Governor rejects claims of losing control over crime
Governor Daniel Pruce
Governor Daniel Pruce has rejected suggestions that he has lost control over the security situation in the Virgin Islands, insisting that law enforcement agencies are working hard to tackle rising crime and maintain public safety.
During a press conference at Government House on Tuesday, Pruce addressed questions about recent prison escapes, robberies, and gun-related offences, describing the challenges as part of an “evolving” criminal landscape across the region.
“You may choose to characterise it that way. I think the reality is that across the board, all agencies that can contribute to the security and safety of the islands are working hard to achieve that,” Pruce stated.
He added that the scale and complexity of crime were changing, but maintained that “every effort is being made both within the Virgin Islands and in partnership with other territories and security partners to respond to those challenges.”
External investigations
Pruce confirmed that the escape of two prisoners, Jose Amestica and John Burgos, from His Majesty’s Prison at Balsam Ghut had prompted both internal and external investigations. “Alongside the local internal investigations into this matter with the support of the Ministry of Justice, I have commissioned a full independent external investigation into the circumstances that led to the escape,” he explained.
The Governor outlined a series of commitments arising from the recent Anti-Crime Summit, including the creation of a senior strategic security adviser within his office, the development of a comprehensive security strategy for the territory, and a new community advisory group to support the National Security Council. Plans are also underway to improve police radio communications and install a coastal radar system to strengthen maritime surveillance.
“The focus has to be [on] doing everything we can with the resources available to us to respond to the very real threats that we have and which people are rightly concerned about,” he stated.
Rising crime
Pruce acknowledged that crime levels have risen this year, citing statistics showing a 58 per cent increase in robberies, 9 per cent in serious assaults, and 15 per cent in vehicle thefts from January to September. However, he insisted that efforts were underway to address the situation through coordination and resourcing.
“The statistics speak for themselves,” he said. “We can’t wish them away. We can’t pretend they are not there. We have to recognise the challenges and work to address them.”
When questioned about calls for the transfer of national security powers from the Governor to the elected government, Pruce said he remained focused on fulfilling his constitutional responsibilities. “The most effective thing I can do is to work within the legislation and the Constitution that we have,” he stated.
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The governor and the national security council has failed terribly with addressing crime in the BVI. Quite a useless bunch.
He stands upon the mound, composed and still,
While gunfire hums through every hill.
He speaks of “strategy,” calm and grand,
But fear walks freely through the land.
Since the summit, what have we gained?
Two men escaped, two more were maimed.
A vest helped one or two survive
Else two more souls would not be alive.
He drafts his lines with London grace,
Far from the crime that scars this place.
He has his orderly, his guards at will,
While we dodge bullets made to kill.
So let him talk of law and might,
And “regional trends” deep in the night.
For though he reigns with practiced skill,
He’s safe upon the hill
while we are out here dying still.
search all them kia souls especially the tinted ones
In my opinion the Governor needs to put his foot down, remove the DPP push for stiffer mandatory sentences on gun and drug related crimes and bring in real UK help not retired officers, bring in about 20 UK officers and let them clean up the problem areas since they will not have any family ties.
Reading some of these comments are hilarious. Blaming the DPP when she cant stop crime. Suggesting stiffer sentences, meanwhile no where has stiffer penalties than the USA or UK but check their crime stats. Only Civility and psychological maturity, as well as a satisfaction for the basic human needs, can minimize crime! Hell Cain killed Abel in the perfect paradise.
When will the Government remove dark tint from Rentals, just asking for a friend.
Even in this heightened crime state the police is still invisible on the streets in in the communities. Where are they? Hiding from the criminals. How many times are we going to call for more stop and search teams. And these stop and search efforts must be coordinated to bring maximum results. For example if there is a stop and search at Paraquita Bay there should be one on the Bellevue side at the same time. Never seen a stop and search coming out of the Purcell area yet. Never, although it is a hot spot. We need active policing, not reactive policing.
The territory must move on from the scourge of colonial, neo-colonial, foriegn and ineffecive political dictatorship.
A person or entity who was not elected by the people should not be ruling the people.
It is hypocritical to call that DEMOCRACY.
Wasn’t a local Commissioner meant to clean the place up. Matthews and Collins wouldn’t have allowed this to happen.
undesirable, not a productive citizen DEPORT THEM ! UK NOW
Root corruption out of DMV.
Tinted vehicles.
Rented vehicles with no Trade Licences.
Stop crime where it starts.
Who giving these licences?
Who managing and llowing these illegal practices at DMV?
Who is the Minister responsible?
Who is the Premier responsible for the Ministers?
Who is leading the opposition that should be asking these questions?
The fact is a zero tolerance policy is required. Everybody doing what they want, when they want and then wonder where the lawlessness is coming from. WE are the problem. The police need to be out everyday stopping the illegal scooter users. Bikes should be confiscated if the riders are not in their helmets. Cars with illegal tints should be stopped and searched. Th police detectives need better training. The DPP needs to go and skilled people need to be brought in to try cases. This place is small, everybody know your business before you but nobody talking. Everybody thinks crime will only affect the next person but wait and see, it will affect us all if we don’t take immediate steps.
When a community looks the other way and hide information that they know because the information for drugs, guns, racketeering, wash money is done by family and friends
What can one man do?
Those in the jackets and tie
High heeled shors and name brand clothes are the perpetrators.
What can a white man do who the country dislikes and blames for the slavery practice of his forefathete
Spinning hisvtop in mud
a police cruiser is a mobile police station. Place them at certain locations. But all police get paid enough to figure that out.
Thats why Vanterpool cannot have the job full time – it was under her watch.