Police Partnering With The Community To Enforce Traffic Laws
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is beefing up efforts to manage the increasingly difficult traffic situation and enforce the traffic laws in the territory. The Force is involved in a number of programmes in partnership with the community - schools, other government departments and the private sector.
"During the year 2000, the goal of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force Traffic Department was to provide for the effective management of all road traffic matters," stated Deputy Commissioner John Johnston. He said there were five objectives set to meet this goal. The RVIPF set out to reduce the number of road accidents, to increase the standard of driving and road use, to increase the detection of traffic violations, to enhance the driving skills of Policemen and civilians and to increase knowledge of the Road Code and road use by using the media. The latest traffic statistics indicate that during 1999, there were 867 accidents during the period 1st January to 30th September. This figure went down this year by 126 or 14.5% to 741. The more significant figure was that in 1999 during that period, 175 people were injured as a result of road accidents. That has been reduced to 127, down by 48 or just under 27%, "quite a remarkable achievement", according to Mr. Johnston, "and shows just what can be achieved". In addition to that traffic offences, which include fixed penalty tickets, have increased from 785 to 1130, an increase of 345 or 43%. "You've heard me say it many many times that enforcement on its own is not enough," said the Deputy Police Chief. "And so during the year, as part of the contribution I think to these reductions, there was a repeated showing of the RVIPF's video "So, You Think You're a Good Driver"." The Froce also participated in two Public Eye TV programmes on the issue of road safety, provided the Governor with statistics and other information for a speech to the Rotary Club of Tortola on road safety and actively participated in the Rotary Club's Fun Car Rally giving advise on road safety matters.
The Deputy Commissioner recognized the contribution of the Ministry of Communications and Works, the Public Works Department, the Traffic Licensing Department and the Government Information Service to road safety throughout the year. He said they all played a part in increasing awareness and assist the Police in their drive to make education a fact rather than a wish in the delivery of the road safety message. His Excellency Governor Frank Savage and Chief Minister the Honourable Ralph T. O'Neal also came in for high praise for their outstanding support. "If we keep up the good work, then I'm confident that the year 2000 will in fact record the lowest number of road accidents and injuries for over five years." Another promotional initiative of the RVIPF, working in conjunction with the Education Department, the Secondary Schools and the Government Information Service, was a Road Safety Essay Competition. "The pupose behind that was the feeling that if we can't stimulate the minds of young people to think of ways to improve safety, then the future for this territory is indeed bleak," Mr. Johnston stated. The essay was entitled "Young People on the Move: Road Safety in the BVI". The first prize went to Deanne Sanderson, who received a personal computer compliments of His Excellency the Governor [see picture on page 24]. There were also prizes for the first and second runners up, (Nadine Hendrickson and Sarah Penney), commemorative certificates for all participants and a plaque to the school which produced the winning entry - the Bregado Flax Educational Centre.
DCP Johnston announced that there are several other initiatives being worked on by the Police, with the asisstance of the Health department, to further reduce casualties. With that, he is hoping that the trend in the reduction of accidents and injuries can be continued during the year 2001. He said everyone's efforts are important and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force will continue to develop partnerships with the public to enhance the safety and improve the quality of life here in the British Virgin Islands.
In his remarks, Police Commisisoner Mr. Vernon E. Malone said one of the six core functions on this Police Force is the management of traffic. "And we have much more to do in order to meet the legitimate expectations of the public and I would say that we're moving in that direction." Mr. Malone said the BVI has had more than its share of fatal accidents over the last few years and a high degree of traffic accidents, due largely to careless driving. However, he noted the emphasis is being placed on public education and traffic enforcement. He said the idea to involve the young people was very well received, realizing that these are the individuals who will soon be out of school and driving, though they would not yet be so proficient in the handling of these vehicles. "We have introduced, over the last few years, a Traffic Task Force and we're now seeking to have it better manned in order to deal with these problems that we're facing in relation to traffic," he recalled. He said on reading the essays, he noted quite a lot of "very good ideas as to what the Police can do in order to reduce this problem. And when we say policing is a partnership, this is one of the types of partnerships that we want to forge and we want to build on and learn from in the future."
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force was expected to receive a motorcycle to be used in enforcing the traffic laws. He said Police will be on the look out especially for those persons who stop on the round-a-bout and other insensitive drivers. The essay competition was held as part of Police Week 2000 activities, which began on Thursday 23rd November with a Police family day, featuring West Indian dishes. An ecumenical service was held at the Road Town Catholic Church and a road relay race from Nanny Cay to the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds on Sunday November 26th; there was open house throughout the week of Monday November 27th to Friday December 1st, visits to schools and members of the public, displays by the Police Officers, indoor games, a softball match, football game, basketball and cricket.
The highlight of the activities each year is the annual Police Ball at the Road Town Police Station, featuring music by Imaginations and the Lashing Dogs. In another major activity for the year, the Police have scheduled their annual Children's Christmas Party for Saturday December 23rd from 2pm at the Road Town Police Station.