Crime

Police Commissioner Says Crime Cycle Will Continue While Residents Shield Offenders and Expose VIPD Operations

Police Commissioner Mario Brooks says the V.I. Police Department can intensify patrols, make arrests and deploy increasingly sophisticated crime-fighting technology, but the territory will struggle to break its cycle of violence as long as people warn offenders about police operations, shelter wanted individuals and respond to violence with retaliation. That was the commissioner's message during Monday's Government House press briefing, where he discussed VIPD's ongoing 90-day crime-surge initiative. Mr. Brooks said the operation has already resulted in arrests and the detention of people investigators consider persons of interest. “We’ve made several arrests, and taken several persons of interest into custody,” he said. VIPD intends to continue the initiative through the Crucian Christmas Festival season and beyond if necessary, Mr. Brooks said. But even as officers increase their presence, the commissioner said some members of the public have been actively making law enforcement's...