People can feel safe at Festival – Hodge Smith
Despite public concern about rising gun crime in the territory, Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture Luce Hodge Smith has assured residents and visitors that the Virgin Islands remains a safe destination, especially during the upcoming August Emancipation Festival.
Speaking during a live broadcast of Virgin Islands Voice, Hodge Smith addressed the recent spike in gun-related incidents and called for peaceful conflict resolution.
“One gun crime is too many, and we have had quite a bit of gun crimes in our community, a little too often,” she stated.
Still, she maintained that the territory is generally safe and continues to welcome tourists and returning Virgin Islanders.
“We are a relatively safe community, nothing to have persons who want to visit our country or our territory for vacation or to do business, that they need to be that fearful. We welcome them, and I think that, you know, they could still feel safe coming here,” she explained.
Addressing safety during the Emancipation Festival, scheduled from July 25 to August 9, Hodge Smith said robust security measures will be in place as in previous years. “We do have security measures in place, and we have the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force who actually are on the site in the village, and they’re also private security personnel who give extra security services to ensure that we do have a safe festival,” she stated.
She noted that unless specific threats are reported, the usual level of security will be maintained. “We don’t necessarily feel that persons will feel threatened unless there is a threat that’s brought to our attention,” she said.
The festival, which celebrates the emancipation of enslaved people in the Virgin Islands, is one of the territory’s largest cultural events and a key attraction during the traditionally slow tourism season. Hodge Smith encouraged residents and businesses to participate fully in the celebrations. “Festival is for everybody. It is one of our major, significant historical and cultural events that we celebrate,” she said.
The Junior Minister urged persons engaged in various forms of violence to “Put the guns down”.
Hodge Smith said the August Festival will feature a series of events across Road Town, East End/Long Look, and Carrot Bay, highlighting local talent while remaining mindful of budgetary constraints.
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festival ended badly. The same homicide could happen at any Caribbean celebration with thousands of participants and inadequate security.
The operative word is Caribbean Celebration. A true reflection of who we are and rightfully perceived as a people in the Caribbean Island chain.
One and only one demographic is to date,solely and actively responsible for the unrelenting Black on Black Massacre of individuals,family structure,education in the Caribbean. Hence,an easy fix.
The BVI could start with securing its borders and work in sincerity with the USVI in preventing and apprehending illegals… human cargo,illicit drugs guns and amunition. Or perhaps a preference
of intervention by the current US Administration is tops on our death wish.
Do Better BVI !!! It matters for our survival. The Dominican Republic is a noway. Mind the Company we keep.!!!
Y’all really don’t understand the type of characters festival does attract….
Not the best type…
Especially after west bank died recently them loose goons going be looking for who ever they believe did it and if them at festivals grounds lash for every body
Festival, party’s , clubs and bars mainly attract
Smokers
Gamblers
Self degrading womens and young girls
Thugs
Drug man
Steetman
Gangsters
Pedos
Cheaters
Rappers etc
But yea have fun and always look over your shoulder
Safe? This west end lady is really out of touch. A failure at festivals now the minister…. We really slack with our X
@Lucy…yuh mudda
REALLY, you can not assure anyone can feel safe!
Just look at the news headlines JUST this week!
Nyron Erickson gunned down in West End
Armed and dangerous | ‘Small Brent’ wanted for murder
Bar owner arrested after wounding American tourist
Police investigating another Sea Cows Bay bar robbery
Ministry condemns student attack on ESHS teacher
Just saying!
I not going this year, sadly. Don’t feel safe