Organised crime still a concern – Mather warns
Organised crime remains a concern in the Virgin Islands despite the territory’s overall reputation for safety, according to Territorial At-Large Representative Stacy ‘Buddha’ Mather.
Speaking during a recent public address, Mather acknowledged the Virgin Islands is “one of the safest places in the world”, but he cautioned that “concerns about organised crime and the efficiency of law enforcement persist.”
He argued that there is an urgent need to reform the criminal justice system.
“Improvements and reforms are needed to enhance oversight, transparency and the modernisation of our criminal justice system,” Mather stated.
Mather called for the National Security Council to be given a stronger role in coordinating public safety across the islands. “We must strengthen and empower the National Security Council to play a central role in coordinating our safety efforts across the Virgin Islands,” he explained.
Among the solutions he proposed were increased investments in community policing, which he said would help “foster trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the communities they serve.” He also urged for the modernisation of laws to ensure “all law enforcement agencies are held to the highest standards of accountability and professionalism.”
He emphasised that the territory’s approach to public safety should not only focus on policing, but also on preventing crime and supporting rehabilitation. “Our approach to public safety must prioritise both crime prevention and the rehabilitation of offenders,” he stated.
Mather also highlighted the need to allocate adequate resources towards crime prevention and reintegration programmes, particularly for repeat offenders and vulnerable youth. “By allocating adequate resources to these areas, we can create a comprehensive strategy that not only deters criminal behaviour, but also offers meaningful support and rehabilitation, especially for repeat offenders,” he said.
“Youth represent both the most vulnerable and the greatest potential for positive change,” Mather added. He encouraged investment in “targeted programmes and interventions” aimed at steering young people away from crime.
Mather’s comments echo longstanding concerns within the territory about organised crime, which were highlighted in the 2022 Commission of Inquiry report and have been revisited in successive House of Assembly discussions.
The first-term legislator urged the government to take decisive action to modernise and implement these crime-fighting strategies before challenges become more difficult to reverse.
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The real organized criminals are elected Government!
Who is Northam and when are they going to finish the Hodge’s Creek road? This is ridiculous!
What a travesty and not a head has rolled as a result of this failure. The minister (Rymer) needs to be held accountable for this blunder! NOW!
What is the status of DDM (Fort KNox)..?
And ayo want Very Inept Persons (VIP) back in for another 4 years? Madnesssssssssssss
All 13 elected officials are frauds. Get all of them out
yeah when yall take greedy bill but talking about crime all ayo ms need go jail
Only the members of the house in 2019 benefit from the greedy bill.
Is he speaking of all organized crime within the Territory or only where blacks/locals are involved? The million dollar yachts and dive boats aren’t BVIslander owned boats/businesses but float under the radar with little or no scrutiny.
But on the whole they are not paid for by drugs money or used to smuggle drugs.
Neither arre they murdering each other or are they the contributing tutors to Balsum Ghut spillage of the excess habitation scums at the facility.
He also urged for the modernisation of laws to ensure “all law enforcement agencies are held to the highest standards of accountability and professionalism.”
hmm, just Hmm
Now we are talking. All this chatter about “gun violence” as if we have a safety problem in the BVI has been on my nerves. We have a drug trade problem. Affecting not just the youth but those who are in their pockets. Andrew Fahie was not the only culprit. Let’s stop with the political rhetoric and begin to talk sense.
I want the BVI Government to allow citizens to own firearms. If none of the potential candidates speak on this topic – not my vote!
Tired of being held like a hostage where I cannot defend myself, family and property from potential threats!
Crime is about the only thing that is organized in the BVI
The most effective thing we could do to improve the criminal justice system in the BVI is the fire the DPP.
Mather is for the people. He has the most potential & drive to represent honestly.
There is nobody in this territory that has put as much time, effort and heart into the youth. He is genuine and good.
We going really see if it’s a concern when festival starts. I’ll be listening to what the songs got to say to our youths and how our local artist carry them selves lol