have increased and the best way to solve social issues, in this case public parking might be more infrastructural development; there is a set of land in the pier park area doing nothing develop that:
  • Quiet Warrior (20/06/2019, 16:03) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    Road Town has a severe parking space shortage and a parking problem. Finding a parking space in Road Town during peak times will test the faith of Jobe. In the end, motorist say to hell with it and park illegally, risking getting a ticket. Successive governments have acknowledged that there is a parking problem but has not done anything about. If nothing is done and soon, the problem will only get worse. Everyone wants to own a vehicle but there is not enough parking in Road Town to accommodate them during peak hours. Let’s not forget that Road Town is the commercial, business, banking, entertainment centre and is the seat of government.

    The demand for parking exceeds the supply. Thus, to manage the problem, illegal parking fines need to be increased to minimize the behaviour. Further, as Supa Cop noted, it makes no sense to impound a vehicle if there is no impound lot to take it to. Additionally, the number of traffic signs need to be increased, and existing signs need to be maintained and repaired.
  • xman (20/06/2019, 16:08) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    I was just telling someone about this parking problem we have in the BVI. Police need to do their job, the place is lawless. People use the road as there parking lot because there house is next to the road. An the first thing they’re going to say is, I From Here! I from here to but that shit isn’t right!!
    • I agree (20/06/2019, 18:41) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      Jail time for people who park in the helipad close to the Peebles Hospital Parking Lot.
  • biker (20/06/2019, 16:25) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    Just ride a bike!!! RT is flat and a bike is easier to ride and park in RT than a motor vehicle. When it rains stay home or take the bus.
  • ... (20/06/2019, 17:25) Like (1) Dislike (27) Reply
    He always giving out tickets thinking he is a bad man
    • wize up (20/06/2019, 18:43) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      @ ...the young is simply enforcing the laws of his island but you sound upset: I wish lost more of them will execute their duties but that is wishful thinking
  • legal team (20/06/2019, 20:25) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    A police officer who does his job in accordance with the law,should not be seen as a "badman" as described by the blogger who exercised his/her freedom of speech to blog.
    It appears to me that Super-cop is the only cop in the bvi who is enforcing the traffic laws,then in that case,super-cop should receive a commission for enforcing the traffic laws.
    I agree with supercop.
  • Areas he needs to visit: (20/06/2019, 22:18) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    1. Road in front Josh Bakery, 2. Road leading to Free Bottom. These two areas have cars parked on both sides obstructing vision and traffic. Needs to stop.
  • Alternative ? (20/06/2019, 23:19) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    As a helps to the Road Town traffic congestion the government can pass laws / give incentives to some businesses to operate outside of Road Town. Trust companies for instance have lots of driving staff and hardly any walk in customers ( clients offshore). With today's technology there is no need to operate clost to a bank or even the Companies Registry. Hurricane Irma proved that. So why not create opportunity for property owners outside of busy Road Town so that the traffic issue can be fixed - at least for a while. The Trust companies may welcome the idea but I they don't some sort of zoning regulation may help. Objection from property owners in Road Town racking in millions from trust company rents? Expected but sometimes we got to take the bull by the horn to remedy situations like this. Besides the wealth needs to be spread around. Just my thoughts on this.


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