Security review and more patrols ordered after shooting, school fight
Officials of the National Security Council (NSC) have promised once again to step up security measures in the territory in the wake of yet another brazen daylight shooting.
The NSC met in an emergency meeting yesterday, October 9 to review an attack on an HM Prison van and another violent incident involving students and others at the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS).
A statement from the NSC said Police Commissioner Mark Collins provided an update on both incidents during the meeting. “The prison officer, who was injured, is in a stable non-life threatening condition at the D Orlando Smith Hospital, and the attack on the prison van remains under investigation,” the NSC said.
Meanwhile, the NSC said one person was arrested and police remained on campus at the school until the end of the school day after the ESHS incident.
Much like the Education Ministry, the NSC also held concerns over what it described as misinformation being spread about the incident at the high school.
“The NSC confirmed with the Ministry of Education that no firearms or other weapons were found in the possession of the individuals or on the campus, although an imitation firearm has subsequently been recovered away from the school premises,” the NSC said.
The NSC said it was aware of community concerns over the two incidents and said it was determined to support the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force in its work.
“Following the concerns of the NSC, the Police Commissioner has ordered increased patrols. Additionally, [the] NSC has requested a review of security at the ESHS to be carried out between the RVIPF and the Ministry of Education,” the statement noted.
The NSC reassured the public that the RVIPF is using every available tool to bring criminals to justice and to arrest the current trend of escalating crime. It also expressed a commitment to a zero-tolerance policy on crime.
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Chaos at the school while the Minister and the Acting CEO gone on a joy ride to Singapore that cost the tax payers 60k. There was no need for them to go and what is worse they left the day after the floods when ESHS was under water and in a complete mess. This is irresponsible!
‘National Security Council (NSC) have promised once again.’
Same patterns of insanity over and over again, yet nothing changes – wonder why?
Did the meeting address security issues at the court? Murder trials are being conducted and no armed security on site. Please address this issue before something serious happens.
escalating on Tortola. Only gun violence so far. Hope no rockets, grenades or other weapons will join the increasing criminal violence.
Not condoning ‘badness’ but the BVI isn’t any worst than it was 20 years ago, the only difference is there is a race to see who can post the most graphic and sensational bulls**t which is what causes the most panic in the Territory! The main difference between then and now is the speed with which news spreads and people have become so reckless, especially the so called ‘media’, all just to say “I was first!” Yesterday the situation with the school was a prime example. So many things happening locally and globally involving school kids/youth but nobody posts about it, but are quick to spread negativity without having all the facts. These same people on social media talking s**t all day cannot even control their f**king kids.
Bull you up PWD playing boss have your going school do the same thing like u playing bad hogbull level u good
Saw 3 police officers at the one school gate earlier. OK. So why do they have to be there butch up together in the shade standing the same place. They should be walking around inside and outside the campus walls and see what areas are compromised and what can be done to mitigate future incidents.
Commissioner please do not have your officers acting like small security guards. The way things are, this is why the criminal elements have no respect for the police. Do your job no matter who don’t like it
School violence is not an issue of security alone. Where are the anger management and mental health interventions?
Thats how the commissioner and the force behaving. Its like everyday the public calling for more street patrol. We have more police than anytime in our history and we have less visibility of officers than any time in our history. Tell me how this make sense. Only excuses we getting.
How about the BVI start enforcing laws, prosecuting offenders and penalizing those who commit offenses. Criminal justice system is a joke, nothing to be afraid of here. The inmates are running the institutions it seems. Jah help us.
WHY WOULD WE WANT TO POST OTHERS PEOPLE’S ISSUES LET THEM DEAL WITH THEIR OWN PROBLEMS / WE JUST DON’T WANT IT TO HAPPEN HERE AND IF ITS HAPPENING HERE WE GOT TO NIP IT IN THE BUD ( AKA ) EARLY STAGES / HIDING IT WON’T MAKE IT GO AWAY ~ D U H H H H
What’s funny is we been asking for the police to be more present and visible all the time and the response from the top cop has been that the police already active patrolling in the various communities as if there’s nothing else more to be done… All of a sudden something big happen now and is only now we realize more can be done promising the public this and that. If they were actually doing their best all the time how can they promise more now that something happen?