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We need to see more of new CoP - Radio show caller

- perturbed that two supermarkets robbed with similar MOs within weeks of each other
Commissioner of Police Mr Michael 'Mick' Matthews has already come under criticisms for not apparently doing enough to fight crime in the territory. Photo: VINO/File
The One Mart Supermarket and Riteway Food Market were robbed by armed bandits weeks apart. Photo: VINO/File
The One Mart Supermarket and Riteway Food Market were robbed by armed bandits weeks apart. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - A caller to last night's June 14, 2016 edition of Speak Out BVI has questioned the experience and capabilities of new Commissioner of Police Michael ‘Mick’ Matthews in the wake of a proliferation of high profile crimes in the territory.

Hosted by Douglas Wheatley and broadcast on ZBVI 780 AM, last night's show saw a number of calls from concerned members of the public on various issues.

However, this particular caller was peeved that there were two robberies of supermarkets within weeks of each other.

He noted that while the Commissioner of Police just came to the territory, he is the one in charge and therefore must be held accountable.

“The Commissioner of Police...he just came...and I respect that. But the point is that he is in charge now. We can have a common sense approach to the crime that is going on in this country but I am not seeing that being done,” the man said.

He expressed dismay that an almost similar crime in terms of modus operandi took place within weeks of each other.

On April 18, 2016 One Mart in Purcell Estate was robbed, during which shots were fired and cash taken, in almost the same manner as the Riteway Food Market robbery on Monday evening, June 13, 2016.

“How could you have one place robbed some weeks ago and a few weeks after that another place robbed of the same thing?” asked the caller.

He said that it is incumbent on the police to come up with a strategy that will work in order to seriously combat crime.

He said that as in the two cited cases and many others, by the time the Police arrive on the scene the suspects would have already fled and persons who might have witnessed anything will be afraid to talk.

The livid caller suggested that police presence be heightened in such areas as to prevent such incidents. He said police officers can blend in using unmarked vehicles.

“What is happening? I am not impressed with the experience of this gentleman. I think we need to see more of him and all this experience that he said he comes with,” he said.

8 Responses to “We need to see more of new CoP - Radio show caller”

  • Poice beat (15/06/2016, 17:09) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Frankly we do not wish to see more of him we just want him to do his Job in reducing crime
  • wize up (15/06/2016, 17:27) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply

    Here we go with the blame game: there are person or persons from this territory that fully well know who have committed those crimes as well as the other unsolved crimes in this place but saying nothing.. How you expect this white boy to fix your problems(just asking).....this is your country; when the commissioner's contract expires he is off to his private villa in Florida but we have to stay here, lets try to solve our own social affairs ...the talk show host just prating the same thing over and over and what is the result(nothing).....talk that

    • ..... (16/06/2016, 13:16) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Yes you are right, to hell with a Police force....Let's just Police ourselves.........damn idiot.... I think some of you all are missing the point here. How about showing a presence and deterring criminals?? The job of a Police force isn't to just clean up the mess but as much as possible to help prevent the mess in the first place...
  • Impressed (15/06/2016, 20:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    hey, at least the new guy is a good photographer, likes 'candid camera' shots of people at their homes...
    maybe put on a photo exhibit.
  • just asking.... (15/06/2016, 21:25) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    lord ah mussy the man just come you mean he will not get ah honey moon?
  • Migoman (15/06/2016, 22:20) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yall need to just chillax. The man just got sworn in about 2 months ago. Give him a break. Give him time to do his job.
  • Help (16/06/2016, 03:42) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    How we can have the police department doing anything in this country when their should be working to protect the country but doing security for side jobs to make money in their pocket and running after all women around the different islands their don't have time to do their job that government is paying them to do all these police men are doing in this country is getting pay to do nothing
  • smh (17/06/2016, 00:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Investigate the security personnel who works at these establishments. Certain officer was on duty at a phone company and was on his cell phone for more than 20 mins looking up only briefly at the door. Walked into the same supermarket a few days after to witness the same occurrence by the same officer. I was very much concerned.


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