BVI News

Premier on crime: We’ve gone in the wrong direction

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has expressed concern about the escalating crime in the territory following the murder of a 20-year-old man earlier this week.

In an interview with ZBVI News, he acknowledged the societal challenges leading to crime and called for collective action to address the issue. Reflecting on the broader societal challenges, the Premier remarked, “Somewhere along the line, we as a society, we’ve gone in the wrong direction.”

The recent tragedy followed the passage of the Police Amendment Bill, which gives law enforcement additional powers to investigate and prosecute crimes. “That was just a small amendment. It was a very important amendment,” Premier Wheatley said while referencing the bill. “And it will help the police to investigate and prosecute crimes. But there is still a lot more that needs to be done.”

Dr Wheatley expressed his condolences to the victim’s family while urging criminals to “put down their guns.” He warned that those who refuse to change their ways will face the full force of the law. “For those who refuse to put down the guns, we have to make sure that the police have the power to be able to deal with them so that we don’t see any more loss of life,” he emphasised.

Highlighting the role of the community, Premier Wheatley urged parents and residents to play their part in crime prevention. “If you’ve seen something that worries you, and you think that your child is involved in something they should not be involved in, you will have to report that to the police. That same child may end up in the grave or in jail,” he cautioned.

He also called for mentorship programmes and community involvement to deter youth from turning to crime. “We can form crime watches in our communities. We can try to mentor young people before they get to the point where they start committing crime. We must be our brother and sister’s keeper,” the Premier stated.

Acknowledging the church’s efforts, Dr Wheatley said some have made commendable strides, but more can be done. “The government can do more. The police can do more. The DPP can do more. We all can do more. And we all have to collaborate and have a discussion and a conversation about how we solve this problem of crime,” he added.

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18 Comments

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  1. As you reap…. says:

    What did you expect after three plus decades of underinvestment in education and youth programs, and unfettered avarice by elected politicians?

    Like 19
  2. Clown says:

    Can’t wait to vote this cl**n out, never given solutions to problems and bit off more than he can chew with all these ministries.

    His house ain’t even in order and he trying run our country!

    Like 9
    Dislike 1
  3. FUEL TO THE FIRE says:

    SO WHY DID HE GIVE VYBES KARTEL $250,000?

    Like 20
    • @FUEL TO THE FIRE says:

      As quite as it is kept, he give more than $250.000 of the taxpayers money to bring a criminal and his Turkish woman who is going to swindle the criminal out of all his money soon.

      • @@ Fuel to the fire says:

        The taxpayers is picking up an all expenses for a criminal and his Turkish woman. The woman that is going to take everything in the end. Ms. Sidem knows how to play the game well. The mansion, the expensive cars and diamonds that they are showing off on line is just the beginning.

  4. Speaking with 2 tongues says:

    So, he invited a known criminal to motivate them? Jack I tell yo!

    Like 18
  5. Speaking with 2 tongues says:

    Yet still he invited Kriminal Kartel to motivate them further…..Jack I tell yo!

  6. Wow says:

    It’s your mentality of leadership that has us in the situation instead of reaching out you always has personal issues. Look our is in sooo much need yet you using our money to bring a criminal to intice them.

    Like 11
  7. mahlon says:

    What about all the murders in last 10 years? Who convicted? only 1.

  8. mahlon says:

    They are not going to listen. Government needs to stop and search.

  9. Ok mister manc says:

    Stop being a two tongue hypocrite will you? You took the taxpayers money and give it to a criminal. Since you like giving money to criminals, I need $800,000 to set up and pay for a criminal and gang bangers conference to be held at the festival grounds in the summer. Don’t you think giving a COUNTRY BUSH MAN YOKEL PROMOTER MONEY WHICH WILL TOTAL A MILLION DOLLARS OR MORE IS GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION? NO WONDER YOU ALL ARE CALLED SIMPLETONS AND BUSH MEN THAT WANT TO BE IN THINGS BUT ALWAYS MANAGE TO FUMBLE. STOP BEING A DAMN HYPOCRITE AND GO CHECK YOUR OVER INFLATED EGOTISTICAL WAYS AND STOP APPEASING TO CRIMINALS LIKE THE PROMOTER WHO WOULD LICK A COWS BARE A.. FOR A DOLLAR AND DRAGGING RIGHTS. SET OF DAMN CLOUT CHASERS.

  10. For sure says:

    The promoter will lick a cow bare and raw behind for a crumple up dollar that the cow pi**ed and s**t on.

  11. Haha says:

    Look how Steve ruin your chances to get premier cause you trying act cool for them, them only care bout their money they making not no tourism, which other premier so slow in the whole world?! To get catch for over 500k from a dude who selling fish and flop 9.99 of the last 10 events he throw?!

  12. ? says:

    The man is a genius!!!!!

  13. Again says:

    The biggest criminals in our country is YOU politicians

  14. To late says:

    Why you politicians don’t have community meetings with your constituents to hear our cry. Only when s**t hit the fans you politicians come trying to say s**t

  15. Gen Alpha says:

    Easier to let the young hoodlums kill each other until they are all dead or incapacitated for life. Now is the time to take the lead with the next Generation of Beta kids so they grow up respecting education and learn how to make an honest living during their crime free lives.

  16. LMAO says:

    And guess what? The swindling clout chasing promoter is going to walk away with the rack. Look how the Premier got roped into something that is going to hurt him/career. Bad move Premier, you should have never given away the taxpayers money to a promoter clout chaser. It should have been the promoters responsibility to pay out of his own pockets or fund raise. The promoter want to sip champagne and eat caviar while he is on a kool Aid budget.

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