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'No effort must be spared in strengthening our security'- Gov Rankin

- said he will will aim to provide any 'extra resource necessary to the Police Commissioner'
His Excellency, Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, has spoken out on the recent murders in the territory, stating that everything must be done to strengthen the security of these islands. Photo: GIS/Facebook
Governor John J. Rankin will aim to provide any extra resource necessary to Police Commissioner Michael B. Matthews (in photo) to ensure effective investigations into the murders so that those responsible will be held to account and brought before the courts. Photo: VINO/File
Governor John J. Rankin will aim to provide any extra resource necessary to Police Commissioner Michael B. Matthews (in photo) to ensure effective investigations into the murders so that those responsible will be held to account and brought before the courts. Photo: VINO/File
The latest murder victim in the Virgin Islands is Walid Kashour, whose body was found floating in the Sea Cows Bay harbour with rope binding his hands and feet last Friday, February 19, 2021. Photo: Facebook
The latest murder victim in the Virgin Islands is Walid Kashour, whose body was found floating in the Sea Cows Bay harbour with rope binding his hands and feet last Friday, February 19, 2021. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- His Excellency, Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, has spoken out on the recent murders in the territory, stating that everything must be done to strengthen the security of these islands.

The portfolio of security is the responsibility of the Governor.

“As Governor of the British Virgin Islands, I share the concern of all in the community regarding the recent murders that have taken place. Under the Constitution, the security of these Islands is my responsibility. I will aim to provide any extra resource necessary to the Police Commissioner to ensure effective investigations into the murders so that those responsible will be held to account and brought before the courts. This must be the top priority of the RVIPF,” he said via a statement on Monday, February 22, 2021.

The Governor; however, did not state whether the 'extra resources' will be solicited from the United Kingdom or the VI's treasury.

He said while the Virgin Islands remains one of the safest places in the region, the violence and deaths caused by such crime afflict the whole community.

Tackling organised crime

“No effort must be spared in strengthening our security, including our border security, preventing those responsible for such violence and loss of life from continuing their criminal activities,” he added.

Governor Rankin then called on anyone with information on those involved in drugs trafficking, illegal firearms and organised crime to bring it to the attention of the authorities.

He then placed on record his support for Police Commissioner Mr Michael B. Matthews, that officers of the RVIPF would be further deployed to tackle organised crime.

Increased police presence

“The RVIPF has already initiated a high-profile operation increasing its presence on the streets day and night. This has already been met with a positive response from many members of the community and has increased information reaching the force,” he further said.

He then stated that security would continue to be his 'top priority’ and urged residents to join him.

The latest homicide victim in the past few months is Walid Kashour, whose body was found in the Sea Cows Bay waters, with rope binding his hands and feet last Friday, February 19, 2021.

20 Responses to “'No effort must be spared in strengthening our security'- Gov Rankin”

  • Hmmmm (23/02/2021, 08:32) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    The fight is real,,,,,,The opposition is strong,,,,Stay with it,,,, do your job,,
    • Ummm (23/02/2021, 19:56) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      SO, shouldn't ALL victims of past crimes also be given attention?????
  • my two cents (23/02/2021, 08:36) Like (0) Dislike (48) Reply
    He acting like racist Gus already
    • Hottie (23/02/2021, 17:58) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      He is nothing like as bad as Gus - that man was awful - and I am not surprised that so many people dislike the comment.
  • Hrmph (23/02/2021, 09:04) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    If the Governor, who is responsible for the police, required the police to enforce every law - even against belongers - then we might change the culture of non compliance. He also needs to stop the drugs coming into the BVI and putting cash into so many otherwise unemployed persons pockets.
    There is no point the Governor complain about things - he is the one with the power to do something.
    • @Hrmph (23/02/2021, 09:25) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
      The Governor needs the backing and support of the people, people willing to speak up, to combat crime.
  • Backward just like gus (23/02/2021, 09:32) Like (4) Dislike (11) Reply
    I ain't heard anything about police "security curuption "but all about the community assisting the same police security curuption...now who will after the fact is known of the major curupt scandal of the force and all this money putting into it ..just a waste like pouring water in a bucket full of holes....what is this just about flexing power or pure stupidity..who is going corporate with curuption given info to the same person of the curuption....that all there does come here and try dictate our affairs...every minute investing money in the police force with no absolutely positive results then at there end of there term there blahs about how ineffective the force is the government is ...hmmmm. t
  • cay (23/02/2021, 09:34) Like (1) Dislike (26) Reply
    The governor is up to no good
  • resident (23/02/2021, 09:40) Like (21) Dislike (7) Reply
    Once again we benefit from the UK's supervision; first the vaccine now the extra resources, presumably from outside the BVI, so untainted by any local issues to stop us turning into a failed state. Thank you UK!!
    • FreugUK (23/02/2021, 10:26) Like (0) Dislike (36) Reply
      Who more corrupt than the UK? They have no good plans for us. They want our land, our houses we worked hard for. They want to practice apartheid here. But we are waiting on them. One big rock in them Makazeema. Let them start.
  • @residency (23/02/2021, 10:00) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply

    Benefits from uk ..first the vaccine...try go sit down of it wasn't for fahie and his administration keeping us safe ur #@$ and all would be corvid positive even that ungrateful one who feels he could of go and come with out checking in aquritine for the appropriate time to be safe us and his own ass...$@# ....THANK YOU AGAIN THE HONORABLE ONE .....

  • @@resistance (23/02/2021, 10:04) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
    Yessa u rigth...vaccine lol wat that do for us ? The vaccine come in a time wen we only had wat how many cases 5
  • @residents (23/02/2021, 10:10) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Dont worry time is changing like in the USA for UK for verge of having a black prime minister is ahead and will soon see real supervision like the great Obama...
  • Challenger (23/02/2021, 11:07) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
    so previously it was voiced that there should be a black govenor and that would change everything..( not actually a BV Islander).
    ask Bermuda how that has changed anything.
    they have the first female govenor who is also black.

    i was just reading an article in VINO about the bermuda govenor...and they in bermuda are saying how nothing has changed....she represents UK just like all of the white male govenors.
    so to get change...we need self govenence.....nothing less

    respectfully submitted




  • Ayo (23/02/2021, 14:11) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Ayo some racist MS signed a white belonger
  • Tan I am (23/02/2021, 14:31) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Resistance,as evidenced by past and recent behaviour,comes from the top. We the people are
    not understanding or perhaps we the people are afraid of the real truth.
    Do what must be done UK and may the forces be with you.
  • Love for My Country (23/02/2021, 14:59) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Governor while you are it, get the police moving on solving the many armed robberies that have been taking place lately. The robbers are brazen while the police seem to be very relaxed.
  • Real Talk (23/02/2021, 15:02) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    So a Caucasian dead and all of a sudden governor speaks,no expense spared didn’t hear that for the countless murders since the lockdown
    • Well (24/02/2021, 10:36) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      What Caucasuan ? When ? WHERE?
      Are you referring to the one of very few Middle Eastern Muslim residingi in the Christian dominated miniscule VI and with a sketchy and vague background found dead gangland fashion in the waters of the VI where guns, drugs, and human trafficking is an industry not publicly acknowledged ? He not Caucasian and neither was Jesus .


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