TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, CMC – The Governor of the British Virgin Islands, John Rankin, says he is not inclined to seek outside help to stem the crime rate.
“This is a safe place to live and work, and it must remain so,” the governor said at a recent press conference. “But clearly, we need both a short-term and long-term response to the incidents which have occurred.”
Rankin commented as shootings continue to escalate in the territory, with the latest firearm-related incident this week leaving two victims wounded at Fish Bay.
The governor suggested that things may not be as extreme as some might think and pointed to several measures that he said were being undertaken to address the crime problem.
He added that while there has been some concern among residents over the spate of robberies and shootings that have taken place in recent months, overall, Fish Bay remains a low-crime community for most people in the territory.
The governor pointed to additional patrols by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) and the reopening of the East End and West End police stations as some of the measures directed toward the escalating crime rate.
He further noted that steps have been taken to strengthen the RVIPF’s marine unit on the islands of Anegada and Virgin Gorda. He said there is a broader law enforcement review that is currently underway.
“I do recall that after Hurricane Irma, where we faced an extreme situation, that assistance was received, including armed police officers coming from fellow overseas territories to assist in the territory,” Rankin said.
He added: “But should that further law enforcement review identify further needs, then I will look further with the Police Commissioner and the Premier on what further resources may be required, and of course, in an extreme situation, assistance would be looked at from outside.”
and then 