Questions raised over mystery surveillance cameras in Tortola
Residents are continuing to speculate about several mobile surveillance camera units recently placed in different areas on Tortola.
The units — which appear to include advanced CCTV and facial recognition-style technology — have been spotted opposite Government House, near the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex, and in the Wickham’s Cay area. Another unit that had reportedly been placed in Baughers Bay now appears to have been removed.
The systems resemble mobile surveillance towers commonly used by police forces internationally for crime monitoring and public safety operations. They are often deployed in high-traffic areas or locations considered vulnerable to criminal activity to assist with real-time monitoring and evidence gathering.
However, it remains unclear what exactly the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) hopes to accomplish with the technology or whether additional units have been installed elsewhere in the territory.
BVI News contacted the RVIPF seeking clarification on the purpose of the devices and whether facial recognition capabilities are being used. While police personnel acknowledged the placement of the units in the community, questions submitted by our news centre up to publication time remained unanswered.
The visible deployment of the towers comes as the Virgin Islands continues to grapple with serious crime concerns, including daring daylight robberies, assaults on businesses and ongoing gun-related incidents believed to be linked to the regional drug trade. The RVIPF has also been stepping up its use of technology in recent years, relying more heavily on CCTV footage and digital intelligence to assist investigations.
Still, the sudden appearance of the units without public explanation has sparked debate among residents, with some welcoming stronger security measures while others raise concerns about privacy and the level of surveillance in public spaces.
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Everybody wants crimes to be solved yet don’t want measures put in place to achieve it.
Yall aint talking when awyo family and friends wreak havoc, so alternatives need to be explored.
Hmmm… cctv cameras in high traffic areas around Tortola, I can’t imagine quite what the RVIPF ‘hopes to achieve’ with this… maybe better security and ability to investigate better
I guess the people then that keep robbing pier park catch a flight and landed right outside the parking lot…
Ofc cameras in high traffic areas is good especially since it’s one of the main point criminals traverse to do a hit and flee…..
Use Aya brain daddeh
What does the RVIPF hope to achieve? Maybe better security and ability to operate & investigate better? Let’s hear the conspiracies the good people offer up today
People who oppose this, and ask dumb questions is just dumb. Do you complain when you walk into a bank, supermarket, government offices, airport, or anywhere where there is security cameras? Many of you who is or will complain, have cameras at your home, have dash cams in your cars, and is ready to pull out your own phone to star record, no true?? So what’s the point you are trying to make? Many will NEVER report a crime, but want crime solved, especially when you, your friends or families are victims of crime. Cameras is one of the best crime fighting tool to invented. Next will be body cam for police, and FLOCK cameras along the roads, and drones overhead. If you now want security cameras, then don’t commit crimes.
So pier park should have one
It is for your protection and safety.
You people asked, bitched and moaned about cameras being installed, now that they are being installed, you out asking stupid questions.I welcome the cameras, I feel a bit safer.
This is good news!! I agree 195% with the move.
The persons who have concerns know exactly WHY they have concerns. Actually the presence of the cameras make me feel safer. I am a law abiding citizen and the surveillance cameras are a very welcome addition to the territory’s security apparatus as far as am concerned. I actually look up to the cameras and SMILE whenever I walk by one of them.
Me too, I loved k up at the camera and be like heyyy. I have nothing to hide and minding my business as I walk along. At least I know I am safe.
The public don’t need to know a darn thing. The cameras are being placed around the Island for safety reasons. Who oppose this have something to hide, don’t want to be seen or hiding something. SMILE, YOU ARE ON CANDID CAMERA.
LMAO, love it. SMIZEEEEEEE, YOUR’RE ON CANDID CAMERAAAAAA. LMAO. These days with so much going on big brother have to keep an eye on everything.
If there are no cameras people will complain, now there are cameras people want to question why are they there and when were they put there. Be Grateful they are there….Do you want the crimes to be solved or not!!.
Black people some of us will never progress in life something for safety and security for the good of the nation and public and some of you all have a problem with that hmmmmmmm politics.
Sorry to say it, no I am not going to be sorry for saying this as a black person,some of us will never progress in life and is just as dumb and will continue to stay in the dumb zone. Who get mad, suck your teeth or pitch out words, I don’t give a rats behind.
What a load of nonsense! This was in the news for how long that CCTV cameras will be installed all over the island. This article is self serving.
I am sure every good law abiding citizen computed the reason for the cameras. I do not need no explanation!!
” visible deployment of the towers comes as the Virgin Islands continues to grapple with serious crime concerns, including daring daylight robberies, assaults on businesses and ongoing gun-related incidents believed to be linked to the regional drug trade. The RVIPF has also been stepping up its use of technology in recent years, relying more heavily on CCTV footage and digital intelligence to assist investigations.”
we the law abiding citizens of these Virgin Islands welcome the surveillance cameras. I am asking the rvipf to please install more. every major intersection should have one. please install them throughout the territory. thanks again.
Put the cameras all over the Island and the Sister Islands. I feel a sense of safety. If someone put a gun in my back and try to rob me, the cameras will pick it up day or night.As a woman that get off work late at night and have to walk to my park vehicle I feel a sense of security. A bottle of mace or a taser is not going to take a picture, a surveillance camera will.
the cameras and camering because crime is criming and so we increase the surveilling to help with the prosecuting
wait til you “hear” about the use of stingrays
What is wrong with these road town people
Lets see how broad your smile is when your social credit score causes the closure of your banking in a cashless society. Most of you have absolutely no clue what is about to become your reality. Hope you are smiling when there is nothing to eat and more dead than the morgue can accommodate. Keep smiling we’re much closer than you imagine.
All I will say to you is that you are a idiot.Ain’t no one want to hear your BS. More than likely, you have something to hide and don’t want your cards to get peeped.
BVI News is having a slow news day. Why do the police have to explain anything regarding better security measures to the john public? Yo do, people complain, you don’t they complain. so ayo could go and give ayo criminal friends, children and cronies tips? St Thomas have them installed island wide to detect when shots are fired and capture an image of the suspect and his get away vehicle.
The police are happier now that they don’t have to do to much foot patrol in the hot sun, rain and darkness.
On a serious note, we need drones to be flown at lease 3 times a day everyday to capture video footages, etc.
Now we just need DPP to prosicute and get a CONVICTION once in a while.
Set one up in Cabinet meetings of the VI.