Road Town Police Station: Chairman of the Board of Advance Marketing and Professional Services and former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Mr Julian Willock, is proposing a comprehensive plan of action to fight crime in the Virgin Islands (UK). Photo: VINO

From left: Dr Juan E. Rhymer, Mrs Sandra V. Phillip-Hodge and Former Permanent Secretary and Businessman Mr Julian Willock following the Health, Sickness and Restoration Show on 100.9 FM ZKING on Monday March 27, 2017. Photo: Team of Reporters

The spate of violent crimes has been a hot topic of discourse and Willock, who was a guest on the Health, Sickness and Restoration Show on 100.9 FM ZKING on Monday March 27, 2017 with host Dr Juan E. Rhymer, co-host Sandra V. Phillip-Hodge and Mr Morrice C. Wollerd, was giving his views on the situation and proposed measures he believes should be taken to have crime reduced.

“It was about nine months ago that I was one of the few voices in the BVI talking about crime and what needs to be done to reduce crime in the Virgin Islands,” Mr Willock said, adding “And I have said to my friends that it is easy to criticise but the conversation has to be changed where we come to the table with solutions.”

Funding

Mr Willock said one of the main areas that need to be addressed is funding, and he suggested that on a yearly basis, $1M should be taken from the BVI Tourist Board Budget and given to the RVIPF.

“Because there must be synergy between your tourism product and crime. Vistors want to come to a low crime jurisdiction. So funding the police was one of the big issues that I have talked about for nine months,” he said.

Training

Mr Willock pointed out that training for the Police officers, locally, regionally and internationally and the use of technology, are also important.

“You must use technology. I am told that almost half of the CCTV Cameras around the Territory are not working.”

Leadership

The former Permanent Secretary and former Director of the Water and Sewerage Department mentioned that confidence must be restored in the people by the RVIPF hierarchy.

“And then the leadership of the RVIPF must restore confidence, that if I see or know about a crime I feel confident enough to go to the top police brass, give them the information and the next day my name will not be on the streets as a snitch.”

Take care of internal issues in RVIPF

Mr Willock said addressing internal issues is also key in crime fighting.

“There are many police officers who have their career goals and ambitions, therefore internal issues of promotions, and fairness, and those sorts of things, must also be addressed. That will also help to raise morale in the force, and motivate the officers to raise the level.”

Societal ills must also be tackled

Willock argued that in terms of synergy, some of the social issues such as lack of jobs and opportunities, teenaged pregnancy, drugs, and alcohol use must be tackled.

“Serious concentration should also be paid to the social problems that contribute to crime so therefore funding must be made available, as this is another way of reducing crime. Mr Willock stated if you give the police force $5M, tomorrow, yes there might be a marginal reduction in crime but the other things must also be a part of the strategy.”

Holistic approach critical

Mr Willock continued to lay out his solutions on the table, adding that the church must also play a role in the process, especially by mentoring the young people.

“So everybody working together must come up with a holistic crime strategy…So the RVIPF, its leadership, its management must come to the table with a comprehensive approach taking all these aspects into account to fight crime.”

Shameful on both Governor & NDP

Giving his views on the recent move by the Governor John S. Duncan OBE to use his powers under the constitution to direct $1.88 Million to the RVIPF and the legal arm of the Government, Mr Willock said that in principle he is in agreement with the Governor as he had to do what was necessary. However, he also questioned the motive of the UK appointed Governor, pointing out that there were more chances for him to “flex his muscles” such as when the Appropriation Draft came to Cabinet before it went to the House of Assembly and when it became a Bill and came to him for his signature, he could have refused to assent to the Bill until his funding requested were addressed, yet he did not do that but signed the Bill.

“But what he did was necessary,” Mr Willock noted.

He described as “shameful” embarrassing and shows much incompetence on the Government’s part that the Governor had to go that route because of lack of funding.

“So it a shame on both houses, both the Governor and the Government of the day.”