Summer Programs Helmed By VIPD Continue To Impact Territory’s Youth, Police Force Says

The Virgin Islands Police Department said Saturday that it continues to positively engage the community’s youth and families territory-wide during the summer months by providing several enrichment programs, work ethics and entrepreneurship skills for hundreds of youths ages 5 through 17.  

Through the department’s Crime Prevention Bureau, several programs are conducted, including the Summer Enrichment Program, Police Athletic League, Drug Education for Youth, One Week Residential Camp, the PAL Mentoring Program, and the World of Work and Entrepreneurship Program, the V.I.P.D. said.

The Crime Prevention Bureau in partnership with the Department of Sports Parks and Recreation also sponsors the V.I.P.D.’s Summer Basketball League in the St. Croix District. The V.I.P.D. said the summer league is an annual event coordinated by the School Security Bureau under the leadership of Officer Anthony Osbourne. A total of 10 teams with 90 players participate in the league. Games are held four days a week at the St. Croix Educational Complex gym.

Most of the program’s participants continue to build on their reading, writing and mathematical skills, said the V.I.P.D. They also learn how to do the following: swim, kick boxing, martial arts, arts and craft and various sports leadership. Additionally, participants attend weekly educational field trips. 

Presenters from various agencies and organizations come out to educate the youth on fire safety, hurricane preparedness, peer pressure, bullying, gangs, guns, building positive relationships and much more.  

In addition, through a partnership with the Department of Labor and the Legislature, 18 participants 14 and 15 years old are taught work ethics and entrepreneurship skills, according to the release.

Crime Prevention Bureau Director Jacqueline Freeman credits the success of these programs largely to the continued collaboration of agencies and organizations such as the United States Attorney’s Office, Project Safe Neighborhoods VI,  Department of Labor, DEA/HIDTA, US Marshals, Superior Court, Virgin Islands National Guard, Department of Education, the V.I. Legislature, DVSAC, My Brother’s Workshop, Prophecy Church, Bovoni Baptiste Church and the Law Enforcement Planning Commission. 

The V.I.P.D. said it continues to look for positive role models within the community to mentor a child and or assist with the various programs.  

To get involved in St. Croix, contact District Crime Prevention Bureau Supervisor Sgt. Richard White at 340-226-5084. In the St. Thomas-St. John District, contact District Supervisor Lt. Bridget Conow at 340-643-0110, Kathleen Powell 340-513-3737, or Ms. Freeman at 340-344-4516.