RVIPF cites lack of anti-gang laws in BVI as gang violence escalates
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has highlighted challenges in arresting individuals solely based on gang affiliations due to the absence of anti-gang legislation in the territory.
On Tuesday, November 12, the RVIPF alerted the public about the “Money Boys” (MB) gang, linked to various criminal activities, including the recent shooting of K’zhari Stoutt. According to the RVIPF, the gang comprises approximately 12 men aged 17 to 25 spread across several communities, with members reportedly possessing unlicensed firearms.
“Without anti-gang laws in the British Virgin Islands, our ability to prosecute individuals based on gang affiliation alone is limited. Charges can only be preferred when specific criminal acts by individual members are identified,” the RVIPF stated.
Over recent months, the RVIPF has intensified efforts to curb gang activity, leading to several arrests, firearm and ammunition seizures, and the recovery of stolen goods linked to gang members. However, police noted that these gang members evade arrests with help from individuals who are either complicit or passive about gang activity in their neighborhoods. Gang hotspots identified on Tortola include Purcell Estate, Free Bottom, Baughers Bay, Road Town, Huntum’s Ghut, Greenland, and Long Look.
In response to rising gun violence, Detective Chief Inspector Davis called on communities to take a stand. “It is vital that we work together to remove this threat to peace and safety in our neighborhoods. The safety of our young people and our community depends on everyone’s commitment to saying NO to violence and criminal behavior,” Davis stated.
Earlier, the RVIPF confirmed that a flyer showing the names and photos of Shemoi Carey, 22, of Huntum’s Ghut, and K’Shawn Martin, 18, of Sand Box Road, identifies them as suspects wanted in connection with the shooting. Stoutt, who underwent surgery, is now in stable condition as the search for these suspects continues.
The RVIPF warns that the suspects are considered armed and dangerous. Individuals are urged not to approach the suspects and to contact the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at 368-5323 with any information.
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What bvi coming too yall seen the pictures of the gang targets that scary my neighbor son on the list I don’t know if I should move out for my safety
They have my nephew face up on it but I will do for them tell them come set of soft goofies
Your Nephew ain’t no saint! EVERY face I see on that list is definitely a troubled youth.
People like you is who give the power, could never see what they doing wrong and cry the loudest at their funerals!
If you want make noise, make noise in he ears when he’s still alive and free!!
The hit list already going around I got it this morning on WhatsApp
I see two brothers on that list from fat hogs bay one of them had beat up my uncle for no reason I don’t feel bad for them the mother ain easy she could drink, Gret** probably turning in she grave
They been waiting on him justice for e**o
e****o get the same karma he pushed out not like he wasnt responsible for taking souls out here as well..
if it was a WSI hit list i would have been more worried about it not a thing going come out of these..cause out of all of them young men they on the road everyyyy day at every lime always on thier blocks
This is really concerning. In BVI we have obviously had lots of drug gang activity for years; much of which has been sanctioned/participated in by people in power. The good thing about that was that unless you were in that world you were pretty safe; and acquisitive crime like burglary and robbery was fairly unusual.
That made BVI a safe place for respectable people like tourists and people in financial services. If we have armed gangs of teenage hooligans doing all sorts of crime that will change. If tourists or expats in financial services get shot those two industries could be devastated overnight. We would then have the Third Pillar and farming and fishing to live on. It’s hard to see how that will sustain an annual budget of over $400m.
I went to a meeting years ago at the High School. The gang task force from St. Thomas came to explain the gang situation, and point out signs of gangs in the BVI. They showed literal pictures from gang tagging on the high school walls and other places. People in the audience said it ain ga no gangs here. Then some of them said where their children went to school ain had no gangs. Other people could name gang members in Private schools. Then there was the usual tas dem people from down islands. Gangs came here from St. Kitts, etc. etc. going to throw up now. So now we have gangs? And they are armed? And they are BVIslanders? And they have a hit list? Do tell. So what’s the name of these gangs please and thank you. Shocking beyond belief.
For any new or existing laws to matter the DPP has to win some cases
She would at least have to know what the law says, and understand it to even attempt to win a case.
gangs have been in the bvi for a very long time. there is a hidden reason for now choosing to highlight the issues of gang related crime and violence and it is for control through the illusion of security. the answer is not additional legislation!
It says a lot about a society that can turn a blind eye to the execution of an innocent child
Anti-gang laws. Hmm. What exactly should the anti-gang laws say. We have criminal laws, right? Against actual crimes and also against inchoate crimes such as aiding, abetting and the like, so what exactly they want the anti-gang laws to add that is not already covered under the criminal law? Asking for a friend.
I think the issue is not with criminal laws but with not having anti-organized crime (i.e. gang) laws. Means you can only prosecute them for crimes committed but not for being organized with the intent to commit crimes.
Go write the flipping law. Do you think the premier has a armored vehicle for nothing? WAKE UP its 2024 people can fly here n there. Drones can drop bombs and 3d printers can print guns anywhere.
We are so weak & reactive intentionally it is sickening and these are the generations of people who made it through slavery.
Island people children
WE HAD GANGS LIKE SUDAN POSSEE BEFORE, NOW WE HAVE GANGS OF THUGS IN NECKTIES
Why they quick to jump on island peoples
Stop finger pointing
The breed of the island children is half of the BVI genes pool.
From one side of indigenous men or women
There is a problem in the community work together to fix it .
No of us will
Eventually escape from these troubling situation’s
It is a shame how hate cloud out judgement to do the right thing
A country of diverse people
Gang activity can be prosecuted under these laws until the HOA passes specific anti gang legislation.