Police insist it’s safe to report crimes

Amid ongoing investigations into the recent murder of Nyron Erickson, the police are assuring residents that it is safe to come forward with information related to that case and other crimes in the community.

There is a general fear associated with reporting serious crimes in the BVI, as many residents believe that information may not remain confidential.

However, Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Kenrick Davis says the RVIPF has a history of protecting sources who report crimes.

“Sources of information have always been given great priority because then it becomes a trust issue and we ensure our sources are always protected. We have systems in place – which I’m not allowed to speak of – to ensure that information is secured. Persons wanting to give information may do so anonymously via the Crime Stoppers Line or call a police officer anonymously,” ASP Davis said at a press conference last week.

He added: “There are ways to pass information to the police without ever revealing your identity and I would encourage anyone to do so. It’s better to pass information anonymously than not help at all because this needs a concerted effort from everyone in the Virgin Islands.”

ACP Davis also said the police have an immediate interest in information related to Erickson’s case, but are equally interested in information about all types of crimes affecting the community.

He warned residents that it is in everyone’s best interest to report crimes, as crime and violence tend to affect even those who are not involved in wrongdoing.

“Most of the persons to whom this violence is directed are persons who are involved [in criminal activities]. But there is an extended risk to persons who may fall prey to robbery and it is something that should engender our interest,” ACP Davis explained. “There’s also a thing called vicarious trauma – which is expressed sometimes as a fear of crime. We may not be involved but because of the perception of crime, we become traumatized even though we are not directly involved. That should propel most people to want to be part of the solution.”