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‘You are being left exposed to crime’ – Hon Andrew A. Fahie

- blasts NDP Government for lack of priority on crime fight
Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) during his Annual First District Report at The Capoon’s Bay Recreation Grounds on January 21, 2018. Photo: VINO
The scene of a shooting in Road Town, Tortola on March 10, 2017: For 2017 there were 10 homicides committed- the highest ever for the tiny British Overseas Territory. Photo: VINO/File
The scene of a shooting in Road Town, Tortola on March 10, 2017: For 2017 there were 10 homicides committed- the highest ever for the tiny British Overseas Territory. Photo: VINO/File
It was on March 16, 2017 that previous Governor John S. Duncan OBE ordered that over $1.88M of public monies be taken from the Consolidated Fund and decided that the Police, Magistrate’s Court, Attorney General’s Chambers and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions be granted these funds. Photo: VINO/File
It was on March 16, 2017 that previous Governor John S. Duncan OBE ordered that over $1.88M of public monies be taken from the Consolidated Fund and decided that the Police, Magistrate’s Court, Attorney General’s Chambers and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions be granted these funds. Photo: VINO/File
CAPOON’S BAY, Tortola, VI- “If these serious crimes continue to increase our businesses will suffer, our tourism product will suffer, our sense of safety and security will be shattered and our economy will be negatively affected. You my people are being left exposed!”

This is according to Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) during his Annual First District Report at The Capoon’s Bay Recreation Grounds on January 21, 2018.

The Virgin Islands experienced an unprecedented 10 homicides in 2017, as well as armed robberies, burglaries and, following the hurricanes of 2017, there was widespread looting.

According to Mr Fahie, law enforcement in the territory continues to suffer as a result of bad financial management on the part of the Minister of Finance and Premier, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), another reason he called for the vote of No-Confidence against him in the August 1, 2017 sitting of the House of Assembly.

“This was done for the police, Customs and all our law enforcement agencies who have to deal with the rapid increase in crime especially serious crime but your urgent needs take second priority due to poor financial decisions and management.”

The 10 people murdered in the [British] Virgin Islands in 2017 are: David ‘Mooney’ Springette, Alston E. Penn, Frankie J. Fahie, Jefferson Joseph, Ashburn A. Dawson, Shaun Richards, Sherika Nelson, Julio Pineda Ceasar, Franklin E. Penn Jr and Trinity A. Thomas.

7 of the 10 homicide cases in the VI for 2017 remain unsolved.

There have been some 27 cold cases in the VI since 2000.

Direct rule due to NDP Gov’t lack of priority on crime fight

It was on March 16, 2017 that previous Governor John S. Duncan OBE ordered that over $1.88M of public monies be taken from the Consolidated Fund and decided that the Police, Magistrate’s Court, Attorney General’s Chambers and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions be granted these funds.

His move was done by imposing direct rule via his constitutional authority under Sec 103 (b).

Although Governor Duncan’s actions belittled the National Democratic Party Government of Premier Smith, many people supported the Governor as they felt Government was not doing enough to address the obvious upsurge in criminal activities, including gun crime.

At the time too, the Territory had also seen three homicides for the year, two by gun violence.

19 Responses to “‘You are being left exposed to crime’ – Hon Andrew A. Fahie”

  • Eagle Eye (27/01/2018, 11:19) Like (3) Dislike (11) Reply
    The spanish man the police shot dead is a murder to.
    • @Eagle Eye (27/01/2018, 12:35) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
      Yes, the Spanish man was a murderer too. You are correct!
    • tola (27/01/2018, 14:22) Like (23) Dislike (1) Reply
      They did not bash his head in with a rock.They were trying to arrest an accused murderer who was resisting with a knife.
    • lord o. (27/01/2018, 14:33) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
      Fahie. What about the present labour, Immigration , employees, employers issues?. Lend your voice to those issues also
  • 1 (27/01/2018, 11:45) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    nothing will change
  • same old (27/01/2018, 12:29) Like (6) Dislike (12) Reply
    Blame blame blame! By time election campaign comes around nobody will want to listen anymore.
  • Hmmmm (27/01/2018, 13:38) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    If the powers that be have ppl with bad intentions @ the top what do you expect.
  • Dodging hoop.. (27/01/2018, 14:30) Like (1) Dislike (16) Reply
    Only One representative since the Hurricane tackle and address the hard and difficult issue of laid off and Fired workers and rightfully accuse some employers of using the storm as escuse to let go some employees, thats person is the Hon Alvera Caines.. . Crime is an easy issue for every politician. The labour /,employer / Employee Issue Is blazing fire that they all avoiding...Except Ms. Caines. She is a real Woman.. Real Women are usually passionate about family issues.. No deeper a family issue is than Job loss...
    • To Dodging hoop... (29/01/2018, 08:33) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Try talk things with sense. That woman can't put two good sentence together much less to fight for we the people on anything. Also why is she fighting and she is in the government. All she has to do is speak to her colleagues and get the problem solved but because the NDP fighting each other for power the people continue to suffer.
  • so you believe (27/01/2018, 15:36) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply
    if the govt changes crime gonna stop no way.it may even get worse.Remember that if my people turn from their wicked ways I will forgive their sins and I will heal their lands. Too many are professing with their mouth about Christ and their hearts are not entwined with His and more over we have too many bench warmers and ice cream Christians among us.Most of whom are so much involve in criminal activities.
  • bat cave (27/01/2018, 17:44) Like (30) Dislike (10) Reply
    Fahie please tell us about your plans to fight crime
    • @ bat cave (29/01/2018, 07:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      That's why I voting for the esteem he came with solutions
    • To bat cave (29/01/2018, 08:36) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      You must have been in your cave & didn't listen to the entire speech. Also Fahie is a true leader. He is the only elected official that showed true leadership after the devastation of hurricane Irma and that's a fact. In times of trouble what was in him came out which was LEADERSHIP. He will make a GREAT PREMIER!
  • wize up (27/01/2018, 20:41) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
    Fahie: ask the governor or the commissioner of police: some of you want to shift the blame on the people but our political leadership have a lot to do with the disconnect that now plagues this BVI: let’s move away from any blame-games; sit and hold conversation with them same young brothers up and down on those bikes: who tries to talk to them other try to arrest them: look around your BVI and see who are actually gainfully employed(or who need documents to work).....have nothing to do from here(be true to yourself!!)
  • Concerned (28/01/2018, 08:00) Like (14) Dislike (7) Reply
    I am also concerned about crime, blame game and laws not being enforced. Are the traffic laws not enforced because a person with a ticket will rat on someone else? You cannot stop crime at the bottom if top is lawless. Representative Fahie, please tell us what YOU would do if elected. We can all point fingers and I like what you point to, but I want to know how YOU would do it and what YOU would do. I will not vote for anyone who will not say; This is what I would do. Then if not done that person can be held accountable. Not will do different, but specifics
  • Disgusted (28/01/2018, 09:21) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    It is easy to criticize and condemn and most fools do !!
    • To Disgusted (29/01/2018, 08:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The man is not critising but stating facts about blatant corruption that is going with tax payers money in the millions by this ndp government. He mentioned certain actions and solutions to be taken like Campaign Finance legislation, Ethics legislations, Whistle Blowing legislation to protect public servants and others. Fahie is a true leader that cares about the people and the BVI. He will do well as the next Premier. He proved more than ever during and after IRMA that he is a great leader.
  • b ghut (29/01/2018, 08:01) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    White collar crime ndp needs to be investigated period


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