Shell casings on crime scene. Photo Credit: GETTY IMAGES
With increase criminal offenses occurring in and or around the vicinities of parking lots and gas stations, Sean Santos Sr, the St. Croix district chief of police wants residents of the Virgin Islands to be cognizant of their surroundings, especially for this holiday season.
“As you go out to conduct shopping within the territory, be cognizant of your surroundings," Chief Santos said during a briefing on Friday in which the V.I. Police Department updated the community on the results of directed patrols, operations, and investigations on St. Croix. "While traversing back and forth from the parking lots maintain safety, get off your cell phones while you're walking to your vehicles. Be aware, be cognizant of your surroundings at all times."
“As you go from the store to your car, have your keys in hand, make sure that you have your keys with you and everybody is in place. Go straight to your car, get your items in the car, lock your doors and prepare yourself to start to operate your vehicle,” he recommended to residents who will be commuting and shopping during the holidays.
He used the occasion to remind citizens that as they go out to enjoy the company of friends, family, and loved ones to stay vigilant and safe. “And remember that we are still adhering to the Covid-19 protocols,” he said.
St. Croix District Police Chief Sean Santos on Friday, Dec. 10 2021 warned the Virgin Islands public not to linger at gas stations and parking lots, as those areas have seen an increase in crime criminal activity. (Credit: VI Consortium)
Elaborating on the risks of socializing in parking lots, Chief Santos stated, “This thing about lingering around in the parking lot, ladies and gentlemen we have to stop that. There are too many cases that we are having right now… where high crimes are committed in parking lots.”
“When you may think that staying or sitting in your car is the safest place to be it is not, this is not the time like back in the 80s and 90s; we are not back in those days where everything was much safer, as times have changed,” he scolded.
“I would like to plea to the members of this Virgin Islands community, as you go out and enjoy the festivities and enjoy yourself with your family and loved ones to be safe, stay in large groups if possible, do not linger in parking lots, try to park in well-lit areas. If you see something say something, if you don’t feel safe call 911 and we will be sending officers out there to assist you,” he said.
Stressing the importance of personal safety, Chief Santos called for citizens to be extra safe for both the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. “Be extra vigilant, exercise safety at all times, and stop hanging out in these parking lots. Go to these establishments, conduct your business and head out,” he said while explaining that the same threats at parking lots exist at gas stations when there is informal mass gathering.
The chief said the department would start sending police officers to disperse crowds at gas stations if the gatherings persist, "because if you're not going to the gas station to conduct business and you're just standing around there, you are making yourself a target,” he said.
“So, whenever you're out there, you're doing your shopping or any type of business — if you are at the bar or any type of establishment of the sort, once you're in the parking lots you will be approached by law enforcement,” he warned.
“If you don’t want to be harassed like the people always say, don’t be hanging out in the parking lots, please. Go inside, enjoy yourself at the establishment and leave when you are done but hanging out at the parking lots and cars, please ladies and gentlemen we need to cut that out because that is now becoming a problem,” Chief Santos said.
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