BVI News

Police exploring more CCTV surveillance for BVI ‘hotspots’

Not the exact cameras mentioned in the article.

Police Commissioner Mark Collins indicated that the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is exploring the prospect of more CCTV cameras across the territory following a recent double murder in Huntums Ghut.

In an interview on the Cut Deep talk show, Collins told host Cindy Rosan that the territory remains “one of the safest places to live, work, and visit.” However, he acknowledged the existence of organised crime networks within the BVI and the potential for retaliation within these groups.

Collins revealed that the RVIPF is currently operating a fibre optic CCTV network with funding for 70 cameras on Tortola. However, he expressed the need to reassess the placement of these cameras in light of recent events and emerging hotspots like Huntums Ghut.

“We certainly need to look at that, and we need to look at bidding for some more funding for more cameras,” Collins stated.

The recent double murder has heightened concerns about safety in the territory. While Collins reassured residents that the BVI is generally safe, he highlighted the dangers associated with involvement in criminal activities like drug and firearms trafficking.

A series of robberies and deadly events in recent months have prompted calls for increased security measures. Installing additional CCTV cameras could serve as a deterrent to crime and aid in investigations.

Meanwhile, the top cop stressed the importance of providing young people with meaningful pathways to deter them from criminal activity. He also mentioned that Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley is keen on developing an anti-crime strategy.

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19 Comments

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  1. THAT'S ALL says:

    HE NEED TO INSTALL MORE POLICE ON OUR STREETS

    Like 15
  2. maria louisa varlack says:

    that is definitely an area for The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force to focus on in The British Virgin Islands. There is too much media exposure of The British Virgin Islands and this is increasing and opening doors criminal activities such as drugs and guns and crime and violence coming into the territory of The British Virgin Islands

  3. All talk says:

    I wonder what made the huntums ghut shooting so special cause how many others were gunned down before. Also, law enforcement seem to forget the victims after a few months SMH

    Like 6
    Dislike 2
    • & ALL TALK says:

      Here’s why they’re focusing on Huntum’s Ghut….

      Police Officers need to patrol Huntums Ghut and the hill heading up towards Great Mountain.

      Gun shots are heard on a regular including after midnight.

      Instead of going house to house put up CCTVs in these areas.

      Scooter riders have fired guns coming up that hill.

      There are also cars that speed recklessly up that hill. Some of these are doctors who should know better.

      Then there’s this vehicle all after midnight going 2am waking you out your sleep revving on the hill continuously.

  4. highly irritated says:

    I get irritated when I read these types of articles. Police still “exploring” till today…strupppes. How many more of our men will die before they realize that cctv is a MUST. There should have already been cctv cameras all over this island. They (police) must be able to track a vehicle from the point of any murder to where it ends up. The island is very small, come on now, get with the programme COP and Governor, get with the programme. I am tired of reading foolishness…PUT UP OR SHUT UP MAN, COME ON NOW.

    Like 10
  5. Meet NOW Government and sign off on immediate purchase of the cameras says:

    Government officials, please take charge. Meet for an emergency council if you need. Find a way to sign off the purchase and install of double the cameras. This may not deter crime but it certainly will help you solve them. You can see where people have gone to.

    Make it free for people to import cameras so they can install them on their homes as well and businesses.

    You can’t just put them in hot spots… You need to track where a criminal has ran to after they’ve committed the crime, which area is their boat docked that they flee on.

  6. Mika Barry says:

    Put one by David A

    Like 3
    Dislike 1
  7. Good says:

    About time. Next legalize weed for all who wants to plant a certain amount. Stop criminalizing the people for a plant. The hotspots were created by stigmatizing & criminalizing a large portion of society, there was never a market for hard drugs among locals. Tourist maybe.

    The other ‘hot spots’ serve alcohol with a license.

    Like 2
    Dislike 1
  8. He says:

    The police are pay off by n***n west b and clif no nice only them two crowd paying to kill man

  9. When says:

    will they start surveilling thesegrgated white comunities?

  10. @Good says:

    Thruths be told.

    However, folks like you and i have been spreading such truths for decades, but the law nor community never budge, but stayed in their puritaical way of thinking.

    Ass a result, most European nations and America hvae long since turned the corner and are making billions from the plants as we continue to be go backwards.

    A mind, brain and foresight are to valuable tools to be wasted on puritanism.

  11. skuntington says:

    need more bluetooth honey pots, CCTV, plate readers and shot spotters deployed

  12. Invisible says:

    cameras are a better choice than CCTV cameras. Small undetectable cameras inconspicuously located in thousands of location in the BVI that are linked to the internet could provide more information than obvious CCTV cameras as depicted in the photo above.

    • @ Invisible says:

      There are discreet CCTVs that are not clearly visible like the one in the photo.

      Even if the one in the photo is used it would be a deterrent.

  13. Anonymous says:

    Cameras as the instrumemt of necessity is a forgone conclusion.
    Cameras are also a deliberate and a foregone conclusion.
    No different than rejecting the UK submarine and advanced surveillance tools at no cost to us.
    Talk talklike we are fools. These political crooks are burying our future
    with their hands on destruction of our BVI
    While hissing sweet nothings as they slither around.

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  14. WELL HALLELUIAH says:

    after years of COLDBLOODED EXECUTION STYLE KILLINGS , are just beginning to realize what the people have been begging for years should have been done years ago before we had these amount of unsolved murders that we have today and its still climbing on a monthly / yearly basis

  15. Real says:

    More cameras to do what infringe on your privacy more stop being gullible the only crime need focusing on is them same corrupt UK cops all a them building big houses but yet locals can’t even get a loan this place already sell out

    Like 1
    Dislike 2
    • @ Real says:

      You do realize that when you travel to the USA and elsewhere there are CCTVs everywhere right?

      The traffic lights can zoom in and take your license plate as well as your photo and there’d be a ticket issued if you’re in violation.

      Like 1
      Dislike 1
  16. Really says:

    I’m pretty sure you shouldn’t be doing private stuff in public.

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