BVI News

Do you know the warning signs driving youngsters to join gangs?

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has outlined factors driving young individuals, especially males, into gang involvement amid a recent notice regarding a gun-carrying group of youngsters called the ‘Money Boys’ gang.

The RVIPF identified reasons for gang affiliation, including seeking identity, protection from rival groups, and peer pressure. Economic hardship, a need for social support, risk-taking, and low self-esteem were also cited as influential factors. Negative influences from family and friends can increase vulnerability to gang recruitment, the police stated.

Families and communities are urged to monitor young people closely for signs of delinquent behaviour. The RVIPF suggested available resources such as job training, anger management programmes, school dropout prevention, and conflict resolution services. The goal is early intervention to deter gang involvement, the RVIPF said.

The ‘Money Boys’ gang reportedly consists of approximately 25 young men aged 17-25 and is linked to various criminal activities, including the recent shooting of K’zhari Stoutt.

RVIPF officers highlighted the challenges of lacking anti-gang laws, which limit arrests to individuals based on specific crimes rather than gang affiliation alone. Community members have reportedly helped gang members evade arrest in areas frequented by the gang, such as Purcell Estate, Free Bottom, and Road Town.

The RVIPF confirmed that suspects Shemoi Carey, 22, and K’Shawn Martin, 18, are wanted in connection with the Stoutt shooting. Both are considered armed and dangerous. The public is advised not to approach them and to contact the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at 368-5323 with any information.

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15 Comments

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  1. Yeah says:

    Lack of steady work

    Like 2
    Dislike 3
  2. and says:

    When you have a country with lack of things for young people to do

    Like 2
    Dislike 1
  3. Wha ayo expect? says:

    When we dont have car racing, horse racing, jet skis, malls, clubs, jobs, cinemas, summer programs, talent clubs, basketball, scholarships etc etc

    Like 3
    Dislike 5
    • Nope says:

      It’s the damn gangster rap music that they are listening to turn them stupid. Here they go bringing a bird leg criminal to do a concert in the BVI.

      Like 10
      Dislike 2
  4. A C says:

    Yes that family fat hogs bay on the list for taking out y** the mother like to put her hand in the fire for her sons she had a Jamaican man some time back she could drink she swear the whole a Tortola fear her

    Like 2
    Dislike 1
  5. J r says:

    Why ayu jealous a e**o ?? The whole family fat hogs bay jealous

  6. Smith says:

    Yes *q for mi* and Ja* he work finance they got gang people here for st kitts two a dem brothers something not surprise to see them on list

  7. JR says:

    Keep off my sons

  8. East side says:

    Yes agree the mother ain’t easy she like gossip I know her from tv the money always would run short

  9. @Wha AYO expect? says:

    You are barking up the wrong tree buddy.

  10. E. Van. says:

    Not warning signs, but the root causes. Why wait until it is seeded? Nip it early! A responsibility for all, parents, government and society combined.

    1) poor upbringing from birth.

    2) Poor educational training.

    3) Poor resources and societal focused on the male,
    forcing him to look outwardly for guidance and acceptability.

    4) To much heavy relience on an education system that no longer works, nor reaches or inspires the male, especially those with psychological, learning, emotional and other specific problems.

    5) An educational system that is 99% dominated by the female that show little to no affection to the male, and has become equally so today.

    6) The evident lack of emotional atachment for the male in home, school or the wider society.

    7) A society that places very littlevalue on the male.

    8) A society that spends moreto encarcerate him than to educate his psychological state of being.

  11. WEW says:

    Taking after their parents. (if they around)

  12. @ SMITH says:

    would you be kind enough to show us these guys O yhe list so we the innocent ones , can avoid being around them before bullets start flying and getting
    killed with them

  13. I’m quite sure says:

    The police and the public knows who they are. What they need to do is put out their pictures on the news like they do in the States. Y’all like to follow everything they do in the States so why not.

  14. Anonymous says:

    Tortola like other small islands is to small for that nonsense. The black communities are all losing their minds all over the planet. The main hub is the American rap culture.

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