'Things would be different if tourist or white person is shot'- Claude O. Skelton-Cline
He was at the time speaking exclusively with our newsroom on what he thought about security and crime.
"I was pleased to finally see them have a joint press conference that concerned itself with the issue of security and the rise in crime in the territory. However, both of them needs to be aware that the country is in a state of anxiety and fear," expressed Mr Skelton-Cline.
The joint press conference was held on Tuesday February 27, 2018 at The Governor's Residence.
Millions not enough to address security
Meanwhile, the social commentator pointed out that the monies being given to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is "not sufficient" to address the needs of security in the Territory.
He said, "Security involves a complete border patrol where you have to have something similar as the coast guard in the Virgin Islands (US)," while emphasising that issuing statements and holding press conferences will not make persons feel better.
He further mentioned that it is not about blaming the Governor or the Premier but holding them accountable for the portfolio in which they are responsible for.
"They are responsible for the National Security Council. The commissioner reports directly to the Governor and we have to hold them accountable. It’s not simply blaming, it’s simply holding them accountable for the portfolio, for the subject that’s under their portfolio. They should be the ones leading the charge with the police commissioner and with the heads of these departments in ensuring that we live in a safe place," said Mr Skelton-Cline.
"Aggressive & robust" approach to tackle crime
The outspoken Skelton-Cline stated that security needs to be an immediate priority and there has to be an "aggressive and robust" approach in tackling crime in the territory rather than thinking about what to do.
In addition, he pointed out that although there are a number of United Kingdom (UK) investigators in the territory, crime continues to go unsolved.
"This needs to be a priority and the way that we are going to know that it is a priority is that they are putting the resources immediately. It cannot be that they are sitting down thinking about it, still trying to figure it out. There has to be an aggressive and robust approach immediately on the issue of crime," said Mr Skelton-Cline.
Different reaction if stray bullet hits tourist or white person
The former managing director expressed that there would be an uproar if a stray bullet hit a tourist or white person but believes there is a sense of "calm" if it happens to a local person.
"If and when one of these stray bullets hit a tourist, hit a white person, you will see a whole different situation unfold. We have to put it that way and people don’t like when we begin to speak that way but it is the truth of the matter and as long as it is just us that is being affected then there is this calm and this antiseptic approach. We can’t afford to have it happen here for the sake of the economy, tourism product and equally for the sake of locals. We cannot be in the state of fear and trepidation because the people responsible for the issue of security are not doing their job. We have a serious issue in this country in crime and it needs to be immediately addressed," urged Mr Skelton-Cline.
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35 Responses to “'Things would be different if tourist or white person is shot'- Claude O. Skelton-Cline”
And your point about "whether the victim is a tourist or a thug, the urgency is the same" is surely the main point. Thank you.
Where there's no Vision..It's a simple solution,bring the God damn Army back in ,it wouldn't cost 5 mil..What are they going to do with that money? Just F it up..Set a Jac#$&$*##s up Town..
If you have done wrong ; be a Man and speak to whom you have wronged ; THIRD WORLD said "conversation relieves tension". Leave BALO for who there already and JOHNSON GHUT the old people pleaseeee . YOU CAN MAKE THE CHANGE YOUNG PEOPLE (male / female) " We are in this together" Quoted from JFB
He talks like white people now are from abroad and blacks are from here. Rubbish. Even the nonwhite Caribbean had many races and mixed race people and many white people are from here too.
He insinuates that only white people’s lives matter in this community but with no basis for saying that. He perpetuates the ignorance.
The fact he nearly gets right is when expats or tourists (no matter what they look like) get affected the effect on the economy and on BVI people’s lives and livelihoods will be severe. This is the case even if the gang rubbish and cowardly settling an argument with a gun amongst black Caribbean boys continues. But this community has created the environment for this to happen. These boys have no self respect, no respect for others, for the law, for life. They have no direction. Many will have been abused as children as well. Church leaders are not supposed to be people who take money from congregations for personal wealth and lifestyle, they are supposed to provide moral guidance in the community.
What do we expect in schools with unqualified teachers and chronic underfunding of education resources for generations? So many kids with no dads, so many kids raped, so many teen pregnancies, a music culture that speaks only to encourage gang culture or treating women like garbage? We have a system of destroying businesses before they get going for a fast buck of to stifle competition for a favour. A system where people cannot get trained and acceptable literate a d customer friendly staff because someone else born here and not qualified fancies the salary - but none of the decades of education and training and sacrifice that lead up to being able to do the job well.
They manchildren cannot do well where there is no opportunity, no guidance and no self respect or respect for the country.
Can do better but will we?
NOT!!
So instead of using race as an impetus for crime solving abilities, let us get about the business of common sense strategies as I see it: tip hotlines, payments for tips leading to arrest, and proper witness protection programs!