We don’t want it! Gov’t criticised over Long Look social complex
Local businesswoman Amberly Crabbe has criticised plans for a transitional facility and social complex in Long Look, arguing that the project could further stigmatise a community she said has faced negative perceptions for years.
The facility, which government officials described as a first-of-its-kind transitional centre and social complex, is under construction near Nottingham Estate in eastern Tortola. Construction began earlier this year.
At the start of construction, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley described the project as “more than a building” and said it represented “an act of compassion” aimed at helping vulnerable persons. He also said the Long Look development would serve as a model for similar initiatives in other communities based on need.
Stigmatised
However, Crabbe questioned the decision to place the facility in Long Look and said residents remain unclear about its exact purpose.
“Long Look has been stigmatised for a very long time. We are the ghetto. We are known, quote-unquote, as the ghetto,” Crabbe stated in a recent Facebook post.
“There are some people who would be afraid to drive through Long Look, some people who are afraid to pass through Long Look at night, and there’s a strong stigma associated with the Long Look community,” Crabbe added.
She said residents have received conflicting explanations about the intended use of the building.
“Some say whether it’s a mental health building. Some say they’re bringing another Safe Haven up there. Some say for the less fortunate that it has, and people who don’t have other means you’re bringing there to rehabilitate, to help, to assist,” Crabbe stated.
According to Crabbe, many residents do not support the project.
“Whatever one of those definitions, reasons, explanations, my people in Long Look understand that building to mean, we don’t need it. We don’t want it. I have never met anyone who was in favour of it,” Crabbe said.
Build a museum instead
The Long Look resident also called on the Premier to halt the project and engage residents directly.
“Honourable Premier, you see that building up there that you’re putting down, that you ain’t talk to nobody about. You see you call a community meeting and nobody ain’t come. Call another one,” Crabbe stated.
She proposed converting the facility into a museum dedicated to the history and resilience of Long Look residents instead.
“I think that building needs to be converted into a museum of our history that speaks to the heritage, the legacy and the fortitude of the people,” Crabbe argued.
The government has said the facility forms part of wider social development efforts intended to support vulnerable members of the community. The Premier previously indicated that similar facilities could eventually be developed in other areas across the territory based on need.
The project remains under construction.
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Crabbe clearly has nothing to do or say, Who the heck is interested in Long Look history,much less BVI history. Look at our historical sites. Look at the sugar mill plantation which was a museum. These old heads need to sit down. Get these disturb people off the streets of east end, Long look and especially fine food. Atleast give em something to do.
YOUR FACE DISTURBED, MOST OF THOSE PEOPLE FINE FOOD COME FROM PROMINENT FAMILIES AND HAVE JOBS. I AM SURE ORIGIN OF THEIR FAMILY ARE PERSONS FROM ALL OVER THE BVI,the other persons nearby just hang out around the area!!!!out of PLACE
A museum? Really?! That’s more important that taking care of our people?
Her relative got the contract. So what’s her issue? She has a lot of time on hand.
its her brother so why all the fuss
It is an odd location?
Belmont Estate be better.
What happening with the Spooners hill Old Peoples Home before we spend money on airport this and the other more money for buddies projects.
The Long Look facility debate is really exposing a bigger issue than just one building. Even if the intention is social support, people are clearly worried about how it will shape the image of the community and whether residents were properly involved from the start.
At the same time, the government is framing it as part of wider care for vulnerable people, so you’ve got two things colliding here: service delivery on one side and community identity on the other. If trust is missing, even well meaning projects end up being rejected or resisted.
A project like this probably needed stronger early consultation so residents felt part of the decision instead of reacting after construction already began.
She always yapping.
Her family is directly benefiting financially from the execution of this project, yet Ms. Crabbe is criticizing this project after ground was broken and construction is well underway. The things you see in these beautiful Virgin Islands are quite interesting.
It shows that money is not her main focus.
If she really cared that badly, she should’ve taken a few of the same Long Look persons who she claims are not in favour of the project, and protested on site the same day ground was being broken. You do, it’s a problem. You don’t, it’s a problem.
Remember she took Crabbe off her name. She don’t want see her family with nothing. Maybe that’s the outrage
BUILD A LIBRARY INSTEAD for crying out louuuuddddd!!!!
My child ain’t going in no ghetto to no library
The VIP bloggers are coming out in full force for this one!
I’m 100% with Ms Crabbe!
An model center that benefits disadvantaged members of our community doesn’t do anything for me- and I’m a VOTER! I like the idea of an East End museum that all the cruise ship people will flock to on safari busses. This capitalist system we live under should only benefit those who are able to pay taxes. Let’s face it, whether due to infirmity, illness, disability or psychiatric condition, most of the “disadvantaged” are unable to work!
(how is this even slightly acceptable?)
I saw that video and I was crushed with how heartless some can be. Premier continue doing what is right for the persons that are crying out for help please.
The entire island crying out for help
What the hell will a museum do for the people of the 7th District? None of the present museums around the VI are successful.
Bull, Dadly, Bumpy, Jerry, the one found dead in an abandoned vehicle across from fine food, Champy, the one who is always inside the dumpster scavaging, the one that was found dead a few days ago and I could go on and on. How the hell would a museum help them. What a set of wicked heartless animals. What would Jesus do?
All the persons names you mentioned had/have homes. Champy has a government built social home.Yet he still hangs out on the street harassing people when he ready. Jerry had one before he died.A museum there is not the best option. Especially with the current stigma of Long Look.
What is disappointing is that she seems to have shut the idea down completely without even acknowledging that there is a real need for a home like this. The real questions should be about the location, the management, the funding, and how the facility will run.
I understand the concern about stigmatization, but we have to be honest, the issues in the community are already there for everyone to see. Ignoring the problem or pushing it somewhere else is not a solution.
No doubt Long Look needs more invest but at the same time, we also have to deal with the real social issues affecting the community today.
Long Look is a large community and like every other community, it has challenges that need real answers. Did she offer an alternative location? Did she suggest another way to help the people who actually need these services?
Homes / property value will will take a big dive.Not at all fair to property owners.
We are desperately in need of an additional prison,most especially because potential and practicing criminaks from yonder are the immigrants of choice. The BVI consists of many islets..why not make haste and utilize 1or2 for prison and other recaltritants. Solid garbage could be utilized for ongoing expansion of an islet.
Most definitely we will.be needing additional prison space ongoing. The other option could vecto have an agreement with the home country of the prisoners to accept and house their haunted fruits or decide to be restictive with immigrant entry from places where the reality based on past / current statistics,indicates the financial and OR social liability to these VI and its
people .
Why not build a Pool Hall where people can play Pool or something like that?
How many Long Look people did she hire as an entrepreneur ? This New York Yankee is a bad human being. Worst employer ever. I sorry I sent people her openings when they were posted. Her Uncle was there for years and she never had outrage and long look was a slump. Hate the premier or not he recognized the area is heavily affected with social issues and is attempting to do something about it.
39m video with comments disabled is very much “long look” don’t the comments of the people of Long Look important Ms. Crabbe? Only your voice is to be heard? Then she got the heart to call others name in her video. Some who have long look area more run down than any place with their buildings, shops and run down rental spaces and derelicts.
Uncle Keddy probably assigned her to go in an attempt to discredit Premier. Natalio will be reseated again. As a resident and a voter who supported Ms Leonard. #notiagain.
In my all 57+ years this is the first time I’m seeing attention to the district I call home getting attention. Long Look we come from! Put aside pride, stop divide and let’s live a purposeful life.