D4 Rep proposes neighbourhood watch in constituency

Amid the recent uptick in crime in Road Town and surrounding communities, Fourth District Representative Luce Hodge-Smith has announced plans to implement a neighbourhood watch program in her constituency.

Hodge-Smith announced the initiative at a community meeting held last evening, July 10, to update constituents and stakeholders on completed and upcoming projects within the district.

The first-time legislator is now requesting volunteers to join the program, urging constituents to look out for their community and neighbours.

Along with the neighbourhood watch, Hodge-Smith introduced other initiatives such as a Community Health Committee and a Beautification Committee. The Community Health Committee was proposed by Dr. Natasha Frett, who hopes to raise awareness about common ailments in the community and help vulnerable individuals who do not have access to a support system. The beautification project, headed by the district, seeks to visually enhance the area with the help of community members.

Works done in the district

Hodge-Smith, who was elected into office on the governing Virgin Islands Party ticket in April 2023, also highlighted the public infrastructure work being done within the district.

She noted that one of her initiatives includes covering a ghut near the softball field in her constituency, explaining that this was something she was anxious to do even before she got into office. “It also provides a little parking for people who want to attend softball,” she explained.

She also spoke of the ongoing road works on Joe’s Hill, which were said to take six weeks, to allow for easier vehicle passage and to prevent damage from storm waters when it rains. Additionally, she mentioned widening the sidewalks to prevent further injury to pedestrians and her plan to have the Sunday Morning Well enhanced before the festival season.

Community concerns

During the meeting, members of the community raised concerns about various hazards around Road Town, including the parking of derelict vehicles and obstructed roadways. They noted the lack of police presence in the area, with one member stating there are barely any patrols in Road Town. Hodge-Smith assured the community that the neighborhood watch is meant to help address some of those concerns.

Meanwhile, Works Minister and Fifth District Representative Kye Rymer was also present at the meeting. He discussed a new post-Commission of Inquiry (COI) policy that allows district representatives to pursue smaller projects within the community after being assigned a modest budget.

Discretionary funds to assist constituencies were previously given to each district representative, which they could easily access without going through the formal processes within the government. However, the COI put a stop to the allocation of these funds, making it more difficult for leaders to help constituents and forcing them to account for every dollar taken from the government’s coffers.