Crime spiral–

Three dead, including Crown Counsel 

   After a troublesome summer of burglaries and armed robberies the territory is now confronted with an unprecedented string of  shootings and murders. Last weekend the surge of violent crime reached  new and atrocious levels shocking the entire BVI community and generating apprehension and many, many questions.

Ag. Police Commissioner Reynelll Frazer

BVI Police are investigating four major crimes that occurred over the weekend (15-18 September) resulting in the death of two persons - one man and one woman. The first crime occurred at Sea Cows Bay when on Thursday 15 September at approximately 6:26 a.m.  police responded to a report of a shooting. Reportedly  three young men shot 39-year-old Rolland Serrano of Sea Cow’s Bay during a robbery. The victim of the robbery, a well-known businessman, was transported to Peebles Hospital where surgery was performed. He was later transferred to a medical facility in Puerto Rico for additional treatment. (read article on page 28) As of press time Serrano is still hospitalized in Puerto Rico in serious condition.

On Saturday 17 September at approximately 11:30 a.m., police discovered the body of 43-year-old James Bolan floating in the water between the cruise ship dock and  Village Cay Marina. Bolan was a native of Nevis, and a long time resident of the BVI. Police are conducting investigations on this matter and confirmed that a post mortem will be performed.

Police were called on Sunday 18 at approximately 1:03 a.m. to the residence of Kendoy Penn at Old Plantation where shots were fired. Upon arrival, the police found Penn in his vehicle with gunshots wounds to his head and the upper portion of his body. He was rushed to Peebles Hospital where he died on Thursday morning, 22 September. Mr. Penn was a Crown Counsel at the Attorney General’s Chambers. Over the last twelve months Penn had prosecuted and won many important cases.

On Sunday afternoon a woman was found dead in a Long Bush home at approximately 2:30 p.m.  Police confirm that the woman was 41-year-old Toolsiedea Tittle, a native of Guyana with Antiguan citizenship. She had been residing in the BVI for over five years, and was last seen alive on Thursday night 15 September in the vicinity of her residence. Acting Commissioner of Police Mr. Reynell Frazer says that foul play is suspected, and the police are investigating accordingly. Mr. Frazer revealed that Tittle and Bolan shared a relationship, and that both deaths are related.

 Acting Police Commissioner Frazer has assured the BVI public that the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) will be relentless in their efforts to pursue and apprehend the persons responsible for these terrible crimes. He told members of the media at a news conference Monday afternoon that “although we have experienced some serious crimes over the past week, and there are obvious concerns and questions about the department’s response to these crimes, this situation should not deter you from supporting the men and women of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force. Now more than ever, we need your support. We must work together to ensure that we put an end to these senseless acts of violence.”

Frazer said that the RVIPF is concerned about crime in the community, and he assured the public that the RVIPF is working tirelessly to resolve the recent crimes and to resume normalcy of a low-crime status. In order to achieve this Mr. Frazer said that the Police and the community must work as a team to bring the perpetrators to justice. He added that the RVIPF remains vigilant and committed in the fight against crime. The Acting Commissioner reminded that this is our community. He appealed to the public to contact the police with any information they may have relating to any of these or other crimes, and stressed that “this could have been my relative or your relative. If you feel comfortable speaking with me directly, I invite you to do so at 494-3226. alternatively, you can contact the Senior Investigating Officer at 468-4915. We must put an end to these crimes through a police and community approach. Together we can do it.”

 A large crowd participated in a candlelight vigil held on Monday evening for Kendoy Penn. It began at the Administrative complex and ended at the Peebles Hospital where Mr. Penn was still in critical condition.

Contrary to widespread reports, this is not the first time that the BVI is confronted with a series of murders. In the early 1990s three young persons were found “mysteriously” murdered on Joe’s Hill Road and a fourth one was found dead at his home in Baughers Bay.  The number of unsolved murder cases during the 1990s and  in recent years is very high. Violent crime has also increased tremendously and during the last two years alone  no less than 10 murders have been reported.

On Sunday evening in a televised speech BVI Chief Minister Dr. the Hon. D. Orland Smith said that action will be taken to restore the BVI to what it used to be — a peaceful place.

“My friends: The ugly face of violence has long been a stranger to us. That is as it should be and how it must be again. Sadly, the last few days have confirmed for us what we have long suspected – a culture of violence, criminality and brutality is trying to gain a foothold in the BVI. It is a culture that is foreign to the BVI – it is a culture that devalues human life. It is a culture that puts money and instant gratification of base desires above all else. It is quite simply a culture of evil. And so let me say clearly – before we see our beloved BVI torn apart by this insidious threat, we will be roused to action. I promise you tonight that here in the BVI we will not grow quietly accustomed to crime in our midst. We will not be reconciled to a life of fear and insecurity. We will not remain passive in the face of naked aggression by the thugs who seek to spread terror. This community will rally together and we shall prevail. The road ahead will not be easy. But when we stand together and say with one voice: no more violence – no more bloodshed – then we can take our future into our own hands. United we are stronger than the criminals. United we are stronger than the hooligans. United we are capable of restoring our society to what we know it to be: a place of peace, a place of security, a place of decency,” Dr. Smith said.                             

Press Statement by Reynell Frazer, Ag. Commissioner of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force

We are all concerned about the issue of crime in our community; let me assure you that the RVIPF remains vigilant and committed in the fight against crime. 

The RVIPF is working tirelessly to resolve these recent crimes and to resume normalcy of a low-crime status.  However, we must work as a team; the community and the Police must work together to bring the perpetrators to justice.

 On Thursday 15^th September approximately 6:26 a.m. Police responded to a report of a shooting in Sea Cow’s Bay. It was later revealed that 39-year-old Rolland Serrano of Sea Cow’s Bay was shot during a robbery by three young men.  Serrano was transported to Peebles Hospital where surgery was preformed.  He was later transferred to a medical facility in Puerto Rico for additional treatment.

 On Saturday morning, approximately 11:30 a.m. Police recovered a male body that was floating in the water between the cruise ship dock and the Village Cay Marina.  A cord was tied around the right ankle and right wrist, with a six-inch concrete block attached to the cord closer to the wrist. The body has since been identified as that of 43-year-old James Bolan of Nevis, a long time resident of the BVI.  Police are conducting investigations and a post mortem will be conducted.

 On Sunday morning, approximately 1:03 a.m. Police responded to a report at the residence of Mr. Kendoy Penn at Old Plantation where shots were fired. Mr. Penn is a Crown Counsel at the Attorney General’s Chambers. On arrival, he was found in his vehicle with gunshots wounds to his head and upper portion of his body.  Mr. Penn was rushed to Peebles Hospital where he remains in very critical condition. 

 On Sunday afternoon, around 2:30 p.m. Police responded to a report at Long Bush where a woman was found dead in a home. Police investigation revealed that the body was that of 41-year-old Toolsiedea Tittle, a native of Guyana with Antiguan citizenship. She had been residing in the B.V.I. over five years, and was last seen alive on Thursday night in the vicinity of her residence. Foul play is suspected, and the police are investigating accordingly.  Further, it was revealed that Tittle and Bolan shared a relationship, and that both deaths are related. 

 You have my assurance, that the RVIPF will be relentless in their efforts to pursue and apprehend the persons responsible for these terrible crimes. 

Although we have experienced some serious crimes over the past week, and there are obvious concerns and questions about the department’s response to these crimes.  This situation should not deter you from supporting the men and women of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force.  Now, more than ever, we need your support.  We must work together to ensure that we put an end to these senseless acts of violence. 

 This is our community, and I am appealing to the Public to contact us with any information they may have relating to any of these or other crimes.  This could have been my relative or your relative.  If you feel more comfortable speaking with me directly, I invite you do so at 494-3226.  Alternatively, you can contact the Senior Investigating Officer at 468-4915.  We must put an end to these crimes through a police community approach. Together we can do it.

May God continue to bless you and our beautiful British Virgin Islands.

 Press Statement by Chief Minister D. Orlando Smith

on the weekend crimes  

Sunday, 18 September, 2005

My fellow BV Islanders:

 Like all citizens and residents of the British Virgin Islands, I am shocked, saddened and angered by the recent spate of violence that has been visited upon us.

Earlier this afternoon I met with the members of my Government and we discussed the current situation and we will meet with our colleagues of the Opposition as we close ranks to work together to address this very serious problem.

 I have also asked His Excellency the Governor to convene an emergency meeting of Executive Council tomorrow to develop and approve a plan of action for immediate implementation.

 I will be reporting back to the Territory to update you on the specific steps we plan to take in response to these senseless tragedies.

In the meantime I want to appeal to all the people of the Territory to remain calm and resolute in the face of our most recent attack on one of our best and brightest young lawyers, Crown Counsel Kendoy Penn.

 Each of the three terrible crimes committed this weekend will be treated separately and investigated individually.  As we stand shoulder to shoulder with the victims’ families we remain resolved to do our duty to think clearly and to move forward in an orderly fashion and with steady determination.

 I appeal to every citizen and resident do their civic duty and cooperate with the police and to also volunteer any helpful information which can solve these crimes.

 I am aware of the challenges that exist in relations between the police force and the community. I have spoken to these issues in the past and am fully committed to working to find long-term solutions to ensure strong and trustful relations.

 But the priority at the moment has to be to find and prosecute the perpetrators of these appalling acts.  In doing so, we will need the support of every one of you.

 Because let us speak plainly: by their savage and terrible acts – the criminals who have perpetrated these crimes have declared war on the decent, law abiding citizens of our Territory.

 But ladies and gentlemen, they will not succeed.  We will not succumb to this scourge.  I assure you we will do everything in our power to stop these assaults on our peaceful community.

 We will shake every tree, we will overturn every stone, we will shine light upon every shadow to find the persons who did these deeds and bring them to justice.

 The swift and mighty hand of justice shall be set upon those who have brought violence to our community.

 My friends: The ugly face of violence has long been a stranger to us. That is as it should be and how it must be again. Sadly, the last few days have confirmed for us what we have long suspected – a culture of violence, criminality and brutality is trying to gain a foothold in the BVI.

 It is a culture that is foreign to the BVI – it is a culture that devalues human life. It is a culture that puts money and instant gratification of base desires above all else. It is quite simply a culture of evil. And so let me say clearly – before we see our beloved BVI torn apart by this insidious threat, we will be roused to action.

 I promise you tonight that here in the BVI we will not grow quietly accustomed to crime in our midst. We will not be reconciled to a life of fear and insecurity. We will not remain passive in the face of naked aggression by the thugs who seek to spread terror.

 This community will rally together and we shall prevail. The road ahead will not be easy. But when we stand together and say with one voice: no more violence – no more bloodshed – then we can take our future into our own hands.

 United we are stronger than the criminals. United we are stronger than the hooligans. United we are capable of restoring our society to what we know it to be: a place of peace, a place of security, a place of decency.

 Let me conclude by asking every citizen, resident and visitor of our Territory to offer a prayer tonight – pray for the swift and complete recovery of those who have been hurt. 

 Pray for the relatives and families of those who mourn the loss of loved ones or are concerned about the recovery about those who have been injured. Pray, too, for the souls of the criminals that they may yet find the light of God and repent their ways.

 And, above all, pray for the peace of our beloved home. Thank you. And may God forever bless our British Virgin Islands.