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‘Crime is an oppressive reality that must be stamped out’- Premier Wheatley

- Calls for full support of upcoming Crime Summit
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) giving remarks at the Virgin Islands Heritage Month Committee Emancipation Service at Sunday Morning Well on August 3, 2025. Photo: VINO
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said it is time that a war is launched against criminality and the selfish, corrupt ideology that undergirds it. Photo: VINO
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said it is time that a war is launched against criminality and the selfish, corrupt ideology that undergirds it. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons who attended the Virgin Islands Heritage Month Committee Emancipation Service at Sunday Morning Well on August 3, 2025. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons who attended the Virgin Islands Heritage Month Committee Emancipation Service at Sunday Morning Well on August 3, 2025. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons who attended the Virgin Islands Heritage Month Committee Emancipation Service at Sunday Morning Well on August 3, 2025. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons who attended the Virgin Islands Heritage Month Committee Emancipation Service at Sunday Morning Well on August 3, 2025. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has likened crime to an “oppressive reality”, as he urged Virgin Islanders to take a stand against criminality in the territory.

The Premier was at the time giving remarks at the Virgin Islands Heritage Month Committee Emancipation Service at Sunday Morning Well on August 3, 2025, when he noted that freedom from crime, political freedom, mental freedom, and spiritual freedom are what the Virgin Islands should aspire towards.

“Crime is an oppressive reality that must be stamped out from these islands. Those involved in crime are destroying ourselves, our brothers and sisters, our families, our communities, and our burgeoning nation.

“It is ultimately because people do not know who they are. They are being indoctrinated to think like villains instead of heroes, to hurt instead of help, to destroy instead of protect.”

The Premier said it is time that a war is launched against criminality and the selfish, corrupt ideology that undergirds it.

Crime Summit

“We will not accept it,” Premier Wheatley stated, adding that he is hopeful everyone in the Virgin Islands will be an “enthusiastic participant” in the Crime Summit scheduled for September 24-26, 2025.

He said the Crime Summit will allow the Virgin Islands to come together as a community and “shout a collective no to the criminality that is seeking to take root in our society.

“We will not allow it. We refuse to accept it,” Premier Wheatley stated.

There have been three fatal shootings so far this year. 16 illegal firearms and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition have been seized so far in 2025.

15 Responses to “‘Crime is an oppressive reality that must be stamped out’- Premier Wheatley”

  • BuzzBvi (04/08/2025, 13:04) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Let's start by getting poster boy pictures of criminals off peoples walls.
  • I hear and understand you Premier (04/08/2025, 13:19) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    What are we truly going to do to attack the problem?Crime is getting way out of control. The criminals is past out of control and more brazen. They are breaking into people homes like they are entitled to do so.
  • bvibuzz (04/08/2025, 13:40) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    tell them premier
  • Big Richard (04/08/2025, 13:52) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    We feel the same way about you.
    • Well (05/08/2025, 06:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      You and your brownies with your greedy bill and giving jobs to your vip supporters only
  • Bravo (04/08/2025, 14:22) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Stamp out the crime, but bring in the vulgar gun, sex and lawless criminal artists to prep the young generation to commit more crimes. Pose with them and big them up, but hey the message resonating very well. Say one thing, but do another.
  • facts (04/08/2025, 14:44) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why have you waited so long to act Premier? Your crime summit has been promised for the last 3 years!!
  • WHat !!!! (04/08/2025, 16:15) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Don’t tell us what we already know.
    Come up with some answers or plan.
  • good luck (04/08/2025, 17:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    It going stamp out the bvi economy and honest hard working population when y'all do independent lol. Watch!

    The young people done behaving unruly and saying that is the culture now. Embracing crime life and songs about guns , violence, sex , drugs, fast life, . We in for a rude awakening Yuh hear
  • Senior native citizen of the British Virgin Islands (04/08/2025, 19:20) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yea, yea, yea, the devil (Satan), his demonic forces, and the majority of human know that crime is an oppressive action that needs to be stamped out, for the pride of selfish recognition have chosen its continuation on the path that leads to the personal and inclusion unprofitable end.
    So what shall it profit mankind, if he/she or they/them gain the world, but lose his/her/their soul or what shall a man/woman/youth offer in exchange (trade) for the redemption for his/her/their soul????
  • I agree (05/08/2025, 03:37) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    With premiere Wheatley that crime is oppressive and must be stamped out, even out of office.
    Stamp out that quarter million USD to Vybz Kartel
    Stamp out that $5 million USD to bank of Asia
    Stamp out the non stop parties
    Stamp out the traveling
    Then and only then the youths will see good example to follow.
  • Reality check (05/08/2025, 07:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Stop describing major criminals as legitimate local businessmen! We all know what some of the recent murders relate to - these are not innocents! Call it out Premier, stop posturing or shying away if they are local indigenous people. Call them out, name & shame these criminal idiots who are destroying our beautiful heritage.
  • Truth (05/08/2025, 09:24) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let's start by fixing the cost of living first Premier, the ridiculous house rents, over pricing at all supermarkets except for Bobby's thank God for them and the victimization and maybe then when people start to live a little better and see their way then there will be no need for crime or atleast you will be able to curb it some sort of way
  • ITS AMAZING (05/08/2025, 11:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    HOW OUR MASTER NAT-AL-EO ADMITTED SOME TIME AGO THAT THE SAME COLDBLOODED KILLERS ARE WALKING IN THE STREETS AMONGS US AND NOW ACTING LIKE HE THOUGHT IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF ITSELF ( SO LET THE PARTYING CONTINUE / ALONG WITH TRIPS ALL AROUNG THE WORLD ( WITH NOTHING TO SHOW ) AND WE CAN ALWAYS USE THE WHITE BOYZ AS THE REASON FOR ANY WRONG DOING THAT THEY CANNOT GET SWEEP UNDER THE RUG • ( SO WHO'S MAKING US LOOK BAD ❓️???? ) ALL EMWE HOOD FOR IS CALLING DOWN THOSE WHO IS BRINGING THE HIDDEN FACTS TO LIGHT , BECAUSE IT EXPOSES THOSE WITH FORKED TONGUES , WHO HAS THE PEOPLE MESMERIZED WITH SWEET TALK AND A FEW $$$$ TO BUY THEIR MIND - BODY AND SOULS / SOME ARE AFRAID TO TALK OUT BECAUSE OF RETALIATION WITH LYRICS LIKE " TRAITOR " SOME ARE JUST .PLAIN IGNORANT AND OR ILLITERATE AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS , SO WITH SWEET TALK ALONE THEY ARE LIKE PUPPETS , AND CAN BE LED ANYWHERE AND DO AS THEY ARE TOLD WITHOUT THE THOUGHT OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTION
  • Bring back Capitol Punishment (06/08/2025, 13:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Right now these people know it is a joke in the VI, so they will continue to kill and not get caught. How about bringing back Capitol Punishment offering hefty rewards for tuning in your family, friends etc. I am sure we will see a big decrease in crime. Try it.


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