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VI not as ‘safe anymore’- Shaina M. Smith

- suggests a revamping of policing strategy
Former political candidate Shaina M. Smith has said the Virgin Islands is not as safe as before and that there needs to be a rebuilding of trust between the police and the community. Photo: Facebook
Businesswoman and former political candidate Ms Shaina M. Smith believes there needs to be a revamping of the policing strategy in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
Businesswoman and former political candidate Ms Shaina M. Smith believes there needs to be a revamping of the policing strategy in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- A case for a comprehensive and enhanced strategy for policing has been made.

Vice President of Business at the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotels Association (BVICCHA) Ms Shaina M. Smith voiced her concerns over the rise in crime that the territory has been experiencing of late and made several suggestions geared towards the overall improvement of the crime fighting strategy in the Virgin Islands (UK).

Ms Smith was speaking on the weekly programme Umoja with Cromwell Smith ka Edju Enka on ZBVI 780 AM on Thursday January 12, 2017.

Community trust has to be rebuilt

According to Shaina M. Smith, a political candidate of the National Democratic Party (NDP) for the 2015 general elections, building trust is a very important aspect to be considered.

“If we don’t have that trust, then the working relationship for us to all be secure has broken down and that has to be rebuilt, we have to acknowledge that it has to be rebuilt,” she insisted.

“For whatever reason it is not in good shape, the focus I think needs to be on rebuilding that working relationship between the community and the police and maintaining it because they shouldn’t be around when we have a spike in crime and then we are saying we are not working together to address the issues but it is something that we are intentionally looking at all the time.”

Communication to be improved

Smith believes that communication is another part of the issue, to inform members of the community of what is taking place and what is not taking place.

“I know there is certain information that they would have to hold back …but I think it would be good for more communication to be out there to say this is what’s happening and even public education with regards to our own personal safety,” she pointed out.

VI not as safe anymore

The outspoken VP of the BVICCHA said, at times, residents take for granted that the territory is safe, however, the environment that she grew up in 30 years ago is not the same as now.

“I am more conscious about who’s around me and whether or not I recognise a face that’s outside my door.”

She also mentioned that local law enforcement should be more involved in the schools, to educate the students and even suggested that they could partner with existing programmes and clubs, and called on members of the community to also reach out and involve them more.

“There needs to be a holistic strategy to policing, I really want to know what is the police plan of attack on what’s happening with crime,” she added.

17 Responses to “VI not as ‘safe anymore’- Shaina M. Smith”

  • tretretrete (13/01/2017, 09:42) Like (22) Dislike (15) Reply
    This waste of time trying to stay relevant
    • Wendy (13/01/2017, 11:49) Like (14) Dislike (6) Reply
      I was thinking the same thing when I read the head line and she only going around in the same circle we hear daily.
      All I have to say, GIRL BYE!
  • suggestion (13/01/2017, 09:56) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
    Why she don't speak to her partners in crime the NDP?
  • God Sake (13/01/2017, 10:01) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
    When you have disrespectful leaders that create to a disrespectful non transparent criminal cronyism victimisation culture that's the outcome. There's no leadership. Once they get in they become greedy and think they bigger than everyone else they don't listen to the people they they are the biggest rats that steal our livelihood nothing else. I neither want to hear you or any member of the ndp party. All you time up long time. Go fool and campaign elsewhere not here little gurl.
  • answer (13/01/2017, 10:01) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Join the Police Force or go to the schools etc and help give lectures on crime to the young people.
  • belonger (13/01/2017, 10:09) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    Hon. Parsons is a lady of Courage, the Premier should behave like a leader with Wisdom, like the Great Leader Hon. Ralph T. O'Neal a man he the Premier could learn from, along with Hon. Parson. The public knows what is the situation with the state of the Country when it comes to Crime right now, only the authorities responsible for this lead are burying their heads in the sand and hope that it goes away and in the meantime the rest of us continue to catch hell in all forms of life. We need the Saviour to deliver us from evil now. Thank you Shaina.
  • lock up (13/01/2017, 10:34) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply

    START WITH THE BIGGEST CRIMINAL OF ALL, THE MAN WHO OWNS THE ................. I DON'T KNOW HOW HE COULD WALK AROUND WITH NO SHAME..... IT MUST FEEL GOOD LIVING IN TORTOLA CAUSE THIS KIND OF NONSENSE COULDN'T HAPPEN ANYWHERE ELSE.... HOW CAN THE COUNTRY GET ANY BETTER IF THE POLITICIANS ARE DOING THE SAME THING??? THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS ONE HAS A MASK AND GUN AND THE OTHER ONE HAS ON A SUIT... A THIEF IS A THIEF!! I COULD NEVER HAVE RESPECT FOR THEM PEOPLE...

  • Fukry (13/01/2017, 10:48) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply

    Parents dont give a $%^& anymore. We raise a bunch of savages with no education, no guidance, no care on the world and now we are acting surprised that they have become nuisances on their old age. In most of these cases parents, friends and others are well aware of who are doing what but stay quiet and blame police and govt. Let them keep it up because people are fed up and will start blasting back.

    • Spy (13/01/2017, 14:03) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
      Parents have no time for their children anymore. Here is how it works. Most are raised by single a single parent the mother. She drops the child off at daycare/preschool 7:30 am and picks him/her up at 5 pm. The child is tired and sometime sleeping so off to be bed they go or sometime mommy has to go to college or has a part time job. On Saturday she has to do laundry and go to the hair dresser Sundays she may go to church or is tired so she pop the child in front the TV or give them some from of gadgets to entertain them while she talk on face book and other medium. On Public holidays this is time for mommy to relax to give her credits do a little study. So the question who is raising our children. Do we know their teachers, Daycare Providers or friends? We buy the most expensive clothes/ shoes, phones and other electronics for them. But do we teach them to say simple ancient things such as "please" "thank you" or "excuse me" do we teach them to respect us themselves, other siblings, teachers or other authorities ? or do we tell them that they have the right to anything because of their names or other social status? and when they cannot have them to throw a tantrum or just "take it" The BVI have change because we have forgotten or core values those that were instilled in us by or elders in the community, grandmothers and fathers. We have become strangers in our homes.
      • Roger Burnett (14/01/2017, 09:38) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        I totally agree and I am pleased that you add “fathers” as a child’s fundamental need and right.
  • cay (13/01/2017, 10:50) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everybody looking the spot light
  • suggestion (13/01/2017, 12:27) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Time for an abortion LET US GET RID OF THE NDP
  • morgan (13/01/2017, 14:02) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    "A man is still a man
    Whether him wear jacket and tie
    Or him walk barefoot
    The only difference is whether him good or evil
    A man is still a man
    Whether him rich or poor
    Black or white for sure
    The only difference is whether him good or evil"

    It does not matter what you wear. The fancy suits don't bother I. Jah will be the judge of them elected members. Judgement day is when God talks through the voters to take our country back. I doubt God wants us to live in hell on earth! The real judgement day may the lord have mercy on us all when he comes for this world.
  • voter (13/01/2017, 15:44) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    she still can't beat the Bronx bummer
  • Spy (13/01/2017, 16:22) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    And Shaina, "Policing" starts at home with us who will "Police" our children. It will be easier for the teachers and others who deal with them everyday while the parent(s) are not there. It is always to late when the Police has to do it.
  • Political Observer (PO) (13/01/2017, 17:52) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    The RVIPF's mission is to serve and protect the public. Nonetheless, it cannot accomplish its mission alone; it needs the cooperation and engagement of the community. However, the police has do some introspection and fix itself before it will get the needed cooperation from the community. It has to build positive relationships, trust, confidentiality (too many loose lips), active communication (talk to the community, not at the community).....etc. The police has to be seen as a friend, not a foe. Police must maintain a consistent presence in the community; they must be visible on the streets and in the community. The police must lead the charge for preventing/reducing crime; sitting at a desk waiting for a call is a lagging charge. The use of guns in committing crimes is increasing. As such, resources must be allocated to stemming the flow of guns through the VI extensive and porous coastline. In addition to arresting and prosecuting criminals, it must find the root cause(s) for the spike in crime and root it out.

    Feel Shaina's pain but the quiet, enjoyment and safety of 30 years ago is long gone. It is a new VI. The VI has ballooned from being a little sleepy hollow to all roads now lead to the VI. Over a hundred nationalities now resides in the VI. The VI has grown into one of the more prosperous country in the region, boasting of having one of the highest quality of life and standard of living in the region, along with having one of the highest per capita income in the region($38K). Nevertheless, with progress ( growth and development) comes the good, the bad and the ugly. Social and cultural growth lagged economic growth. This gap has fueled some of social issues now plaguing the VI. In the chase for material stuff, the "Village" once the core of the VI being was lost and the VI is no better for it. It is not an insurmountable climb to get back but it will take time, resources, and sacrifices to make the long climb back may be to what was. It will be a challenge.

    Another issue that is plaguing the VI is drug trafficking and drug use. Drugs and guns are like Siamese twins. The must seek help from the UK others to go after the king pins, not just the small users.
  • Ground sea raging (13/01/2017, 21:21) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    But wait a minute shena just woke up where she living ok frencmans cay wow all those speed boats going in and out of west end all hours of the nigjt drugs right under her nose/door step girl be for real ting te talk.


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