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Govt needs to put more resources in RVIPF – Ms Eugenia O’Neal
It was the occasion of the introduction of seven police officers who were among several others recently trained in community policing when Ms O’Neal asked the rhetorical question - whether the government of the Virgin Islands (VI) is being encouraged to put more resources into the RVIPF so that they can do the things that citizens want them to do. “If we are not doing that, then we are not really helping the problem either.”
Ms O’Neal alluded to the number of officers currently in the RVIPF and said while it may sound a lot when broken down is totally inadequate to satisfy the required policing needs of community in the various aspects.
This concern was raised in the presence of Commissioner of Police (CoP) David Morris, Members of the NDP government including Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool, Hon Delores Christopher, Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines, Member of the Opposition VIP First District Representative Honourable Andrew A. Fahie who were all at the launch held at Sir Olva Georges Plaza yesterday, February 24, 2014.
CoP Morris is expecting the maximum out of the officers who are now assigned to duties in community policing. He noted too that in executing their duties, which would not necessarily only include matters of crime, the officers are not to be seen locked in their vehicles with window up and air conditioning on but out making their presence felt.
“I don’t expect to see them driving around in cars with windows up and air-conditioning on. I expect them to be out there walking in the neighbourhoods,” CoP Morris further added, “I expect the neighbourhood or the community to invite them in; give them a drink, give them something to eat, make sure that you actually engage with the officers.”
Constable Clyde Potter who has been assigned to the East End/Long Look communities while speaking on behalf of his fellow colleagues assured that their performance would be one that all can be confident will be good. He underscored the importance of them getting cooperation from all levels for them to be successful in the programme.
“Now trained, we are ready to make a difference in our communities,” Constable Potter said at the launch activity. “We don’t expect dramatic changes overnight, but we are determined to make a positive difference in our communities. We ask for your support, encouragement and cooperation.” He added.
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10 Responses to “Govt needs to put more resources in RVIPF – Ms Eugenia O’Neal”
While neither the VIP or the NDP could be considered a "law & order government", the VIP did a LOT more than the NDP ever has to support the police and curb violence.
The NDP campaign promise of tougher gun legislation, is a no show thus far. It wouldn't surprise me if the 2015 election comes and goes without it either.
The only time the Smith government really made any comment (at all) regarding crime, was when Kendoy Penn was murdered in September, 2005 and then again during their election campaign in 2011. It seems they prefer to ignore crime altogether. They are too busy dreaming up major infrastructural developments, to deal with such mundane affairs.
After the VIP took back government in August, 2007 they were faced with a police department that was badly understaffed and crime was completely out of control. It took a full year before government was able to rally and get the staffing numbers back up to where it should have been and get the crime spree in check. That was when they brought in 5 policemen from the UK. Suddenly, the number of murders and overall crime figures dropped noticeably.
Sadly, no amount of policing is going to help if the community at large, (including parents, government, educators, youth groups & church groups) don't start putting more emphasis and more funding into providing constructive things for children and teenagers to do.
While community centers are allowed to deteriorate, playgrounds are ignored and become overgrown, baseball and other youth sports facilities crumble, we all seem taken aback when youth crime increases. Do any of us really have to ask ourselves why?
We are failing our children over and over and over again and they are turning to other (less savory) things to keep themselves occupied. Then when they come to the community to ask for help and support, (such as one young man did regarding motor bikes), certain government officials get their noses out of joint because they weren't asked to attend a meeting! This, despite the fact that the meeting was announced in the papers! Other people who did not receive PERSONAL invitations showed up!
We MUST ALL support our police and we MUST ALL support our children. What we MUSN'T do is support a government that doesn't support either and cuts off funding for necessary staff, equipment and maintenance.
The government do not need too. Just leave the country to go to the dogs, and just blame the police, and just let crime destroy the bvi a little more, and more and more and more, until all perfectly slip away and it will be the downward spiral of this little beautiful place. So no problem, hate the police and do not give them what is needed to maintain a proper national security curriculum for this country. Besides that the government needs to do something about the corrupt big governmental personnel. and funny enough they need to start with the police. Despite the commissioner good intentions within the RVIPF to tackle crime there are serious c.......on taking place under the 1 and second in charge and they seems to want to turn a blind eye to it. The public is watching, even other police officers are watching waiting for a reaction or the truth will be revealed to the media!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!