More police services needed in Second District
Amid an uptick in serious crime in his constituency, Second District Representative Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull has bemoaned a shortage of police personnel working in the district.
Speaking in the House of Assembly recently, Turnbull said the police station in Cane Garden Bay has been operating from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm everyday. After those hours, he said residents have been advised to call the West End Police Station.
Turnbull said the limited hours of operation is bad for residents and also makes no sense as his district has communities frequented by tourists.
“We have seen where the police station has moved from being open to being closed and being told by Commissioner after Commissioner that this is decision they are making from a philosophical standpoint. And if anybody from that community calls, they have to call West End, which I understand is now operating from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. After these police stations close, what are the people supposed to do?” Turnbull questioned.
He added: “There have been a number of burglaries and near death threats that we cannot afford. Premier, if we are the ones putting the money to ensure that the Royal Virgin Islands Police receives what they need, we cannot allow them to dictate to us how policing is supposed to happen. We need to ensure that our people — residents, Belongers and tourists alike — feel safe.”
The issue of inadequate policing services has been a longstanding issue in the Virgin Islands as the police force, like many other public bodies, continue to contend with staffing challenges.
The cry for greater security presence in communities have grown louder with a visible increase in the number crimes reported in communities throughout the Virgin Islands.
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The Police suppose to protect and serve
More Police presence needed throughout the Island. The larger the Force, the least sighting of Police Officers. Do they all have Desk Jobs? This is really alarming and concerning. Then again, some of them aren’t fit to be called Police! The senior staff needs to get these people out and on the streets and let them know what their priorities are and not intimidating or harassing citizens but protecting and respecting to ensure trust and security.
A police constable only acts on instructions from senior officers. Maybe , you need to get rid of those incapable senior officers who have no clue in running a force. If you have seniors who came up the ranks and was never active or proactive as a constable but, was rewarded by being promoted because, they were simply in the police force for a long time. Then what do you think is going to change when they get on top ?
Ridiculous. Big old park in west end and you telling me the police office right across from it closes at 4:30pm?
Damp get those undercover officers on the job from snooping around if this is how low staffed we are… such a shame. This shows me they have no concern for the safety of our communities.
They want to police us to oppress us and feel big oh yea and get those big undercover cop dollars.
Its not about protecting us when politicians have to go public that the fudging police station closes at 4:30pm
Hey criminals yah hear that??? free reign after 4:30!! Logically they want you all to do the bike burn outs in front of the stations after 4:30pm or before 8:30am!
Wow is this place a joke but it does not have to be. Cane garden bay is the tourist hot spot. Get it together!
Seems the governor is not living up to his responsibility.
Police gets the sixth letter of the alphabet grade..so Sixth letter of the alphabet them.
Mitch
Call the DCP i/c Operations and ask him how that came to be. Practically D1 & D2 police stations closed down in 2023 when Eukraine China and Russia are at war with the US.
Just call 311.
When the police taking down these same wannabe ganster youths , U all hollering out these islund police only harassing the youths that are entitled and born her , and when them doing their execution style murders u all protecting them because of family ties , so there is two sides to the coin , the youths are on drugs ( coke ) and they have sub machine guns and ain’t afraid to use them / the execution style killing in fish bay is an example , and the people were outraged because the video was exposed ( how many people were taken out since ? and
the killers are known , but it’s a family thing , and they are protected ● , so if that is not encouraging the youths to get more bold or brazen for their bragging rights on the streets ~¿~ then we all Are in for a rude awakening in the holy land