Tough Measures To Counter Crime Spiral

By Angela Burns-Piper

As he identified several measures that will be put in place to deal with an increase in criminal activity in the BVI, His Excellency the Governor Mr. Frank Savage is soliciting the support of the entire community in the fight against this menace to society. The Governor, who has direct responsibility for the Royal Virgin Islands Police, held an emergency press conference at his office Wednesday morning. He was supported by Commissioner of Police Mr. Vernon Malone and Deputy Commissioner Mr. John Johnston. His Excellency spoke of the gruesome murder on Good Friday morning of BV Islander Euan Watkins at his bar in Seacows Bay. "The murder appears to have been premeditated...it appears to have been a revenge-style assassination by members of a growing criminal fraternity in the BVI, which is starting to have a debilitating effect on the very fabric of our society." He stated that such crimes are alien to our society and further, the perpetrators made a mockery of the Christian beliefs of the territory, striking on such a sacred day. In his words, this murder, the fifth in the spate of a year, plummets the BVI to a new depth of criminal depravity.

Statistics from the Police Department indicate that in 1993, there was one murder and it was solved. In 1994, there were none. In 1995, we had one murder; it was solved. In 1996, we had two murders; they were solved. In 1997 and 1998, there were no murders. In 1999, there were three murders; two were solved, with one outstanding case. So far for the year 2000, there have been two murders. One has reportedly been solved. "Contrary to press reports...the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force have not ceased their intense investigation into the murder of Jason Bally. The Commissioner reports to me on a weekly basis on their efforts and the deceased, Euan Watkins, was interviewed only last week, as he was a potential witness in this equally abominable murder," said Governor Savage. Bally himself, a Trinidadian, was gunned down in the middle of the night by criminals who believed he was witness to a crime. "I can assure the relatives of Jason Bally and Euan Watkins that all the time I am Governor in the BVI, that the case file on these murders will not be closed until the murderers are brought to justice," he declared.

"The investigations will be intensified and there will be no hiding place in the BVI for these murderers, other than at Balsam Ghut." Referring to the ongoing spate of armed robberies. There have been 14 so far in the past six months. His Excellency reported that the Police have a reasonable idea of the members of a close-knit gang that is carrying out these attacks. But he stated that at present, they are being protected by other members of the community, who are allowing them, wittingly or otherwise, to hide weapons and to provide alibis for them. "There is a growing gun culture in the BVI which must be eradicated...there is a growing violence at the High School," Governor Savage noted. He pointed out that this is a community problem, not a Police problem and we must all come together to work out solutions.

The BVI, a premier tourist destination, has received some negative press in the North American market about the recent murder of Lois McMillen - an American lady who visited the BVI on a regular basis. The U.S media has accused the BVI of unlawful detention of four American citizens, while the Police have not looked further for other suspects. This case is sub judice, but in a brief response, His Excellency said the RVIPF is convinced, having collected sufficient evidence, that they have apprehended the correct suspects. "We have a truly independent judiciary which is divorced from the executive...there can be no interference in the BVI in how justice is carried out and is seen to be carried out," he declared. He assured all North Americans that the BVI remains a very safe holiday destination for all. He said the fact that we are deeply concerned about the recent increases in crime is a testament to the fact that we will not allow crime in our community. Addressing measures to address this upward spiral in serious crime, the BVI Governor said he needs to devote more time to the internal running of the RVIPF. He said the process has already started, as the Police review its operations, as part of the Public Sector Development Programme. "We had already started to implement the findings of the Hunt-Cullen Management Report on the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, the main thrust of which is the civilianisation of about 20 posts and put more Policemen out onto the streets," His Excellency mentioned. He added that there is a need for more support from Ministers and government, for additional funding if the re-armament programme is to be implemented, the completion of the Police firing range at Balsam Ghut and for more vehicles.

There is now a sizable Police presence on Anegada and Jost Van Dyke. "We shall need the assistance of all in the Legislative Council and the Honourable Attorney General's Chambers, as we take an urgent look at some of our inadequate and outdated laws and penalties, which are no longer a deterrent to criminals who appear to have very large sums of money at their disposal," the Governor continued. He said most importantly, they would need the cooperation of every sector of the community. His Excellency issued a challenge to the Christian Council to help in enlisting the support of the public. "Criminals are members of normal families and it is rare that families, extended families and friends are unaware of illegal activity carried out by other members of their immediate circle," he said. According to the Governor, it is time for the community to stand together and to denounce those who are attempting to ruin the reputation of the BVI. He said another way for the community to help the Police is by obeying the traffic laws and returning to safe driving. "The criminals are not only those who hold guns, some hold driving licenses," he declared. A dedicated telephone line is being installed at Police Headquarters, direct to the COP, DCP and the three Superintendents, which the public can use to pass on confidential information about criminal activity, without fear of reprisals. This programme will be operated under a system called "Crime Stopper". "In Montserrat, I faced a raging volcano for over two and a half years, which ultimately destroyed much of the community and the island. Violent crime is the volcano which is facing the BVI and it could consume our society, if we allow it to do so," Governor Savage declared. He defended what was being referred to as the reactive rather than proactive stance of the Force, saying it does take some time for new procedures to be effected. He said the BVI still prides itself in having a low crime status, but is not complacent.

He also refuted allegations that the abolition of the death penalty in the BVI has fuelled the rise in criminal activity. He said as Governor, he pledges his full support to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and he wants the community to do the same. Commissioner of Police Mr. Vernon Malone said one of the major objectives of the RVIPF since 1992 has been the improvement of relations between the Police and the public and significant progress has been made in this area. He remains confident that this improved relationship will serve to assist the Police in fighting this wave of criminal activity in the territory. "The Police Force is working feverishly on the investigation of these two murders that have not yet been solved...we are now focused on these two murders and on the robberies and we will not stop until we return the BVI to its low crime state," the Commissioner stated. He attributed the upswing in crime in the BVI to drug trafficking. Commissioner Malone reported that there was another armed robbery on Tuesday. He said several persons have been arrested.

In support of his colleagues, Deputy Commissioner of Police Mr. John Johnston reiterated that policing is about people and that we are all in the business of policing. "It's about people who are living in a democratic society in a very peaceful part of the world who are facing a certain degree of trauma because of an upsurge in crime which they have not experienced in the past," he said. Mr. Johnston underscored the need to strike a balance between taking positive action and the creation of a fear of crime. "That situation, which pushes people inside their homes and makes them put bars on their doors and makes them frightened to come out at night, has not arrived and is a long way from arriving. He emphasized that the 170 Officers of the Police Force need the support of the public, as they police islands scattered across a hundred miles of sea, a resident population of about 20,000, a visiting population of the same number and vessels coming going back and forth.