Consultants hired to develop anti-crime strategy
The government has engaged Officium Training Limited, a professional consultancy firm specialising in law enforcement and community policing, to help develop a national crime prevention strategy.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said the move follows the territory’s first-ever Anti-Crime Summit, which took place from September 24 to 26 at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex under the theme “Our Virgin Islands: Safe Communities, Prosperous Territory.”
“After weeks of careful planning and in my capacity as Premier and member of the National Security Council, I was honoured to witness the successful launch of the Virgin Islands’ first Anti-Crime Summit,” Dr Wheatley said. “This summit was never intended to provide every solution in three days. Instead, it marked the start of a sustained national conversation on crime and public safety.”
He said the summit gathered input from government agencies, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, His Majesty’s Prison, faith leaders, NGOs, and community members to shape a comprehensive national crime reduction and prevention strategy.
According to Dr Wheatley, Officium Training Limited has already begun converting the summit’s recommendations into actionable plans. “Their team is already transforming our discussions into actions,” he stated. “The summit was not the end of the conversation—it marked the beginning of a long-term united effort to make our Virgin Islands a safer and more prosperous place.”
The announcement comes amid growing concern about violent crime in the territory. Over the weekend, a 24-year-old man was shot during a robbery at a bar in Road Town, prompting renewed calls for tougher crime prevention and better community policing. The victim, identified as Jevonte Barnes of Belle Vue, remains hospitalised.
Police said the shooting occurred when two masked men entered the establishment and robbed patrons before opening fire. The incident follows a series of armed robberies reported in recent weeks across Tortola, raising alarm among residents and business owners.
Authorities said the findings from last month’s summit will help guide policy decisions as the government and law enforcement agencies work to curb violence and restore public confidence in safety across the territory.
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Anyone realize that it’s the opposition making things happen in the BVI. If the opposition don’t say something it doesn’t happen. Wasn’t it the opposition that called for a crime strategy? There are many more examples of this.
We are hiring consultants to tell us how to fight crime? We hire consultants for almost everything. I could tell ya how to do it for free…
Don’t we already have quite a few consultants on payroll and being paid a handsome yearly salary? Are they only consultants for certain things and can they not research and advise on these simple things? They do not have to reinvent the wheel. We now have the innnttteeerrrnnneeett. Wow.
The majority needs to really think about their votes at election time. We need a consultant for everything under these young people and they are not afraid to tell us they need them. Wow. We are going to be broke with this bunch.
All we need is Mandatory Jail Time for all firearm offenses, even if just riding with someone with a gun or ammo, straight to jail for ten years.
That will get rid of all the firearms very quick!
The prison is already overbooked.
so build another one, we have the space
I want legal gun ownership. Then let’s get a range for private citizens to target practice. Safe and responsible gun owners please.
Other countries at 18 every one has to be trained. All have legal weapons and no crime spree.
I will give you an anti crime strategy, no charge. Hire the best cops possible and train them to do their jobs instead of seatbelt tickets
Legalize weed and clean the place out. Allow the police to chill everywhere in uniform! Simple. All that undercover policing and people in fear of weed arrest breaks the community trust and turn people against strangers and then you want to ask for community help.
In the interests of transparency please tell us who Officium Training Limited are and who is their local partner/representative in the BVI.
next big jam bring out the dogs use the ones for customs also seize everything
Fox in charge of the hen House. Worse if Independence gained.