Crime Wave must be Stopped!

Crime is said to be the cancer of any society, and it seems as if it is on the rise in most countries in the world. The Caribbean countries, especially Jamaica, and Guyana have been ravished by crime and lately Trinidad and Tobago and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have been seriously affected by criminal activities.

Several other countries in the Caribbean are also being affected by criminal acts, and the British Virgin Islands is no exception. In fact, the upsurge is the talking point in the territory so much so that it was recently raised in the Legislative Council.

Chief Minister, Dr. Orlando Smith has issued a statement denouncing crime in which he said  "if the BVI is to continue in economic prosperity, we have to remain steadfast in our commitment to zero tolerance policy on crime". Opposition members in the Legislative Council, including former Chief Minister Ralph ‘O'Neal have voiced their concern about the spiralling crime rate which no doubt makes it uneasy for all.

The attack on Police Commissioner, Barry Webb, by a disgruntled police officer was senseless and absolutely unjustified and one wonders what has become of our society not to mention the assault and battery of a schoolteacher while he was conducting class at the BVI Technical and Vocational Institute and the attack and robbery on former Chief Minister Cyril Romney by four masked bandits.

These wrongful acts should not only be condemned, but the perpetrators should be seriously punished. The question is if there is enough machinery to cope with these offenders. It seems not, but the Chief Minister has already announced that steps would be taken to increase the number of the police force, but this might not be all. There must be a vigorous campaign against crime in which not only the government should be involved, but also the private sector. The Hotel Association as well as those in the marine industry should also play their role in the drive against the wrong doers.

Apart from the Financial Services sector, tourism plays a significant role in the territory's economy, and if crime should continue it would certainly put a debt to this booming industry.

The Courts should also play an important role in this regard by imposing stiff penalties on those found or pleading guilty and this brings me to the important question of surveillance and investigation. Can we honestly say that crimes are properly investigated in the territory. I would say no. The simple reason is that four persons attacked and robbed Romney and so far only one person was charged. There are at least four unsolved murders in the territory although Scotland Yard officers were brought in to assist in the investigation of at least two of these crimes.

For the past months there has been no arrest for any drug related offence. Is it that the territory has suddenly become drug free, when it is known by the Drug Enforcement Agency that the BVI is a transshipping point for drugs from South America, or the drug runners cannot be detected or they cannot be touched?

Those in authority would have to look carefully at the situation before it gets out of hand. For starters there should be more efficient police patrol, and members of the police force should have a better understanding with members of the public so that there could be mutual respect. Privately owned security agencies should work in close collaboration with the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, and above all the public should co-operate with the police. It might be a good idea if the Ministry of Health could be involved in order to assist persons who are under stress or mental distress. Why on earth would students want to attack their teacher in the class room. This certainly needs some kind of deep rooted investigation.

Guest editorial by Oscar Ramjeet