'We should not allow fear to rule our streets'- Premier Wheatley
He made this call during the Launch and Youth Rally 2025 of the Virgin Islands (VI) Anti-Summit held on Friday, August 15, 2025, under the theme "Enough is Enough."
The Honourable Premier emphasised, "As we launch our anti-crime summit and march, I call on the entire territory—young and old, from every district and every street—to take our community back. Let us stand shoulder to shoulder, determined and united to fight crime together."
He stated that the VI should not allow fear to rule the streets, nor should it let gangs and guns dictate the future of these islands. "We will be proactive, not reactive. To those who believe they can continue to terrorise our communities, we will not allow it."
Honourable Wheatley pointed out that government action alone will not win this fight, highlighting the need for unity and vigilance.
He called on every parent, teacher, business owner, community leader, and young person to stand up and say, "This is my home, and I will not let crime take it from me."
He further declared, "With vigorous enforcement, wise investments, and a united people, we will reclaim our Virgin Islands. We will show the world that we are not defined by crime, but by our courage, community, and commitment to one another."
'The Cost of crime is too high'
The Premier added, "The cost of crime is too high. The value of peace is beyond measure, and tonight we choose peace."
He expressed his gratitude to the individuals and youth organisations who supported the event, stating, "I want you to know it's not just about who is here. Each one of us has a responsibility to reach out to someone else. Right now, there is a young person on the fringes."
He continued, "There is a young person caught between right and wrong. Individuals are trying to pull them into wrongdoing. It is our responsibility to guide them toward what is right. It doesn’t matter that not everyone is present; those who are here must become soldiers for peace and help pull everyone into that peace."
Hon Wheatley said, "We have to decide whether our will is stronger than that of those with a criminal mindset. Those who do wrong can sometimes be louder than those who believe in what is right. We must become louder, prouder, and stand taller. We must be fearless and advocate for these Virgin Islands—not just for ourselves, but for our children and future generations."
The Premier also acknowledged the work of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), under the leadership of Acting Commissioner Jacqueline E. Vanterpool.
"We are in the National Security Council daily, discussing their efforts to remove guns from the street. Those guns could have been used to rob you or take away someone you love."
The Anti-Crime Summit will take place September 24-26, 2025, under the theme: “Our Virgin Islands: Safe Communities, Prosperous Territory”.
The VI is still regarded as one of the safest Caribbean destinations, but the government is taking proactive steps to prevent crime from spiralling out of control.
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12 Responses to “'We should not allow fear to rule our streets'- Premier Wheatley”
ask the youths whats the current culture and ask them if they had a choice to pick an artist of their choice who would they bring... let them choose and research the artist they picked more than likely a dancehall artst check the songs , lyrics music videos and see wa the artist promoted in their "art" you will see why the current culture is about sex,drug,gangs and violence.... we still got local rappers with big chains coming and rapping infront the youths.... heck the dancehall artist Mali don literally big up a late well known drug man on stage and the youths went willldd.......sends a message!
remember the guy that was festival ground with a gun and police followed from the grounds to the night club? guess what hes attracted to? festival nights that is full of smoking, half naked women/minors, dancehall songs about gangs,drug,sex,violence and fast life. see where he went after festival? a nightclub! what kind of characters do nightclub attracts? do i need to read it out loud?
what does festival and fete promote especially days that ft local rappers who look like drugman and internation dancehall artist that sings certain lyrics! do yall research! or let police background check these people who coming looking to perform! oh wait yall hate police cuz that part of the culture! since no police then check these artist yall and see wa them promoting to the youths! then again some of yall who in charge loveeee the current culture hence why police was getting so much push back from working during festival! same police that took a gun from the fete! same police that got stabbed in a fight at the grounds that yall got "private security" for! same police that found a man with a gun leaving the grounds! same police that found out someone is giving primary school kids sex drugs! current culture have the youths hating law enforcement despite them having little to no interaction with them.....thats why them so unruly and someone if influencing them
our youths current culture is nightlife! sex! drugs! gangs! rum! dry humping! dressing half naked or like thugs! and ofc the result off all of this "culture" is violence! some of the youths parents are attracted to the same things so they are influenced! then there's youths who are peer pressured! so now its time to peer pressure the youths into better life choices! better future! better partners/friends! better morals and self respect!
Ever since man was created by the Creator, lust for material posessions have been the main reason criminal activities. It is well known worldwide that political deceitful manipulations have played, and continuing being one of the major roll, that fuel criminal activities, though not all.
As I wrote in the opening of this comment, so will I repeat again. The longest journey begins with the first step forward, whether it be upward to positive success or downward to negative regress.
Prove to us your words to we the people of the British Virgin Islands, if you first do so via good, and wise leadership, we the majority hopefully wiil believe you, and the challenges that confront us will fought in unity through strength. This war cannot be won adding fuel in the fire, definitely not ignoring the chiefest of all commander instructions. Talk void of humble submission is futile ignorance, and deceitful arrogance.
Take the former Premier (you know who) photo down off the HoA wall.