Police Report Progress In Busting The Crime Wave

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force is reporting a major breakthrough as they fight to return the BVI to its normal crime-free status. Since July 1999, there has been an upswing in violent crimes, including armed robberies, within the BVI.

Police have conducted intensified activities aimed at reducing or eliminating these crimes and so far, a large number of persons have been arrested and charged and convicted before the Courts. Police have also confiscated a large amount of drugs and assault-type firearms during their stop and search activities, which will continue. During a press conference on Wednesday May 3rd, Police Commissioner Vernon Malone announced that Police have arrested Jefferson Joseph and Tyrone Daniel on suspicion of robbery and later on suspicion of the murder of Euan Watkins. Daniels was subsequently released pending further inquiries. Just about two weeks ago, Police arrested and charged the following persons for burglary at Pusser’s, Road Town: Troy Smith of West End, Kenneth Heyliger of Purcell, Devon Smith of Long Bay, West End and Kevin Smith of Towers, West End.

Following these actions, Police also arrested and charged the following persons for armed robbery at the Castle Maria Hotel in McNamara: Damien Hodge of Sea Cows Bay, Troy Smith of Towers, West End, Kenneth Heyliger of Mountain Valley, Huntums Ghut and Deschense White of Purcell Estate. Damien Hodge was also charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm for pistol-whipping someone at the said hotel and also for committing criminal damage to the hotel premises. "It is to be noted that Damien Hodge is on bail for armed robbery when these offences were committed," the Commissioner pointed out. Damien Hodge and Deschense White were also charged with burglary at the said hotel. In addition, the following persons were arrested and charged with the offence of attempted armed robbery of Mr. Donald "Nature Boy" Rhymer: Damien Hodge was charged with attempted armed robbery and Troy Smith, Kenneth Heyliger and Deschense White were charged with accessory after the fact. These persons were arrested last Tuesday night (May 2nd) for attempted armed robbery: Roger Farrington, 20, of Belle Vue; Allen Baptiste, 21, Boat Cleaner at The Moorings and Ashebo Smith, 20, of Belle Vue, Ramp Worker at the Beef Island Airport.

Commissioner Malone reported that Police have recovered a stolen van belonging to A.H. Riise, which is believed to have been used by the three assailants aforementioned. "The crime in which they are involved was brought to the attention of the Police, when an off-duty Police Inspector Dean Fahie, observed what was happening and he gave chase behind the three suspects, while calling Road Town Police Station for back-up," the Police Chief noted. He said a number of Police Officers responded rapidly to the scene and assisted in the search and the three men were apprehended and taken into custody. "Investigations and continuing and further charges are expected to be brought," he declared. He said Police are continuing their investigations into these armed robberies. A number of persons have been interviewed and one suspect has been arrested on suspicion in relation to the C & F armed robbery. This suspect has been released pending further investigations.

"A number of leads are being pursued, including the allegation that a government vehicle was seen leaving the scene of the robbery," the Commissioner continued. He used the opportunity to ask for the continued support of the public. He said they have been receiving information from the public, which has been useful in the investigation of these crimes. He also thanked the Officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force for their commitment to the investigation of these crimes. "A large amount of police officers have not been able to receive their annual leave and they have been working 12-15 hours per day without compensation. I also wish to thank their families, who have had to do without presence and support over the last two months, as we continue to make sure that the BVI is returned to its crime-free status," Commissioner Malone stated. "We will not stop until this is achieved and again, I ask for public support and cooperation," he said. The RVIPF is now establishing a Crime Stoppers Unit, at the front end of which is a telephone hotline that rings in the Commissioner's Office. Anyone with information concerning any crime is encouraged to call this information in.

"I can assure you that any information, that your identity, if that is at all known, will be kept in the strictest of confidence," he assured the public. The number to call is 468-0911 or if you're calling from the government service, the extension is 5018. "We need your help, because there are still some robberies outstanding and we are working very hard on the two murders that are still outstanding," he said. He noted that this Force has been very successful in the investigation of murders, for every murder committed in this territory since 1993 were solved, except for the two now being investigated, that of Jason Bally and Euan Watkins. "And it is our intention to solve those as well," he declared. The Commissioner told The Island Sun newspaper that during the last few months, Police have improved criminal intelligence techniques and have formed the view that there are a number of gangs operating in the BVI. "We have been targeting these gangs and we fell that we are close to putting most of the gangs out of operation," he said. He said the Police have many views as to why these robberies are occurring and feel that there is some connection with drug trafficking. "We also feel that there are some members of these gangs who want to get quick cash and they have decided that this dishonest approach can bring them that benefit." Commissioner Malone said they are seeing, more and more, a trend of irresponsibility on the part of some parents, in terms of the activities of their children, who are living their lives, and he feels that this area needs to be looked at with great urgency.

"Every police officer - and I will urge them to do so - should be an eye against crime and our success in some of these areas, is predicated on this very view...our idea is not to act blindly, but to be intelligence-led," he remarked. He said this has been one of the under-pinning philosophies of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, introduced about six months ago, and he said they are already seeing results. He told The Island Sun some of those persons arrested have been cooperative, while some have not, but the Police continue to investigate the crimes based on standard and acceptable practises and taking their civil liberties into consideration at all times. He encouraged persons with information to come forward, to enable the Police to do their job. He said he is confident that the police is talented, experienced enough and well trained to solve these crimes, as was done in 1993 and again in 1997.

"I have that confidence. Give us the resources, give us your support, give us your cooperation and we will do the job...and we will not rest until all those who are responsible are brought to justice," he declared. According to the Police Commissioner, the RVIPF operates on three broad principles - community policing ("because we know we must communicate with the public and have good relations with them so that they will supply us with information"), intelligence-led police ("tells us that we must collect that intelligence, analyse it and produce it to our operators on the street") and problem-solving policing (which says where the police must work with other agencies and departments to find solutions to the root causes of these problems). "I stand ready to work with any department to achieve this end," he told The Island Sun. He said the time has come for the BVI to enlist the support and help of a specialist in criminology to look into the root causes of these problems and then to report to government, so there could be proper problem-solving techniques put in place. He said if this is not done, the territory stands to lose a great part of this new generation to crime. "When you look at the age group of the youngsters who are involved in these activities, then we must find a solution and I will endorse and recommend that the time has come for such a specialist to be employed...," Mr. Malone noted.