Breaking

9-Year-Old Boy Dies After Being Shot in Head in Croixville Housing Community; Police Detain 15-Year-Old

Concerned Residents Clean Christiansted Town Using Their Own Tools, Money, and Some Help from the VI Fire Service

Territory May See Veterans Cemetery Through DeGazon-Sponsored Bill

Credit and Debit Cards of WAPA Customers Were Compromised Since August 30th, WAPA Says, Authority to Finally Start Issuing Notification Via Mail and Email

Sports Tourism in VI Gains Momentum as DC United Team is set to Play Exhibition Soccer Game on St. Croix

Carnival Breeze Brings 3,700 Tourists to St. Croix During Maiden Call; Senators, Tourism Officials Want to See More

Limetree Bay Willing To Provide $10 Million To Help Add Life to a Dying G.E.R.S.

American Airlines to Serve St. Croix With New Flights Next Summer

The Sudden Death of Influential Roots Reggae Visionary, Vaughn Benjamin of Midnite Band and Akae Beka, Has Rocked the Virgin Islands and Reggae Community Around the World

Arthur A. Richards K-8 School Hosts Anti-Bullying Campaign

Come Out. Hang Out. Have Fun at The Meat Up, One of St. Thomas’ Latest Hot-Spot for Good Food with Friends and Family.

UVI Board of Trustees Approves $47.1 Million Fiscal Year 2020 Budget; Sets $3 Million Fundraising Goal

Man Dies During Early Morning Car Accident on St. Croix; Driver of Car Arrested (Updated)

'You Did Everything You Could to Prevent this from Happening': An Emotional Goodbye to Young Aaron Benjamin

Back in Business: Cost U Less on St. Thomas Opened its Doors Friday to Thousands of Customers 2 Years after Irma and Maria

Bill Aimed at Regulating Credit Use by Gov't Departments and Agencies Among Others Held in Committee

Juan Luis Hospital Announces Completion and Availability of Mobile Dialysis Facilities

Tractor Trailer With Tank Carrying Thousands Of Gallons of Liquified Gas Flips Near Cool Out Bar; Driver Injured But Alive

Credit and Debit Card Hack Through WAPA Appears to be Widespread in Virgin Islands; WAPA Says Support Services Will be Made Available to Affected Customers

Facing Life in Prison Without Parole, Mother and Boyfriend Plead Not Guilty in Murder of 4-Year-Old Boy

Gittens Calls On Attorney General’s Office, VIPD, To Take Action Against Man Who Threw Bricks At A Woman And Her Children

Crime / Featured / News / Virgin Islands / March 21, 2019

Senate President Kenneth Gittens is renewing his call for all peace officers to step in and augment the Virgin Islands Police Department’s force. This week, he called for a return to greater civility and said the territory’s laws must be more strongly enforced.

In the past weeks Mr. Gittens said he has heard growing reports of blatant disregard for law and order, including some violent and disorderly conduct recently highlighted on social media.

“I saw videos of two airline employees fighting at Henry Rohlsen Airport, several physical altercations taking place during the parade in Christiansted, and of a man hurling bricks at a young woman and her children,” he said. “These are all incidents that violate our local laws as disturbance of the peace and disorderly conduct and demonstrate that the perpetrators are not afraid of being arrested. They are incidents that carry fines or jail time and should result in law enforcement taking swift action.”

The veteran lawmaker a former police officer himself, is calling for a unified law enforcement front to combat and disarm the handful of lawless individuals disrupting the community.

“I’m calling for collaboration between local and federal entities and supplemental manpower for the Virgin Islands Police Department,” he said. “I hope that this new administration, and our new police leadership, see the importance of getting more boots on the ground to protect our community. In the same vein, it is time for us to identify and solidify the leadership of the Police Department and the Department of Justice.”

Mr. Gittens said the Virgin Islands has long celebrated its diversity and that there was no place in the community for racism and intimidation of any type, referencing the recent incident whereby a woman reported that a man threw bricks at her vehicle as a result of her inadvertently turning down his driveway.

“I’m calling on all law enforcement officers and the Attorney General’s Office to send a clear message that these types of actions will lead to arrests and prosecution,” Mr. Gittens said.

He said it’s a sad day in the territory when people are comfortable enough to swear or fight in front of police officers without a fear of being brought up on charges. 

The senator encouraged heads of agencies with law enforcement arms to step up to the plate and express their willingness to be a part of a joint effort to curb crime. He also encouraged residents to continue being the eyes and ears of the police and to report any illegal activity.


Tags:



Staff Consortium




Previous Post

Man Shot Dead Inside Grocery Store In Watergut As Violent Crime Re-escalates In USVI

Next Post

CHOP Bar & Grill, My Girlfriend's Closet And Cultured Naturals Body Care Nominated For Small Business Of The Year By Chamber Of Commerce





You might also like

Leave a Reply


More Story

Man Shot Dead Inside Grocery Store In Watergut As Violent Crime Re-escalates In USVI

ST. CROIX -- A man was shot dead late Wednesday night inside the Harmony Grocery Store and Bar, which is located near the Watergut...

March 21, 2019