BVI Experiences Upswing In Crime

The BVI is experiencing an upswing in criminal activity, it was confirmed here Wednesday. During a press conference at Police Headquarters, Commissioner of Police Vernon Malone announced that over the past six months, the territory has experienced a sharp increase in armed robberies. These robberies were said to have occurred mainly in the Road Town and West End areas and were mostly drug-related. There have already been seven robberies for the year 2000. He said this explains why the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has initiated a number of measures, including a stop and search operation throughout the islands, aimed at reducing the amount of drugs on the streets and confiscating firearms.

"Our intention is to return the BVI to its low crime status and we will continue and intensify our activities until our objectives are realized," he declared. According to Commissioner Malone, well over 30 Police Officers were employed for this stop and search operation and a number of functions had to be temporarily closed. But, from all reports, the operation was well worth the effort. Over the last two months, the RVIPF executed 32 search warrants, conducted stop and search activities on 343 vehicles and 4 boats, seized 1 gram of cocaine, 5.5 grams of crack cocaine, 438.7 grams of marijuana, $34,354, one 9mm handgun, one .38 revolver, two .25 pistols, one M1 carbine assault rifle, one Mark 11 submachine gun and dozens of rounds of ammunition. A number of other articles were recovered by the Police, including military-style bullet-proof vests, telephone bug detectors, night vision binocular, Global Positioning Systems and similar sensitive equipment. The exercise, which began in January and was completed March 26th, also resulted in the uprooting of 2,136 marijuana trees and some 28 persons were arrested and charged. The Commissioner could not immediately produce a breakdown of the nationalities of those persons arrested and charged.

"It is my considered view that the five arms of the criminal justice system must work together towards the suppression of crime, if the Police Force is to realize its objective in a timely manner," the Police Chief asserted. The five arms of the criminal justice system are the Police, the Prosecution Service, the Probation Service, the Courts and the Prison. He said for its part, the Criminal Investigation Department is working feverishly on the investigation of the robberies that have been committed. There is also a Drugs Unit within the RVIPF, which deals specifically with the investigation of all drug-related matters. "I am also of the view that sentencing guidelines and wider sentencing options must be introduced in the BVI, with great urgency," the Commissioner continued. He declined to elaborate, but re-emphasized the need for discussion on this issue. "The sentencing, in my view, could be looked at. I know that this is an area exclusive to the Courts, but I am only pointing out the disparity between what the Legislators say would be the maximum penalty...compared to what is being given." According to the Police, the maximum penalty at summary conviction for simple possession of a Class A drug, such as cocaine and marijuana, is a fine of $100,000 and three years imprisonment.

A comparison was drawn regarding some of the fines given in recent cases for the same Class A drugs: Austin Robinson was fined $300 for possession of marijuana and $600 for the possession of cocaine; Joseph Kelly pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana and was fined $300; Nicholas pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana - fined $500; James Roberts pleaded guilty to marijuana possession - fined $500; Ronald Penn of West End pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana - fined $600; Charles Blyden and Franklyn Chinnery of Jost Van Dyke pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana an they were each fined $1,000 and Chad Stevens of Anegada pleaded guilty to marijuana possession and was fined $400. Up to press time, there were five cases pending before the Court arising from the stop and search operation. During the question and answer segment, Commissioner Malone affirmed his confidence in the Officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force in the execution of their duties. He discounted suggestions that the upsurge in criminal activity was due to a lax attitude on the part of the Police. "I have great confidence in that Department. It has produced very good results for us and it is continuing to do so," he told The Island Sun. He said he believes that our present problems stem from the occasion some months ago when drugs were found floating around the BVI. The Police Commissioner reported that there has been some resistance to the stop and search operation being carried out by the Police and on more than one occasion, the security of the Police was put in jeopardy. Retaliation from one person resulted in the injury of a Police Officer, who received a fractured arm, another Officer received a head injury and yet another - bodily injuries. This civilian was subsequently arrested and charged in connection with the incident. In a separate incident, a person reportedly wielded a cutlass at the Police. Mr. Malone explained that the Police procedures are clear, based on providing safety to the Officers and members of the public. He said furthermore, the Police Officers are all dressed in uniform and should command due respect.

While the BVI is considered to be relatively crime-free, this is not the first time that there has been an upswing of crime in the territory. In 1997, there was a similar situation. "I believe that severe measures must be taken (to return the BVI to its position of a low crime status); I think that people who commit crimes in the BVI and they have been found guilty and they are not from the BVI should be deported (after serving their sentence)," Commissioner Malone stated categorically. He said this was done in 1993 and again in 1997, to good effect. He said this does not have anything to do with being anti-foreigners; it is done in the United States and elsewhere and should be done here as well. The three major Policing problems facing the BVI are drug trafficking, armed robberies and traffic offences. There are 168 men and women in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force. The Chief of Police acknowledged that there is a resource and equipment need in the Force and also the need for more Officers and for more training opportunities. He also used the opportunity to appeal to the public for their renewed cooperation with the Police in the fight against illicit activity.