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Support the police to 'stomp out crime' in VI- Hon Fahie

- condemns recent shootings
Opposition Leader and First District Representative Honourable Andrew A. Fahie has condemned the recent shootings in the Territory and has called for the community to assist the Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) to bring the perpetrators to justice. Photo: VINO/File
Commissioner of Police Michael B. Matthews has also called for the support of all residents in bringing the perpetrators of the fatal shootings on November 22, 2017 at West End, Tortola, to justice. Photo: VINO/File
Commissioner of Police Michael B. Matthews has also called for the support of all residents in bringing the perpetrators of the fatal shootings on November 22, 2017 at West End, Tortola, to justice. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) has called for a stop to the violence in the Territory. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) has called for a stop to the violence in the Territory. Photo: VINO/File
Inside of the vehicle that gunmen opened fire on indiscriminately, killing two persons and injuring another, at West End, Tortola on November 22, 2017. Photo: Team of Reporters
Inside of the vehicle that gunmen opened fire on indiscriminately, killing two persons and injuring another, at West End, Tortola on November 22, 2017. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- On the heels of the three recent shootings in the territory, Leader of the Opposition and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party Honourable Andrew A Fahie (R1) has shared his displeasure at the criminal acts and his sympathy for those bereaved.

Hon Fahie was at the time commenting on the three shooting incidents which occurred on the main island of Tortola, which resulted in the death of two persons and wounding of three.

On November 4, 2017 a man was shot in the leg while in the vicinity of a bar in Huntums Ghut; on November 20, 2017, Elmore Stoutt High School teacher Paul S. Meyers was shot in both of his legs while at his residence in Huntums Ghut, and the latest shooting on November 22, 2017 on the western end of Tortola resulted in the death of 11-year old Trinity A. Thomas and Franklin E. Penn Jr. An adult female was injured and remains a patient at Peebles Hospital.

The recent killings also take the homicide count in the Territory to an unprecedented 10 for the year.

We are being robbed of families, security & peace- Hon Fahie

Honourable Fahie, speaking to Virgin Islands News Online, condemned the acts, stating that crimes like these put the territory in a negative light.

“It robs families of their loved one(s), it robs persons of their sense of security, it robs the community and territory of the peace and safety that we have grown to love and appreciate in our beautiful Virgin Islands.”

Residents are now attempting to recover after the category 5 hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the Virgin Islands in early September of this year and the recent crimes, according to Honourable Fahie, are adding to the "already growing stress of residents and we must stand united in our efforts to eradicate crimes of all nature,” stated the Opposition Leader.

“My deepest sympathy goes out to all the families that lost loved ones due to crime.”

'Support the police'

The Leader of the Opposition also took the opportunity to voice his support for the law enforcement agencies. “I believe I speak for the majority of the people of the British Virgin Islands when I say that I wholeheartedly support our law enforcement agencies, especially our police, in their daily fight against crime.”

In a press release from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) issued November 23, 2017, Commissioner of Police Michael B. Matthews had also lamented the recent fatal shootings, stating “While no murder is welcomed news, I believe that there are many in our community who are equally shocked, saddened and disgusted by this cowardly act and even more so that an innocent child was among the victims. More so, that there are people who live among us who would carry out such a contemptable act.”

Commissioner Matthews called for the support of all residents in bringing the perpetrators to justice. “My hope is that those who know the individuals responsible within this community will chose to speak out and not allow these perpetrators one more day of freedom than they deserve. Help us to identify these persons who carried out this heinous act,”

His sentiments were echoed by Honourable Fahie, who called on all residents to join in the fight against crime adding that, “We must bond together as a community so that together we can stomp out crime and do our part to support law enforcement with their mammoth task.”

'Spate of violence bad for the country'- Premier Smith

Meanwhile, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) condemned the recent killings while on the ZBVI 780 AM radio show, 'More Talk Less Music' with host Zoe J. Walcott-McMillan, today November 25, 2017.

"The spate of violence is bad for the country, it is bad for all of us and I just want to give my sincerest condolences to the family of those who were gunned down just a few days ago. It was another senselesss killing that we don't really need in this Territory at this time or any other time.

Premier Smith made an appeal to those engaging in criminal activities, especially gun violence, to desist as it does not help the VI.

"Right now we need everybody to be on board to be doing positive things, to help in the cleanup, to help your neighbour...Stop the violence, let's get together and make the country better," Premier Smith appealed.

18 Responses to “Support the police to 'stomp out crime' in VI- Hon Fahie”

  • ball head (25/11/2017, 10:51) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thank you fahie you more genuine than others playing politics
    • NezRez (25/11/2017, 22:15) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Every day I see young scooter riders speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, no helmets, no insurance and being reckless. The police drive right by them and do nothing at all. I be so angry that the police will not even make an attempt to stop them, so how do you think they are going to stop criminals committing serious crimes. Something has to be done with all of this crime.
  • Citizen (25/11/2017, 10:53) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    Mr. Fahie I heard your call for support to the RVIPF. I am from East End and I can tell you the Police don't need any help in my opinion. If on a regular basis young boys smoking weed and can be seen just opposite the police station in East End and Green Land with scooters at night some of them without light and plenty noise up to 11PM. The police seems very comfortable with law breakers. So what help can I give to them?
    I am saying what I have seen very often... who vex, vex it is true.
  • See (25/11/2017, 11:01) Like (26) Dislike (0) Reply
    so do something about it instead of talk . Scooter boys flip police the bird every day . Lock them up.
  • Retiree (25/11/2017, 11:13) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    What a shame, while I agree with Hon. Fahie and the Premier, the police force have their own skeletons in the closet that must come out b4 they could start solving and preventing crime. Peter Tosh says everybody want peace, but who is crying out 4 justice. With so much injustice in this country especially by those in authority what do you expect, you will have a lawless society. To much corruption in the BVI, it is so sad that the innocent will have to pay in such a divided and corrupt Virgin islands. What is needed is the fear of GOD and justice and the change will come to us as a ppl.
  • Sharon (25/11/2017, 11:17) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    Keep fighting for we country fahie. Them boys don't realize they mashing up the country. Nobody going want come here no more.
    • @ ShARON (25/11/2017, 12:04) Like (26) Dislike (0) Reply
      hope he does a better job than Orlando Smith
    • Sharon...Sharon...Ms Sharon (25/11/2017, 15:31) Like (1) Dislike (22) Reply
      Its ok to like who you like... I like Fahie too. As a matter a fact I like Fahie as a person more than I like Frazer but at this cross road that we are at. In these sinking sands that have us going down slowly.. With the little people getting so much knock about so much secrets and accountability in govt.. Frazer will be the Better leader to take us forward.. He is courageous, fearless, doesn't obligated to no one because of gifts he received.. Frazer is the new start we need...
      • please (25/11/2017, 18:32) Like (42) Dislike (0) Reply
        Just stop it. Fahie is who made us aware of the lack of accountability of the NDP not Frazer. Frazer is not a leader. He can only work with "YES" people. It is his way or no way. He did nothing to help the people when he was minister. He does nothing in his district. His only strength is to seem tough and critisize. Try talk him into retiring and stop trying to encourage wrong...HE IS NO LEADER!
  • Fahiie.. I see U as a Joker (25/11/2017, 15:23) Like (1) Dislike (45) Reply
    U think this issue will give you political mileage so u jump on it. Lol. The Police are happy collecting their salaries and going home to their families... Get courageous like Frazer - Talk about Cable TV The slow or no effort to get cable back. Talk about the Cell companies poor internet service ripping us off---Talk about Rite Way and the way they treating their staff--Talk about labour and the minister and the nonrepresentation workers are getting and ask them what are their roll in the scheme of things.. For your info, I was at the Airport like 2 weeks ago and an official at the airport was so upset that people here don't have jobs and people are coming in on New work permits.. Talking about these things get real. Get couregeous, these are the right and Godly thing to talk about. They may not be politically popular and u do not want to upset certain people..U can't pick and chose which wrong u want to address.... Hence the reason why I switch my alliance to Frazer he is the true warrior...
    • wize up (25/11/2017, 18:11) Like (0) Dislike (22) Reply
      @ fahiiie: I second the motion because some of us just sick of the "old talk" just to score political points.....
    • @fAHIEE..I see U as a Joker (25/11/2017, 18:28) Like (38) Dislike (0) Reply
      Just give us a break. If it is one elected member that has and continues to be a voice for the voiceless over the last two years to present is Andrew Fahie. If it was not for him we would not know how much this ndp government "dung deh" in our treasury getting fat with our money. Frazer is an opportunist and doesn't care about people. All those topics and more Fahie has been speaking about including the banks robbing we the people and much more. You must be live under a ROCK!
      • wize up (27/11/2017, 06:09) Like (1) Dislike (11) Reply
        be true to your country and stop play politics now my question to you(how long Virgin Islands Party were the administers of the VI)...(How long the National Democratic Party was in power)....I say to you this country began going down hill more than 5 years ago and I will say to you legislation should or could have been in place to fix what we here discussing now years ago: we need to stop point out this and that and fix them(talk is cheap)!!!! Nothing personal so keep the faith.....it is high time to stop the blame games and offer up solutions to fix our country(that's if you serious or just jiving)
        • @wize up (27/11/2017, 09:39) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
          You sound so stupid. In life there will always be problems to fix even if they were addressed before. So talk things with sense.
  • DON Q (25/11/2017, 17:25) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fahie or frazer any one of t g e two but crime need some attention
  • Allan (25/11/2017, 21:34) Like (44) Dislike (0) Reply
    All we do is talk so many killing in east end now west end what next we need help bring back the U.K. Police for a year please


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