Crime

Homicides Rise 29 Percent Over 2019 in USVI as Governor Calls on Community to Speak Up

When Albert Bryan ran for governor of the Virgin Islands two years ago, curtailing crime in the territory was one of the cornerstones of his campaign. Today, gun violence continues to rise, and Mr. Bryan, like his predecessors, has found himself in a similar position: calling on the community to assist law enforcement in bringing criminals to justice. During the governor's Tuesday Covid-19 response update, Mr. Bryan said the community has a responsibility to help ascertain safety by reporting wrongdoing. "We have to stand as one people to establish wrong from right and discontinue our silent overlooking of wrong that happens in our community," he said. "Whether it's an illegal horse track, drag racing, prostitution, loitering in places where you don't belong, the illegal numbers game and the gambling houses, trespassing — all these things we have to say no more to as a community." Mr. Bryan's plea for community support comes days after 21-year-old Kadiyen Illidge was killed after bei...