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'Thefts on boats messing up business' – charter boat operator

- RVIPF praised for arrests made
Over the recent months there has been a significant rise in the number of thefts committed on boats across the territory, especially on Tortola. Photo: VINO
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has come in for high praise for the number of arrests made in relation to thefts on boats. Photo: VINO
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has come in for high praise for the number of arrests made in relation to thefts on boats. Photo: VINO
Most of the persons arrested by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) in relation to thefts on boats have been placed before the Magistrate's Court. Photo: VINO/file
Most of the persons arrested by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) in relation to thefts on boats have been placed before the Magistrate's Court. Photo: VINO/file
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – A well known charter boat operator in the Virgin Islands has expressed concerns about the increased number of burglaries taking place on boats and while praising the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for a significant amount of arrests, he feels the tourism industry is beginning to feel the squeeze due to the prevalence of the criminal activity.

“The guys in the CID, man they have been really good. With all these thieving that has been going on our boats, they have been working with us and I glad to know that they caught a number of them bastards because they just messing up we business,” said the concerned charter boat operator who chose to remain anonymous.

The man told Virgin Islands News Online that over the past months a number of his boats were broken in to and he has recorded significant loses. “Now they got time when I had people, tourists, big money tourists losing very valuable items which no amount of money could have brought back,” he noted.

He said the harsh reality of the break-ins hit him when a group of tourists told him they would not be returning to the Virgin Islands and would not be encouraging anyone to do so because of a spate of robberies they had experienced while in the territory.

“That is cause for concern because we depend on tourism for our daily dollar and that group that said that to me is a group that pays good and if they said they not coming back, man that really bad and you could imagine how many more saying the same thing,” the boat operator noted.

Sources within the RVIPF have confirmed they have made a number of arrests as it relates to burglaries committed on boats over the past months. They said they have been getting the cooperation of boat owners and other public spirited persons.

“Not to say that there is not much more to be done but the CID has been doing a commendable job and would love to see the commissioner and other heads continuing to support those guys. You must give credit where it is due,” said the source.

Members of the CID unit also supported the story of the charter boat operator as they said many tourists have said the same thing to them during investigations. “But some of those same tourists turned back and praise the police for being able to return some of their priceless items that were stolen and that’s key to note,” said the source.

16 Responses to “'Thefts on boats messing up business' – charter boat operator”

  • born here (03/10/2013, 08:09) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Credit should only be giving to forensic because of finger print and DNA, CID just enjoying cook work.
  • vip (03/10/2013, 09:14) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Crime is way up under this ndp administration.
  • facts (03/10/2013, 09:44) Like (2) Dislike (15) Reply
    Police under Morris is the biggest joke
  • Bye, Bye BVI (03/10/2013, 10:22) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    Um, let's see.....
    1. ARMED Robberies
    2. Thefts by people being given a ride
    3. 15% "service charge" for service with attitude
    4. Robberies while I'm on MY boat with MY family
    5. Outrageous food prices for provisioning
    6. Cruise ship crowds
    7.Undependable ferries

    I'll stop here, but you see my point(s). Time to move on....used to love coming here. Thanks for the GOOD times we've had in years past.
    • BVIslander (03/10/2013, 14:02) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      I'm so sorry to here your experience, it was our pleasure having you all.its just another part of this sick developing world
    • AINTMOVING (04/10/2013, 08:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Thank you, "bye, bye., BVI" Another one who wouldn't be looking Belonger Status. You see, when the going gets rough, its Virgin Islanders staying put. As the new slang goes: "The Virgin Islands is our home, where will we run to when times get hard?" Those who don't have ties, gone flying on their kite string; thus, it is time, high time the Government put Virgin Islanders at the centre of the country's development. We are not leaving and our contribution will be continuously sure.
  • Real!! (03/10/2013, 10:31) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply

    Start sh**ting them, that's the only answer!!! The tourists should keep their flare guns and some gas close by and dowse the £%%%^ when they come on looking to steal. They sick now man.

    • Struggling Man (03/10/2013, 11:28) Like (4) Dislike (10) Reply
      Real - get real ! The tourist would end up in jail and the press would paint it as a big race issue.
  • In Tortola (03/10/2013, 14:04) Like (0) Dislike (12) Reply
    I think these news media should stop publishing these negative stories or stop allowing people to post negative comments. as they re affecting out tourism tremendously
    • @ in tortola (03/10/2013, 15:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      THEN DO NOT READ THEM BOSS
    • Strups (04/10/2013, 11:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Some of you ppl really don't have much sense. Ohhhh so you would rather the media report only the nice & pretty news & keep hidden just how rotten this place turning out to be huh. I guess you trying to stick to the "natures little secret", well sorry to bust your bubble the secret is out for one & all. If you want positive news reported then don't do negative BS beginning with your gov. Even if the media don't report it just know that the visitors will certainly do it for you, ever heard of twitter? No matter how much perfume you spray on sh!t at the end of the day its still sh!t & you can't hide that fact.

      Why don't you tell the hooligans who up and down robbing folks to stop the nonsense and leave ppl alone. Leave them man, they goin do & do till soon & very soon somebody will sort them out & then the news headline will be "Man dead in armed robbery". Let me see you come on then and say the media shouldn't publish negative news.
  • POPE (03/10/2013, 15:18) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    people hungry more of this to come
  • shark (03/10/2013, 16:44) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    I am always say this and preaching this the Government needs to start screening the people that they let come into this country,criminals are coming here using others people identification,they need to do more thorough back ground checks,finger printing at every port of entry,we need to take back control of our country.
  • Vi massive (03/10/2013, 21:49) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's about time somebody tell the rest of the BVI what's taking place here. Most of it is been done by locals and we continue to cover up when we find out it is our kids or a member of our family. And let me tell you this before you start thinking its someone from out side wrote this, I born here just like you. Its time to put a cap on this. We have to clamp down on these crimes before things get out of hand. Thank you VINO
  • guess what (04/10/2013, 15:03) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    You'd be surprised just how many tourists read these stories. I'm not talking the nickel dime cruise people, but the ones who spend big money on charters,hotels,villas and restaurants. They these stories and I've heard from more than a few of them that they are looking elsewhere.


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