The perceived rise in criminal activities in the Virgin Islands is worrying VI residents who are calling on the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force to reach out some more to communities to gain their confidence and cooperation. Photo: VINO

Cash and souvenir goods were among some of the items reported stolen during a spate of seven (7) break ins at the Crafts Alive Village on August 25, 2013. Photo: VINO

This is according to Mr Ronley Braithwaite who, along with a few other persons, shared concerns with Virgin Islands News Online about the percieved increase in certain criminal activities in the territory.

Mr Braithwaite said he was moved to speak out on the issues of “a crumbling society consequent of the rise in crimes” since he has been a resident in the Virgin Islands for over twenty years and is feeling the effects of criminal elements that are stripping the once peaceful society. “I don’t know if I can say that the police force and the Commissioner has a grip on it. Not to down play them but the fact that they haven’t had this kind of thing at this level here they really need to get with the people so together we can fight this thing,” he added.

This sentiment was also shared by another resident, Mr Cassidy James-Profit, who said a friend of his was recently stabbed multiple times and another was involved in a near death accident on Tortola. “I don’t want to talk much about those two incidents in isolation but they did happen. I did my best in ensuring that eyewitnesses to the stabbing cooperate with the police but due to what I am seeing daily the police and the people are not friends and because of that persons are not ready and willing to cooperate without being pushed to do so,” said James-Profitt.

He added that while there may be some efforts by the police, “They need to come out of their uniforms and meet people at their level. You can’t come with you gun in your waist and your stripes on your shoulder and expect to get the real people, those youths, to cooperate. We need to see a stronger effort to bring the people closer to the police and visa versa,” Mr James-Profitt added.

Virgin Islands News Online contacted the Public Relations Officer of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), Ms Diane Drayton, who said the RVIPF has been having active community meetings to help combat crimes.

“The Commissioner has regularly met across the Territory with community members and established community forums such as Neighbourhood Watch Groups, East End/Long Look Police Consultative Group, Road Town Anti-Crime Group etc and will continue to do so.  During these meetings, he has discussed and answered questions on all matters in relation to crime prevention and reduction as well the detection of crime not only across the Territory but specific to the community,” Ms Drayton said.

She noted that the Commissioner of Police, Mr David Morris, encourages and supports those persons who wish to have such a forum in any of the communities within the Territory and is willing to attend and discuss the issues that affect them. “Persons can contact the Police Information Office or the Crime Prevention Unit to jointly organise such a forum. The RVIPF will come prepared to share crime and accident statistics specific to these communities and preventative measures that can be taken,” Ms Drayton told Virgin Islands News Online.