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Smith slams BVI’s drug scourge, promises UK cooperation

Smith

Former First Lady Lorna Smith has bemoaned the worsening crime rate and the illicit drug trade that has been plaguing the BVI and has promised more cooperation with the United Kingdom in attempting to stamp out the scourge.

Describing it as her own proverbial elephant in the room, Smith said the BVI’s crime situation has been on the increase. “It looks to me like an increase in organised crime, and sadly not only the young people but some families get lured in,” Smith stated at a National Democratic Party (NDP) rally over the weekend.

“I say to you, gang violence and gun deaths must end. While we also ensure our beautiful country does not become a garage for the global drug trade,” Smith said.

According to the former First Lady, if elected into office, the NDP commits to working with residents, the governor and the UK “to stamp out this plague in our territory”.

She added: “We must also reach out to those young people because a strong and resilient community will resist such temptations.”

Smith described the upcoming elections as the most important in our lifetime and said this was not only because of the events which have occurred over the past two years, but also because of the poor condition in which the territory finds itself.

Among the priorities Smith promised to address once elected are the BVI’s high cost of living, crumbling infrastructure, and the poor healthcare system. She also noted that she intends to press for a more sustainable future for young men and women.

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27 Comments

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  1. All but the police says:

    You seem to want to work with all elements but the police, they are who that needs the resources, training, personnel, financial assistance and legislation to fight crime the others you just named is only for show

    Like 14
    Dislike 3
  2. Vote for me says:

    Jam today! Jam tomorrow! Jam everyday. But when I get elected, don’t you dare mention jam.

    Like 14
    Dislike 6
  3. All of a sudden says:

    Bla bla bla bla bla

    Like 13
    Dislike 6
  4. Scooter Lady says:

    It’s taken you this long to move beyond ‘noisy scooters’ to the real serious problem here, and only for election purposes too!

    Like 11
    Dislike 6
  5. Hmmmm says:

    While you are at it work with them to bring back our $8mill from that plane heist.

    Like 16
    Dislike 8
  6. Too late for that miss lady says:

    look where “HEAD” gone redickulous

  7. Jonathan says:

    Typical of those vying for office – I’ll do this and I I’ll do that if only you’d elect me. But outside of election times you will not see me or hear from me. I just can’t be bothered with you people, not even to say hello.
    Both this lady and Mr. I.B. need not apply. You don’t associate with us common people, you can’t be bothered to even say hello now you want to speak for us…. no thank you.
    One love.

    Like 16
    Dislike 3
  8. Sowande again. says:

    Lorna all the best. You have tried. You did the best you can. If you fail keep your head high…

    Like 3
    Dislike 5
  9. Mrs Tubman says:

    Thank you u for taking the selfless leap in an attempt to save the BVI from itself. The BVI is no longer what you knew. The demographic with cultures and practices has dominated to the extent that it is a merge with the worse that the Caribbean has to offer. The greed and selfish streak of one cog has orchestrated this unfortunate new Island.
    The new VI no longer
    deserves you or others remaining,like yourself to the extent that you no longer fit in and create much discomfort with the pervasive demons now invited and straddling these once beautiful BVIsles.
    I recall that during your husband’s tenure,your wedding ring was stolen from the privacy of your home by one of whom we would expect,a look alike but uninvited foreign intruder.
    That was a significant omen to our VI.
    Best Wishes Mrs Smith. Prayers for you and for these VI. May you continue to be blessed. You have given much.

  10. @All but the Police says:

    That new Police Bill if enforced will be gamechanger. Police is under c t h e UK. A UK Police Comm I sooner is installed along with UK policemen…what else?
    Who are the criminals..well,99.9 % are up de I slum folks and /their children. This includes in schools where the children carry weapons and are thugs.
    The prison is full to capacity with them.
    IMMIGRATION and DEPORTATION is where the BVI has failed and continues to fail.The policies reg arding status/belongership and the like needs a whole different outlook based on the crime statistics with the onset of mass immigration of too many that are unseemly. In its current state..,a failure and detriment to these VI. Crime, poverty, semiliteracy,along with a quality of life reduction are the results of failed immigration policies.

    Like 5
    Dislike 1
  11. Resident says:

    Lorna played a massive role holding things together for financial services after Irma. That was crucial to the viability of the financial services sector going forward.

    Luckily financial services has held up well. It’s really important to the Territory. Lorna is one of the very few public servants/politicians that understands financial services.

    Like 14
    Dislike 2
  12. Go Lorna!!!!! says:

    Lorna, your commitment to the Territory and the HOURS upon HOURS you dedicate as a volunteer to make the BVI a better place is without question – AWESOME! Thank you for being you – we need more people like you who inspire others to follow suit! You are a true leader!

    Like 11
    Dislike 2
  13. few thouhgts says:

    Lorna Smith:
    – has more energythan the average 20 yo
    – has served the Virgin Islands her entire life
    – raises$1000s for charibtale cases
    – cares about youth
    – wants the VI to be its best
    – is credible person to represent thr counrty and stand up to foreign bullies
    – understand our two pillar: financial services and tourim and will die before she see them fail and the countrygo to fields
    – rallies people to support communities
    – she plan mangroves, she run for charity
    – she live a modest life with her good doctor huaband

    I sey we need more Lornas

    Like 12
    Dislike 7
  14. AMIBYC says:

    Financial services will die without a leader that understands how ot promote our business and protect our interests. If FS fails, the Virgin Islands fail too.

    Like 8
    Dislike 2
  15. Next leader says:

    She must be the woman Claude prophesied to lead this country
    Full of knowledge and experience . She has helped to build this country . I applaude you . You go girl . You have my vote
    If the green team win , Uk will take over

    Like 6
    Dislike 4
  16. lol says:

    As much as I don’t like this lady as a pick for her political office her competence alone has me eying her for one of my at large votes.

    Like 5
    Dislike 1
  17. Shem says:

    Hot air coming out .like is only now she sees and knows than .stupes tan .go rest

    Like 3
    Dislike 3
  18. hello says:

    Your husband’s blood were causing havox in the territory all thru his times in office.. wasn’t a problem then.them pack down..so you forget.Always gonna be a game..just diff players/participants with sum old heads for direction etc.

    Like 1
    Dislike 3
  19. Worker says:

    We need Lorna in the next HOA she have what it takes to represent us. She is not too old. If she is, then Frazer and Ronnie are also too old and Lorna is more knowledgeable than the two and can articulate her points well. She is certainly a better speaker than Ronnie any day, who can be sent to England to represent us.

  20. No Apologies from VIP says:

    The VIP team has not once call out Andrew for the embrassment he cause this country
    The VIP green team has never once apologized for what their leader did.
    The VIP green team has never once address the issue of him letting them down
    Never an apology to the people of the BVI for showing faith in him in the last election and for what he did
    The shame and disgrace he caused the country nationally and internationally Sl**ande not his team address
    Only Rymer alluded to it
    How can the now Premier insult the intelligence of the VIP supporters line that
    OR

    Are they like Jim Jones followers drunk
    With his cool aide . This is ghastly and frightening…

    Like 5
    Dislike 2
  21. Truth says:

    Lorna – you better be careful whose company you keep. You attack the drug trade, yet you allegedly borrow a car for a flashy event from a family who made a fortune from that same trade. You need to learn that personal integrity and ethics requires you to keep well away from anyone even distantly involved in that trade. At the same time, give up your position with Bank of Asia – that’s trouble too.

    Like 2
    Dislike 2
  22. uh says:

    They want to tackle organized crime yet none are talking or demanding cannabis legalization or decriminalization. We do not consume many those other drugs. Let those who want to be in those things seek harder instead of having every young person exposed to criminals by trying to get a little healing herb.

  23. Collarbone says:

    Collarbone go sit down you not even be seen in the public domain
    You selfish self center and always feel apart of your family have to be on the HOA payroll
    The BVI does not belong to you and your families

  24. Lorna for Premier says:

    Lorna is just about the only candidate who really cares about these things. The rest mostly just want to get their noses into the cheese shop or back into the cookie jar.

    And she is just about the only one who is capable of doing something about it. She kicks ass, makes enemies and stirs s**t, but she gets things done. And thats fact.

  25. UK will take over… says:

    if we elect the VIPERS back into office.

    • My View says:

      How about all the folks standing and spouting out what they want to acheive, also say how they going to acheive it…what are their objectives

  26. You make good point says:

    No one ever picks on a man for being too old….

    Watch this lady run and tell me she don’t have the energy

    Age is but a number

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