ROADTOWN Tortola, BVI, September 5th 2011 - This is according to Deputy Commissioner of Police David Morris who was speaking on “A Look At The Community”, a programme aired last evening Saturday September 3, 2011 on a local radio station.
The programme was organised by Main Street business owners, who are fed up with the constant criminal activities that occur along the commercial hub.
Data compiled by the Main Street business owners show that between February and August, 2011, there were approximately 25 break-ins to businesses.
Mr. Morris, in response to a question of what the Police intended to do to curb the break-ins, disclosed that as much as there is a call for increased foot patrols – it is difficult since there is a shortage in the Force.
“…unless we put an officer at every street corner and at the moment we are about 21 short. For the past two years we have been operating with about 195-200[officers]. We got eight applicants who were successful and are in Barbados doing training. We are also trying to get transfers of other officers from Caribbean countries to increase the numbers. This will give us a resilience to do more,” Mr. Morris told listeners.
He also divulged that the East End community is where most of the burglaries take place.
In addition to that, he admitted the way in which the Force responds to crime will be rectified shortly. At the moment if a crime is reported it goes through the Fire and Rescue Department, then to Road Town Police front desk.
However, with a Police Control Room coming on stream soon, all calls will be taken there and officers will be dispatched quicker, Mr. Morris added.
Meanwhile, Nina O’Neal and Brian Liverpool, guests on the programme, reiterated their concern over the rising spate of break-ins. Ms. O’Neal read out the businesses that were targeted which included cafes, trust companies, stores and a school.
She bemoaned that despite this some owners don’t communicate with each other and added “we are not getting any communications from the Police”.
In light of this, Mr. Liverpool, whose business was targeted twice, revealed that some owners are reluctant to report break-ins because of the perception that “nothing might come of it”.
“It may not necessarily be the right thing to do looking back, we out to follow up even if the Police don’t come through we need to pursue them to follow up. Nothing might come of it, but we want the Police to follow up, come and take statements…the standard procedures, fingerprints, photographs. You never know where it might lead to,” Mr. Liverpool stated.
The Main Streeters will hold a meeting on Thursday, September 8, 2011 at 5 pm at the St. Georges Anglican church hall.
Article taken from Virgin Islands News Online
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