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TPP Robbery: Security beefed up & RVIPF given full access to CCTV footage

-Security audit also commissioned following Saturday’s brazen armed robbery as investigations continue
Following Saturday’s July 1, 2023, brazen armed robbery at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park (CBR TPP), a thorough security audit of Park has been commissioned as well as investigators at the Royal Virgin Islands Police receiving full access to the park's CCTV cameras. Photo: CBR TPP
The meeting primarily addressed the recent robbery at the Pier Park to ensure the safety of the park and its users and collaborate on robust strategies to enhance security measures. Photo: GIS
The meeting primarily addressed the recent robbery at the Pier Park to ensure the safety of the park and its users and collaborate on robust strategies to enhance security measures. Photo: GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Following Saturday’s July 1, 2023, brazen armed robbery at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park (CBR TPP), a thorough security audit of Park has been commissioned as well as investigators at the Royal Virgin Islands Police (RVIPF) receiving full access to the park's CCTV cameras.

This comes after Minister for Communications and Works, with responsibility for Ports, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), held an emergency meeting yesterday, Sunday, July 2, 2023, with key stakeholders in response to the incident.

The meeting primarily addressed the robbery and to ensure the safety of the park and its users as well as to collaborate on robust strategies to enhance security measures.

This audit is looking to evaluate the existing security protocols and systems in place, identify potential vulnerabilities, and propose necessary enhancements where the results of the report will be presented to Hon Rymer, as well as the Boards of both BVIPA and TPPL on July 10, 2023. 

More Security @ Park 

During the audit process, the Ministry has proactively requested additional support from the RVIPF to augment the security presence at the Pier Park and this proactive measure aims to reinforce public confidence in the areas of security while balancing guest experience, until the audit is concluded.

Present at the meeting were the Chairpersons of the British Virgin Islands Ports Authority (BVIPA) and the Tortola Pier Park Ltd (TPPL), members of the Board of Directors, the Chairperson of the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB), the Acting Permanent Secretary for the Ministry for Communication and Works, senior members of the BVI Ports Authority, Tortola Pier Park Ltd and BVI Tourist Board teams, as well as the Acting Commissioner the RVIPF. 

Plans were also outlined to support the implementation of comprehensive mitigation strategies that will ensure the utmost safety of the park and its valued visitors. 

43 Responses to “TPP Robbery: Security beefed up & RVIPF given full access to CCTV footage”

  • face it (03/07/2023, 11:41) Like (5) Dislike (39) Reply
    Are u let that backward police commissioner slow up the dope game do you know what they use to do before running dope rob and kill people for a living
    • See (03/07/2023, 12:05) Like (30) Dislike (5) Reply
      See this comment people? This is exactly the thinkset of most people here. This is why nothing will ever change.
      • @see (03/07/2023, 13:29) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
        Nothing will ever change or get better with the thinkset of most people that was released out of the cage without being properly trained. See why we are the laughing stocks? When I travel and people ask me where I am from, I never say the BVI. Ashamed of my own Country.
        • dumb (04/07/2023, 07:12) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
          You like man … wa other country you claiming than your own is thing you wan be in
          • El Demonio Negro (04/07/2023, 08:23) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
            Don't respond to @see I can guarantee that is one ugly person like fugly ugly.
    • Security Beefed up. Hmmm (03/07/2023, 12:52) Like (47) Dislike (4) Reply
      There were never any security. They were people dressed in uniform that you could never see... Then again Seems like Park management don't care about security..The things that goes on at that park at evenings and w-ends...
    • tola (03/07/2023, 12:57) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
      @face it .look like you was one of them drop on you head when you born ......
    • face it (03/07/2023, 13:22) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
      You are a prime example of ignorance, stupidity, lacking basic common sense all rolled up in one. Until your slow bush man come out of the bushes that you are living in and step in the Commissioner's shoes, shut the hell up. You all are enabler’s of the wrongs that is going on in the Territory. Nothing is going to change for the better in this place. TO MANY ENABLERS THEN THEY TURN AROUND AND BLAME THE POLICE COMMISSIONER. YOU SET OF BROKE BACK MOUNTAIN ENABLERS.
    • smh (03/07/2023, 13:23) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      People like you is exactly what TF is wrong with this country. You basically endorsing wring doing.
  • Hmm (03/07/2023, 11:50) Like (28) Dislike (0) Reply
    The should have had someone in custody already with all those cameras in town and in the area.
    • @ hmmm (03/07/2023, 12:30) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
      another unsolved crime. criminal activity in the city is rising because the criminals do not see any law enforcement so they commit the crimes and the record clearly shows they gets away with the crime
    • Citizen (03/07/2023, 12:32) Like (16) Dislike (4) Reply
      nope this is the bvi we simply don't have competent police investigators to solve crimes even when we have evidence they still can't do the job
      • Womvĝ (03/07/2023, 23:27) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        I just wonder how come they did not block off traffic and search persons coming off the park after the incident, or did they respond long after the fact?
    • @Hmm. Agree (03/07/2023, 13:10) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Or at lease have names ans proper pictures out for the public to assist.
    • Exactly (04/07/2023, 09:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      The day incompetent people actually are able to be competent, they will no longer be incompetent. These fools can't arrest someone if their face was clearly revealed. Useless
  • Unsafe (03/07/2023, 11:56) Like (23) Dislike (5) Reply
    Investors, tourists, you are not safe here. The BVI people are not even safe. For Kye Rhymer's information, having good infrastructural systems in place also contribute to better security. That's right, start with fixing the road networks.
  • bvi (03/07/2023, 12:06) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Always after the fact. Every year you can hear Police bragging about how many graduates they have, yet you can't see one officer anywhere in sight on the streets ports, or anywhere else on these islands. where are these officers at?
    • Blind Man (03/07/2023, 12:58) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      @bvi you are so right can't see them because they up and down driving around with the others instead of patrolling then again look at the recruit's they just trying to secure a paycheck not in it for the task..it's collect and hide.
      • @ blind man (03/07/2023, 14:07) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
        .. don’t forget the benifits. One male officer who is a expat told me as such.. now he is newly recruited.
    • Run Come (03/07/2023, 13:00) Like (9) Dislike (10) Reply
      You right we need more presence of the police but them security don't want the police around especially at the port because of the corruption going on
      • @Run Come.. Weak leaders. (03/07/2023, 13:17) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
        Both Port and Pier Park knew the security is no good and useless but they ignore the matter.. Now something happen, they acting like they surprised..I am so glad no one got hurt. This would have been a big Law suit for the Port. I still don't think they have the ability to fux it. They don't have the personel..And who they have can't be trained, they are stuck in their ways. Only the Police can come and make a difference . Didn't the COI reccomend a police post at all Ports. ?
        • Obberva (06/07/2023, 16:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          I see pier park and their lazy management team.now trying put gates after the robbery!!!!
  • Horse (03/07/2023, 12:07) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Has left the barn…
  • WOW (03/07/2023, 12:13) Like (18) Dislike (3) Reply
    A bit late for all that
    They probably back to St Thomas or even St Martin
    • @wow (03/07/2023, 23:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      DING, DING, THOSE TWO ARE MORE THAN LIKELY LONG GONE. IF THAT IS THE CASE, THEY HAD HELP FROM SOMEONE ON THE ISLAND FOR A CUT.
  • thank you (03/07/2023, 12:16) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Security presence is needed at Pier Park during the hours of operation. Remember the jewelry robbery about a year ago in Haven Site where two women were shot and one died? Those that was responsible were caught within and is now sitting in prison.
  • @RVPD (03/07/2023, 12:48) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    The police are a waste of time and money. Why isn't their police patrolling the pier park ,airport, waterfront ferry terminal. If you go almost anywhere you'll see a police out n walking about. With guns they don't have to go n come back . The police on this island are to soft they'll run away before they come forward
  • Donkey-holes (03/07/2023, 12:50) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    These moomoos acting like the robbers coming back there again
  • Sowande again... (03/07/2023, 13:07) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    I've been supporting the effort of the X- Premier to have all Ports under one Umbrella, One Board, One CEO, thought that was a brilliant idea.. To me the whole thing will run better, more economical to run, more profitable, more accountable... Too many bosses.. All with different views, different agendas. Good security is always a Priority at any and every port.. As a matter a fact a Port security is so crucial that part of the requirement to get a Job should be at least 5 yrs experience as a security officer or 3 yrs experience as a military officer, or a certificate in the proper protection of life and property... #Timetogetserious. COI said it.
    • @sowandea (04/07/2023, 09:05) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      No matter the training, no matter the years of experience, if someone with a gun coming after me, I am not going fly in he face without having a piece on me. Like in the shooting in Philadelphia last night, a gunman in bullet proof vest took out a set of people at a block party. The police took him out without firing a single shot. That is great, but if they had to paste his name on his arse, they had the option to use it. These thugs need to be taken out one by one
  • 911 (03/07/2023, 13:32) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    are the undercover police officers from London only up in here targeting certain individuals. with all of their expertise and can’t solve the ongoing crime……say what you want-if the commissioner of police was local lots of you would have nailed them to the cross
  • What security? (03/07/2023, 13:41) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Are you talking about MALL COPS THAT WALKS AROUND WITH A BATON WHO WILL TAKE OFF RUNNING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION TO HIDE IF THEY HEAR A CAR BACK FIRE OR THE SOUND OF A FIRE CRACKER? IS THAT THE SECURITY YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT? When and if I decide to go back to Pier Park, I will be my own security.
  • the way it is (03/07/2023, 14:57) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nothing new. We are always two steps behind in almost everything we do in this country. Lots of talk - yes; when it comes to action - no. The powers that be need to be more proactive and set things in place to avoid these kind of things from happening. It’s always after the fact. The cistern was wide open all the time and everyone knew and did nothing ; now that the child drown the race is on to cover up the cistern. Too late, too late shall be the cry. Only God can save this country.
  • Tadow (03/07/2023, 17:09) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    All of ayo in that meeting is a set of jokers.
  • lol (03/07/2023, 18:32) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    The first blogg was made by " Face it" . Nothing else to say but ask how much more IGNORANT can a human be?
  • lol (03/07/2023, 19:22) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    One of the issye is the Police allow Port authority security officers to tell them when they can and can not come unto the different Ports.
    This is bull shit. Tell me a country or island where Police can not go unto their different Ports,including, Airport and Sea Port while they are on duty.
    But when the shit hits the fan,one name is being called. The Police.
    Well call the Port security customs or immigración to investigare the crime.
    I am not a Police and is not that they are my friends but we must face reality.
    • @LOL (04/07/2023, 05:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Country or island: tortola where the cart is leading the horse
      No surprise here.
    • Concerned (04/07/2023, 07:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      If you are a Police just do your job. Know you see what happen after the fact? Stand up OFFICER, get up and STAND UP
  • saying (04/07/2023, 04:46) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    We have cat watching cheese at the ports, check and see which cat was on duty that day and check their phone records.
  • We acting (04/07/2023, 10:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I know we ain’t like to hear da truth but the only how the robberies had stop is because the drug game was running easily….now things change wha y’all think going start back…it’s the clear facts..y’all sit down n call ppl ignorant for talking the truth….the governor said it…the drug game is not getting spoken about…y’all in denial
  • gm (04/07/2023, 10:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Need aggressive policing. On the day of this robbery I traveled from the East End to the West End and back. At least five cars passed me at 100mph. Did not see a single police officer. I said to my wife, where are the 400 officers?
  • F the System (08/07/2023, 14:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This tola police system a setta joke anyways them does pick n choose wa dem wan to solve dem man a setta clown dawg n when man gah go handle them situations dem self after getting rob is all kinda story bu young ppl this n young ppl da ayo need do better be ayo big jokey mds is half the problem

    When man report thing ayo does no wa goin on an ain wan do ntn all ayo wan do is tell ppl fk buh doan lose dem right and avoid retaliation buh man ain taking tha robbery fk lightly b

    Thats y when ayo had for information about the robbery dem nobody will come forward cause ayo is joke n just like be in thing


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