Unlikely that illegal guns coming through regular ports — Matthews
While commenting that there are far too many illegal weapons in the BVI, former Police Commissioner Michael Matthews has dismissed the notion that firearms may be slipping in undetected through the BVI’s airports and seaports.
“I think it’s highly unlikely that guns are coming through our legitimate ports of entry, there was very little evidence of that when I was the police commissioner,” Matthews stated recently.
He continued: “But we are porous. We are extremely open as a territory. It is not difficult for a boat to enter during the hours of darkness from the US Virgin Islands as an example with weapons on board or other contraband.”
According to the former police chief, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has seized more guns this year off of the BVI’s streets than in the previous 10 years.
Despite this achievement, however, Matthews suggested that there is still much work left to be done.
“If the RVIPF is seizing over 70 firearms this year, that’s a lot of weaponry that’s here illegally in the territory. Which means there are still far too many illegal weapons in the territory,” Matthews stated.
Matthews also commended the work done by officers in the RVIPF’s Marine Unit and Customs officers, who he said often intercept and find items.
In the meantime, while Matthews agreed that members of the public service, in general, should be criticised when not delivering according to their roles and responsibilities, he suggested that much of the criticism levelled at the RVIPF was about ‘perception’ and said much of it is media driven.
“There’s a lot of sort of headlines that go out there that, you know. I read the headlines these days and think to myself, well, come on. Why are you putting that out there? That is not gonna help anyone solve crime. That’s just gonna damage confidence even further,” Matthews argued. “But, you know, it’s the media’s job to sort of stir it up a bit, I guess, and raise questions. And they’re doing their job in doing that. So it’s not a criticism in that regard.”
Several gun amnesty measures over the years, including one held earlier this year, have proven patently unsuccessful but Governor John Rankin has offered some assurance that more will continue to be done to have guns removed from the territory’s shores.
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You come here love the life and now You don’t want leave i beg You shut your a** and leave our ví islanders
It is the people with the big, big money who are well organized and connected that are trading and smuggling in instruments of death and destruction for profit. And not just guns and bullets, but all the heavy drugs, coke, crack, hash amphetamines and more.
The drug profit world is not a lil boy nickel and dime world. The controllers have spread that lie and propaganda for decades, but it is pure lies. The big fishes are the high-class high society people, institutions and businesses. But every now and again they will arrest a small fry trying to make a dollar to give baby mama to keep the propaganda current.
And, if exposed today, the culprits will surprise all. No level of society, institution or business will be left unexposed.
You need to shout you a** up the formar COP Mr Mathews was one of the Best COP that the BVI ever had , he is welcome to stay and is nothing you can do about it ..Jacka**
“While commenting that there are far too many illegal weapons in the BVI, former Police Commissioner Michael Matthews has dismissed the notion that firearms may be slipping in undetected through the BVI’s airports and seaports”
Sir you are quite wrong and extremely naïve if you believe that.
the breaking down in any society is when people do not respect those in authority .
respect regardless and let the chip fall where it may !
we need to be reminded that when we get a position in Government you to will be called out as well. Do you know it be you or your love one stop the mess …
Legalize it make guns legal make people be able to protect them self let them got an do proper training especially business owners an security guards. Do that the gun crimes going go down these criminals going think twice before they try a rob people business…
Say you didn’t find evidence to suggest that but don’t say its unlikely.
Parents. Relatives , aunts, grandparents, uncles girlfriends all KNOW who those … are . They all benefit from the operations and only bawled out when a life is taken
That is why no body will ever say anything it does not matter who leads the force.
People here do not respect law, boundaries and authority . When the come you only hear so and so is my family so that automatically gives the right to either obey , disobey, fill a position, get just treatment, be respected .., Watch good !! It will get worse … Then turn around and blame island people and the white man … Where is the former Premier and why is he there ?
Ohhhh it was a set up … I forget .. Slavery had nothing to do with greed and principles and respect
Yes, well said and some of them are sorrily in government positions and in control of surveillance…
Sorry Mr Nice guy, you are the one who is totally clueless…..
Those at the helm knows what is wrong. Unequal Justice.
1. Stop vehicles from meeting private planes on the tarmac to unload cargo and drive through the gate.
2. Search those trailers that come in the port (no matter who they belong to).
3. People who cobduct surveillance must have integrity and purpose to protect the territory.
4. Greed and the lust for Power must be put in the rear view mirror.
As a people we all should crave a prosperous safe community, but we have to correct our faults and di the right thing.