BVI News

Foreign cultural behaviours blamed for crime uptick

The BVI Christian Council (BVICC) has bemoaned the uptick in crime and violence, attributing it largely to the adoption of foreign cultural behaviours that it says continue to erode the spiritual and moral compass of society.

In a recent statement, BVICC President Bishop Paul Ricketts expressed particular concern about violent behaviour among high school students, whom he described as “increasingly entangled in acts of aggression, rebellion, and lawlessness.”

Police and elected leaders have repeatedly confirmed that the drug trade is one of the major contributing factors to the rise in crime and violence.

They say youth — particularly young men seeking to make quick cash — are risking their lives by assisting with the transhipment of illegal narcotics originating from Central America and generally destined for the United States.

However, Bishop Ricketts said the shift from a peaceful society began when the territory started embracing behaviours from persons abroad.

“About 25 years ago, our society began modelling certain cultural behaviours — particularly those from abroad — that, while seemingly progressive, have contributed to the erosion of our spiritual and moral compass,” Bishop Ricketts posited.

“We sought to emulate systems that have long struggled with their own consequences: broken families, spiritual disconnection, and violence normalized through entertainment and media. In doing so, we have sown seeds that are now bearing bitter fruit. What we are experiencing is not merely a social or psychological crisis — it is, at its root, a spiritual one,” the BVICC statement said.

The Council then issued a call for society to return to “the basics: faith, family, community, and accountability before God.”

The BVICC’s call for a return to positive values is echoed by several other leaders and members of the public.

Recently, Bishop John Cline, At-Large Representative Ronnie Skelton, Eighth District Representative Marlon Penn, and NDP member Aaron Parillon urged parents to instil positive values and attitudes in their children, calling it one of the main ways to stem the wave of crime in the territory.

They said young people need stronger role models in the home and the wider community to steer them away from a life of crime and violence.

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19 Comments

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  1. Salty Fish says:

    This entire council is made up of the most immoral, inept, and morally ambiguous people on God’s green Earth.

    Conveniently absent when guidance and truth is needed most, and then, out of nowhere arrive from the ‘said darkness’ with what they believe to be ‘sage’ like advice, that is utterly useless, socially dividing, entirely self-serving, two faced, and irresponsible!

    You all are relics of a bygone era, that need to spin around, go back to your respective caves, and do some serious self-reflection before you pull the final cord that completely unravels our fragile society!

    Like 32
    Dislike 1
  2. Wow what a Xenophobe says:

    This Paul Ricketts fails to provide better alternatives for the youth. His comments are disgusting and are no more than mindless comments from a narrow minded xenophobe. It is lack of tolerance like this which erodes society. He is the problem, not the solution, and nor is he a purveyor of truth.

    Like 20
    Dislike 3
  3. Chuch He Den says:

    Who tf are these people???? Can Ricketts tell us how many times he visited the schools and tried to talk to the children? Or how many blocks he went on to talk to the youths? We don’t ever hear from this council when voices are needed! What a complete waste!

    Like 25
  4. sad but true says:

    Badness is what we endorse! We glorify criminals in this place from head coach to west bank. We spend tax dollars to pay artists who sing about crime and violence to come here and perform, we protect people identities and play stupid when we realize something is not right or something is missing. We spoil criminal cases with improper handling of evidence and poor investigation. Then we get offended when they call us a crime haven.

    Like 19
  5. Cultural Behaviors!? says:

    child?
    Who are these church people blame them outside people on all? Spread your seed and then abandon care of child?
    This is happen right in you eyes. Pay attention. It we fault to be quiet about it.
    Parents need to be Parents. Man and wife need to make babies together. This is why everything mashed up!

  6. Sailor says:

    Repent Repent Repent the world is coming.coming to an end People

    Like 2
    Dislike 6
    • @Sailor says:

      You love pushing that European Rhetoric. It’s World without end! This world is forever and ever..stop listening to foolishness and fairytale nonsense.

  7. Oliver Closeoff says:

    That’s ok, you’ll forgive us, you have to, right?

  8. Anonymous says:

    Even though we believe we are an advanced civilization, the problems that afflict us are undeniable and seem to be getting worse by the day: proliferation of nuclear weapons, deforestation, unceasing wars, political instability, economic deprvation of the wealth creators, economic hardship, pollution, social injustice, climate change, terrorism, etc.

    In spite of humanity’s love for the theory of evolution and the cherished belief that we are evolving towards perfection, the facts prove otherwise: everywhere we look, modern society displays clear signs of devolution: widespread and systemic degeneration, decay, and decline towards destruction.

  9. EV says:

    Even though we believe we are an advanced civilization, the problems that afflict us are undeniable and seem to be getting worse by the day: proliferation of nuclear weapons, deforestation, unceasing wars, political instability, economic deprvation of the wealth creators, economic hardship, pollution, social injustice, climate change, terrorism, etc.

    In spite of humanity’s love for the theory of evolution and the cherished belief that we are evolving towards perfection, the facts prove otherwise: everywhere we look, modern society displays clear signs of devolution: widespread and systemic degeneration, decay, and decline towards destruction.

  10. WEW says:

    “foreign cultural behaviours“ it’s not just foreigners. Plenty of “locals” are in the mix. Stop always trying to blame someone else. Much of the troubles are home grown.

    Like 8
    Dislike 0
  11. tell them says:

    Say hello to the three in one in the morning noon and in the evening… complaining do not help! Prayer to Jesus who brake the gates of hell. Be careful who we pray to, their is all kinds of gods in this world the people pray to!

  12. Imported behaviours or internal blindness? says:

    It’s ironic to talk about ‘true healing’ requiring reflection, sincerity, and the courage to face uncomfortable truths—while in the same breath shifting blame onto so-called ‘imported cultural behaviours.’ Genuine healing starts with honest introspection and accountability, not deflection. Own your part before pointing fingers.

  13. THIS JOKER says:

    HAS BEEN READING TOO MUCH ON THE ” YELLO SITE ” BECAUSE ITS ALL ABOUT XENOPHOBIC AND RACIST NARRATIVES THAT THAT RACIST SITE PROMOTES AND THE WANNABE JUDGE JUDAS DELIGHTS HIMSELF ON HIS THRONE AS HE DISHES OUT HIS DAILY GARBAGE / SO THIS JOKER HAS BEEN SWALLOWING EVERYTHING THAT THE EGOTISTICAL NERD SH*TS OUT FROM HIS FRONT AND REAR END •

  14. BuzzBvi says:

    Blame the Parents!
    It is they that give us these so called Christian council people.
    Xenophobic hatred and love for Fahie.

  15. Moral says:

    Um the big issue is a growing number of single parent household cus everybody not putting much thought into their partner’s before laying down and getting baby

    Baby born single home to no guidance or decent parental figures then end up being problem kids at school from young straight intro adult hood rinse and repeat from there

    People celebrate baby showers no ring on them finger

    Heck some of them got ring but picking up people with standards matching a garbage bin then wonder why the marriage ain last

  16. Ausar says:

    You see, Mr.Ricketts, your last name doesn’t suggest ancestrality, in the sense of Belongership

    Perhaps, I’ve mistaken identity

    Nonetheless, are you talking about persons like yourself and others, not born here and their cultural milieus

    You see, it is these types of conversations that causes division among the people

    If we were to all marry our own, we would all do so, with our siblings, uncles, aunties, and so forth

    A country must embrace others, and their differences!

    The world can now be seen, on a television screen, in a matter of seconds!

    We’re no longer living, in the dark ages!

    Instead of dividing the people, let’s focus on how we can use our breadth of
    experiences- different methodologies, used by different countries, and watering holes, to solve crimes!

    THIS,is what I will await, as your next pronouncement, Mr. Ricketts!

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  17. Eldread says:

    But dahh! Foreign culture is what the church is, it keeps the people poor and controlled with a end achievement of creating a criminal society, a hungry man is an angry man, they just want to live to their full human potential like the white people do.

  18. Hmm says:

    6xxx got ppl dunce.Its a Caribbean curse.

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