V.I.P.D. Criminal Investigation Bureau Commander Naomi Joseph Photo Credit: VI CONSORTIUM
V.I.P.D. Criminal Investigation Bureau Commander Naomi Joseph on Tuesday afternoon called out the community for not doing enough to help bring criminals to justice.
Speaking during a press briefing held to discuss a homicide that occurred on Carlton Road in Frederiksted, St. Croix, CDR Joseph spoke passionately and bluntly about the lack of support from persons who have incriminating information about individuals suspected of perpetrating unlawful acts.
"You're holding the information to your chest while more people get harmed. I'm just asking please call 911, call Crime Stoppers, call 340-778-4950, call 340-712-6092. Call us. We need your help because we cannot solve crime without the bigger police force, you the community at large," she said.
The commander then spoke at length about the issue. "It's not us alone," she stated referring to the police force, "it's all of us."
She continued, "When the bullets are being fired in your celebration... It has no eyes. It doesn't care. It hits whoever is in its way. Today on that job site we had men and women working. We could have had more individuals harmed or killed.
"I'm asking again, if you know something to please say something. It's not just a slogan, it is really, actually something that we need in order to bring closure to families who want answers.
"There's always somebody who knows something and isn't saying it. So I'm truly reaching out and asking you guys to be involved, help us.
"With the recent rash of robberies, monies are being spent. People who you know ain't working nowhere coming home with cash. Mothers, fathers, you know that your child isn't working but he's coming home with money. He isn't working but he's now wearing jewelry; he isn't working nowhere be he's spending.
"I'm asking you to keep in mind today for me, tomorrow for you. In order for this thing to stop all of us have to be involved.
"I'm sorry if it seems as if I'm standing here and preaching like a pastor, but somebody [has] to. Somebody [has] to tell the truth. There's no way that we the V.I.P.D., the members of this police department can solve all these crimes without the community's help, and so we're asking you to get involved.
"This is your St. Croix. At the end of the day you want to walk all the beaches when you want, walk the street when you want, go to a club when you want and enjoy yourself without fear of being shot accidentally or on purpose. And the only [way] we can stop these things is if all of us work together."
Dep. Police Chief for the St. Croix District, Sean Santos, said the department is aware of the fear of one's identity being exposed. "But I could guarantee you that I have worked with the Investigations Bureau here for the V.I.P.D., and they keep this information to where they are not jeopardizing anyone," he said.
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