Zero Police CCTV cameras working; Are we serious about fighting crime?
While many residents have claimed that they have given up on the National Democratic Party (NDP) Administration and the National Security Council to keep the country safe and keep crime on a low, it appears that there is more political rhetoric, spin and talk about fighting and reducing crime than real serious solutions and the use of the best modern crime fighting practices.
Things that are outdated & have failed
There has been some regressive and old fashion thinking, such as curfew for scooters, or banning them all together, returning a national curfew, which many progressive residents and legal scholars deem as a threat to residents’ rights and freedoms guaranteed in the constitution, or bringing more UK police officers, most often retired, as they allegedly have the expertise and investigative skills that are lacking in the local force.
Others have called for putting a gun in the hands of every police officer, as they argued that the criminals are armed and dangerous.
We are in this together
It has been established that the police alone cannot fight and reduce crime as the efforts need ‘all hands on deck’- the police, the private sector, the political leaders, the churches, community and youth organisations and ordinary citizens.
However, the people of the Virgin Islands (VI) have entrusted the political leaders, meaning the government of the day, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, and the Governor to take the lead in crime reduction and prevention.
Residents are expected to pay taxes that go to fund the police operations which include, tools, facilities, training, salaries and manpower.
The NDP stewardship on law & order, according John S. Duncan
However, critics of the ruling NDP Administration that came to power in 2011 said they have refused to adequately fund the police or make law enforcement a priority under Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), who is also the Minister of Finance.
Police funding has been on the back burner for years under the current government and operations had gotten so bad for the Police and their ability to fight and reduce crime that former governor, John S. Duncan OBE made history.
He imposed direct rule on March 16, 2017 via his constitutional powers under sec 103 (b) and took over $1.88M out of the Consolidated Fund and demanded and directed that it goes for police funding and the courts. In doing so Mr Duncan, in a public statement, said the lack of funding by the Smith Administration had “impacted the RVIPF’s capabilities and the consequently a reduction in the forces’ ability to tackle criminality in the Territory.”
The former Governor also said on June 26, 2017 in an exclusive interview with our newsroom that part of the crime problem the VI now faces is because of “4 years of underspending of police,” pointing the finger at the current government.
This was the first time since the country had been responsible for its own finances, some 40 plus years ago, that such a decision by a governor had been taken.
Dr Smith has egg on his face
Premier Smith, so embarrassed and marginalised by this action, hit the airways claiming that his administration had funded the police and that most of the cheques needed for items they requested were ready for collection and sitting at the Treasury.
This turned out to be a lie and the former Financial Secretary Neil N. Smith was removed from his post, partly over this embarrassing moment. Premier Smith has since apologised to the people for the deception and corrected the information in another statement.
Then came the hurricanes of September 2017 that destroyed much of the police infrastructure, including police stations, CCTV cameras, vehicles, boats and communications equipment.
Before the hurricanes there were reports carried by this news site that many of the law enforcement CCTV cameras were not working, therefore information could not be retrieved from them.
The Government again, just reacting a few days ago, announced another $5M to help fight crime and the United Kingdom Government had also poured in another 1.2 million pounds earlier this month.
What a shame! Not even a CCTV camera anywhere!
Now comes word that some five months later, following the killer storms, Irma and Maria, not one CCTV security camera has been reinstalled anywhere in the Territory, further placing crime solving in jeopardy.
Meanwhile, according to a Senior NDP Official who normally speaks to us on inside matters, Cabinet has agreed to release funds from the Reserve Fund to place new CCTV cameras in key locations around the islands; however, to date this has not happened or have the cameras been ordered.
Following some recent crimes, the Police relied on the use of private businesses’ CCTV surveillance cameras to help in their investigations.
CCTV cameras for RT a priority- CoP
Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Michael B. Matthews told our newsroom that the access to “reserves” is a welcome boost to enhance security for all agencies following the impact of the hurricanes.
He said the RVIPF will be prioritising static cameras for Road Town “to assist where the hurricanes severely damaged our normal CCTV capability.”
He also said the RVIPF will be enhancing its marine capability in partnership with Her Majesty’s Customs and the introduction of “dedicated RVIPF dogs in support of both local policing requirements and our Ports and Airports authorities to support their security needs.”
No Crime Stoppers hotline since Irma
In addition, many residents have confided in our newsroom that they tried calling the crime stoppers hot line located in Florida, USA for confidential tips, but they were told “the lines do not work” following the passage of the September 2017 hurricanes.
A call by our newsroom to the crime stoppers number 800 8477TIPS, moments ago Wednesday February 28, 2018 confirmed a recording saying, “the number is temporarily out of service...”
With many of the basic crime fighting tools not functional and not even a police station under repair, it begs the question, if the Governor, the government of the day, the Police Commissioner and the National Security Council are serious about fighting crime?
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19 Responses to “Zero Police CCTV cameras working; Are we serious about fighting crime?”
TWO W**** MAN INCHARGE OF CRIME YOU GO FIGURE
Wuk up or safety & justice?!?
These two white guys have failed on crime
So much for responsible government and the rule of law
When will our government get it together?
More cameras would assist in solving serious crime, but only if there is a consensus that the slight loss of privacy is worth it. My expat view should you wish to hear it, is that if one is not doing anything illegal, then cameras, correctly managed, will not make any difference to one's daily life, but not all will agree.