Opposition legislator ‘deeply concerned’ over law and order
Eighth District Representative Marlon Penn has expressed strong concern about the territory’s law and order situation.
During his appearance on the Talking Points radio show recently, Penn said his concern comes both as an elected leader and as a citizen.
“I’m deeply concerned,” the Opposition legislator stated. “As you might have recalled, I asked for, again, that as a House, we have an idea of what’s happening in terms of the issue of law and order in our territory,” Penn stated.
Penn emphasised the importance of involving all lawmakers in discussions about public safety, even those not on the NSC. He highlighted a discrepancy between the British Virgin Islands’ high safety ranking in a recent UK report and the ongoing issues affecting daily life in the community.
“We need to have more dialogue with the police brass. And we’ve said that to the Commissioner of Police when he came before us, that we want to have a more open and transparent dialogue with you and your team in terms of how we can help to curb the situation of crime within our communities,” Penn remarked.
The need for this dialogue has been underscored by recent violent incidents, including the murder of a well-known attorney at his Manuel Hill residence earlier this week, marked by gunshot wounds. The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has called for witnesses to step forward.
This follows the largest-ever drug seizure in BVI waters earlier this month, where a joint operation involving the RVIPF and US Customs and Border Control intercepted 1.8 tons of cocaine.
The territory has seen a spate of bold crimes, including robberies, shootings, and burglaries, in broad daylight. One notable incident last year involved an attack on a prison transport van, injuring a guard.
Community response to the crime wave included a small protest and a petition to Governor Daniel Pruce, advocating for armed police patrols in Road Town. In response, the NSC has pledged to increase foot patrols in the area and announced the addition of 30 officers to the RVIPF.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
How concerned can he be when his name comes up over and over again and he definitely is in bed with known money launders? How concerned can he be?
He concerned he will get caught?
Lets get UK Officers in on a 6 month rotation.
Law and order is out of hand in the BVI.
we should all be equal under the law.
Yow Smurf remember: every rope has an end! You guys from NDP have dirty hands. As the old ppl say; whey there’s smoke; there is a fire! All ah ayo have dirty hands and acting all sanctimonious- GTFOH!!
Our government is a hawt mess and a bunch of losers masquerading as politicians. Wish more or you could be locked up for good.
Alot of the territory good officers who use to do a great Job either wasn’t treated right,retired our forced out.example look at the rvipf the system is 55yrs of age, you have to leave if you don’t make up to superintendent position and upward,or do a medical for fitness for some kind of extension.That age is still young. The force need officers with experience it’s all about fighting for position, money and other part time jobs. Immigration and customs the same Tham thing happening there. The difference in these other areas they can work up too the maximum years. Again fighting for position, you will have to sleep with one too get a position in customs. None of the departments are innocent to what’s happening. They need to work for that money they just received.
Some are talking Loud and saying nothing. Complacency has taken over many living in the Virgin Island of Tortola.
The issue with the police is putting the right people in the right places, too much personal feelings and these waste of time senior officers as they call themselves believe they own the force, crime must be up, look at who is head of crime, a JOKER, look at who is head of CID another self believed brilliant JOKER, so what do you expect, these waste of time has their own agenda. it will only get worst. Not being racist but there are reasons why most country do not welcome JAMAICANS. GOD HELP THE RVIPF.
We are headed to be like Haiti
Law and Order? He must be talking about the TV show. He fraid he going miss the next episode?
His district got more fast boats than even the West (bank)!
East is deep cartel country and even a blind man knows it.