Police taking fresh approach to tackling crime in 2025
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has announced a new strategy to tackle crime in 2025 following reports of a 12 percent increase in criminal activity across the territory.
The RVIPF stated that they are adopting a bold and proactive approach to law enforcement, with a focus on modern tools, advanced training, and stronger community partnerships.
In a statement on Friday, January 31, the police force noted record-high seizures of cocaine and cannabis in the BVI. While officers continue to recover large amounts of illegal firearms and ammunition, authorities acknowledge that gun violence remains a serious threat to public safety.
“A modern police force needs modern tools and training,” the RVIPF stated, adding that officers will undergo advanced training in cybercrime, forensics, and investigative techniques to enhance their effectiveness.
Additionally, the RVIPF is expanding surveillance in high-crime areas and business districts, installing more cameras to deter property crimes and aid in solving cases.
The police force also plans to strengthen community engagement through mentorship programs, workshops, and outreach initiatives in schools and local communities. Collaboration with other agencies will focus on improving street lighting and implementing other crime-prevention measures. The RVIPF is also working closely with legislators to address legal gaps that could help hold offenders accountable.
While these efforts aim to curb the rise in crime, the RVIPF emphasized that community involvement is critical in ensuring a safer Virgin Islands.
Earlier in January, Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool reported the 12 percent increase in crime during an RVIPF press conference. The surge was largely attributed to organized gang activity, including burglaries and robberies. Despite this, the RVIPF recorded a 49 percent detection rate for all crimes, placing the territory ahead of many jurisdictions.
Detective Chief Inspector Kenrick Davis also revealed that 2024 marked the first time the RVIPF encountered organized property crime in the BVI.
In response, the police force has intensified efforts to combat gang-related offenses and enhance overall security in the territory.
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can you start by charging the ag commissioner of police for terrorizing the Josiahs Bay community for over a decade with her over a dozen dogs barking and howling for at least 9 hrs every night. no one in neighborhood can get a proper night rest after a days work.its unbearable. the ag commissioner have no regards for her neighbors.
For so long and nobody took matters into their hands? Ask the people up belle vue how they does deal with similar problems.
What happened to the gun and drug seizures we used to see!!!
The first and major approach needed to be taken right away is to elevate the current acting COP, Ms. Jackqueline Vanterpool to the COP of the British Virgin Islands.
Not to doso Governer implies many odorous reasons. Give the lady the job. She is qualified,experienced and deserves it.
YES JUDGE WIGGIE YOU GIVE IT TO , YOU DON’T NEED THE WHITE COLONIALIST SLAVE MASTER GOVERNOR , YOU GOT THE POWER ,~ DO IT , OR – PUT ON YOUR WIG AND GO DOWN BY THE GOVERNOR’S HOUSE AND SIT DOWN IN THE PARKING LOT AND PROTEST FOR HER , HOLLERING OUT BLACK LIVES MATTER / FREE THE DREW & FREE THE WEED
WHAT AH JACK WAGON. PERSON TOTALLY IN LOVE WITH WIGGIE AND IGNORANT AS A DONKEY..
Maybe they are awaiting to get law enforcing rightwhere all creeds, colore and nationalities are treated equally under the law? Have you seenin fifty years plus in this territory one single yellow head brought before a justice for anything?
In between naps taking a glance out the window.
You deserve the wonderful technology soon to be introduced world wide and already in use. Yes you need this updated system to protect this wonderful wonderful Island and give it back to the people. Let the people build for the people and get global criminality under control everywhere. BVI is the best
49% detection rate sounds nice and cosy and paints a herculean picture of the polce doing wonders. But I dare say, that if all crimes and offences are lumped together in one bag, then it doesn’t paint an accurate picture of our state of crime in the territory. I urge the police to separate the Small Charges Offences and minor drug offences from the heavy or indictable crimes and then you will realize maybe 16-20% success rate!
Boasting of 49% detection rate, encourages lazy and delinquent officers to continue their fraud. Apart from the alleged dirty cops facing Courts, only a meagre handful takes the offending public before the courts. A common practice here again is that Sargents upwards fear the drama there, because their incompetence is highlighted.