Police meeting in Long Look following murders

Commissioner of Police Michael Matthews has announced plans to host a community meeting next week Monday (January 16) in the Long Look community, which has experienced two murders and an attempted murder within the past three months.

There also have been a number of robberies in the Vanterpool Estate/Long Look areas, as well as other communities on Tortola.

Commissioner Matthews today noted that, while the spate of robberies has not been limited to the eastern districts, he has chosen to begin with the Long Look community because it has been impacted by the ‘most recent and tragic incident’.

In that latest incident, a gunman last Friday night fatally shot Franklyn Fahie at his bar in Long Look. Estavan Jefferson was shot dead in the community on November 17 last year, and David ‘Moony’ Springette was the victim of an attempted murder near The Stickett in Long Look on December 12.

Commissioner Matthews, ahead of the meeting next week, underscored the importance of a strong response to the upsurge in crime.

“I am hoping that many will come out to attend this meeting – not just those living in the eastern districts, but all those interested individuals, groups, businesses and organisations who want to be part of a territory-wide response to target this wave of violent crime. It is so important that the members of all our communities understand our response, the part they have to play, and be part of the solution rather than sit on the sidelines and read headlines,” the commissioner further said.

“This is your community – Don’t let others speak for you. There is so much more to be gained from engaging and being part of the solution. It will take all of us putting our heads together and our feet to the ground to preserve the way of life enjoyed here in the territory. So I invite you to come out and meet with me.”

The commissioner expressed hope that the meeting on January 16 will be “the first of many meetings to mobilise the community with the necessary information to act, and unite the efforts of both police and the community in putting pressure on the perpetrators, and ultimately bringing them to justice”.

The meeting at the Stickett on January 16 will start at 6:30pm.