Armed robberies ‘major concern’ for businesses, says BVICC
Chairman of the BVI Chamber of Commerce (BVICC), Sinclair Flemming, has described the recent rise in armed robberies as a “major concern” for businesses, warning that the incidents are undermining confidence among business owners and employees alike.
Speaking on the Talking Points radio programme, Flemming said the Chamber had already raised the issue with Governor Daniel Pruce and Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool before a series of recent incidents occurred.
“It is a major concern because actually we had meetings with the Governor and the Acting Commissioner on the 12th and then they had that big armed robbery a week later,” Flemming stated. “Since then we’ve been seeing two or three more, to my knowledge, around the country happening.”
Flemming said business owners are increasingly worried about how the crimes could affect their operations and future investments.
“The businesses are very concerned about how to operate, how much more to invest, if they want to stay in that type of business or if they’re taking on too much risk,” Flemming said.
He noted that many businesses are family-run enterprises where relatives and employees may be exposed to danger while carrying out their daily duties.
“Some of these things are family businesses. You have your daughter working inside the business late at night, your wife — unsafe,” Flemming stated.
Challenges retaining and recruiting staff
According to Flemming, the effects of robberies extend beyond the immediate loss of cash or goods. He argued that businesses also face challenges in retaining and recruiting staff after violent incidents occur.
“Now your staff ask questions. So now you’d have to provide extra security or you yourself have to be the security.”
Flemming also expressed concern that robberies appear to be occurring in a wider range of locations than before.
“The problem that we’re having now is these things used to happen in certain communities around the BVI,” he said. “It’s seemingly happening anywhere, and it seems to be on the rise.”
The Chamber chairman’s comments come amid heightened public discussion about crime and public safety in the territory. In recent months, several businesses have reported armed robberies, including incidents carried out in broad daylight. Police have repeatedly appealed for public assistance as investigations continue.
Flemming said the recent incidents should prompt greater attention to the issue.
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Nothing changes unless the people themselves start to do something
Dont worry festival coming up where the loud speakers will be blasting songs with lyrics about gangs,drugs,sex,violence, and fast life to the same crowd who condone and support that kinda life
the youths will be in full blast smoking, dressing like thugs, drinking underage, minors dressing half naked all that good stuff that comes with promoting and supporting that life style but hey them say thats new culture i guess….
is all fun and games to wear ski mask in jueve until one pull up on you with ill intentions
stop glorifying criminality!!
we is hungry
Who ever typed ‘we is hungry’ should be ashamed of themselves. That type of short-sightedness destroys communities and the future of a nation and future generations. When we attack ourselves (that’s what armed robberies are) we destroy our own economies, job opportunties for ourselves, our children and grandchildren. It is the same as taking a gun and shooting yourself in your foot because you want to get a fly off. The immediate need of getting the fly off is met, but you have destroyed your foot in the process. Then those same types of persons will be upset when businesses close, unemployment rise and job opportunities for themselves and their children are gone. My people please wake up and stop the gansta nonesense you are destroying yourselves and opportunties for future generations.
Yall still not learning… you are only as strong as your weakest link. There is a wide class divide.
If the poor have to watch the rich eat you will naturally develop crime. There is a lack of gap filling for those that are not in a position to make it on their own.
It is easy to condemn but it takes more understanding to see the cause of the problem and then eventually a solution.
Ralph T. O’neal once said “you can’t eat all, you atleast have to leave some crumbs on the table” This is social intelligence and our current leaders lacking in that area.
The BVI has become a wild west like St Thomas
we are not cracking down on Guns, drugs and all the related things.
its simple search cars and scooters every day, confiscate vehicles if anything illegal is found, change the law.
bring in UK Police right out of academy to be here for 6 months, then there is no favoritism!!!
the Officers we have now do not dare intervene, they wont stop a scooter with no plates or a truck that is clearly illegal.
police does nothing about the drugs on the street being bought or sold. If we do nothing we will become St Thomas or worse.
if you commit a crime big or small it must have consequences , it does not now!!