Ladies and gentlemen, we are here this morning as a collective body:
• to identify the underlying elements of crime;
• to examine the impact of crime on our Territory; and
• to begin the process of creating strategies that will deter and reduce future criminal activity.
As you know, I am enthused about building this ‘Great Little Nation’.
A ‘Great Little Nation’ where the Territory’s business leaders, religious leaders, neighbourhood activists and other prominent members in the community commit to doing their part to help combat crime.
A ‘Great Little Nation’ where regardless of our diversity we come together as one community to fight this crime disease with every ounce of our being.
A ‘Great Little Nation’ where crime becomes a stranger in our islands.
And, a ‘Great Little Nation’ where we are embracing decades of hard work built by a generation of visionaries who have laid the foundation for the BVI that is now the envy of our region.
But while this is so, and while we are basking in opportunities that a previous generation could never have dreamt of, we ladies and gentlemen, have lost sight of what it means to yearn for a better British Virgin Islands.
It could be said, that as we opened ourselves to the positive influences from outside our shores, we have run the risk of being infected with the ills of modern society.
It could be said, that the upsurge in crime and criminal activity is a result of us losing the foundation of which this Territory was built. Back in the day, moral structure, respect for each other and authority, and zero tolerance for violence were the norm.
Ladies and gentlemen, it could very well be that we are too much about our own business and not being too concerned with how others are affected by the decisions we make.
Over the years we have seen a disturbing increase in crime. While it may be said that we are still one of the safest countries in the western hemisphere, we have a lot of work to do.
We cannot afford to allow the incidence of crime to escalate further and get even more out of control, where it can be a deterrent to our economic growth and a threat to the citizens, residents and visitors alike.
Crime is affecting our businesses. It is threatening our borders. It is affecting our people. It is hampering our economic pillars.
We cannot afford to let crime undermine and rob us from our quality of life, where we are now afraid to live amongst each other, without fear.
When I was a boy growing up, I could remember us leaving the door unlocked for the cable man or plumber. Sometimes the neighbour would take two eggs from the refrigerator to bake a cake or bread and leave your piece on your kitchen counter. I can go on with these stories.
Now, here we are afraid to be in our homes, whether night or day. We are killing each other as guns and knives are becoming our only means of communication.
We are turning a blind eye and pointing our finger at the other person. We declare, it is not our business. We know the perpetrators, yet we do nothing.
We must avoid doing anything that would undermine the fabric of this community. It is where we live and work. It is where we make our livelihood.
We cannot build a better British Virgin Islands if our borders are threatened.
We cannot build a better British Virgin Islands if we do not have strategies in place to combat the movement of contrabands like illegal guns, drugs and cash.
And, we cannot build a better British Virgin Islands, if our youth, the future of this Territory are engaging in risky behaviours.
If we each do our part and be a civil people, we will once again experience a civil society.
We must make it clear that crime in the BVI must be met with swift and certain justice. If as a Territory we do not tackle this problem of crime heads on, it will reduce our confidence in ourselves as citizens and will surely deter the willingness of local and foreign investors to invest in our product. Additionally, it will undoubtedly cause our territory to be less attractive to visitors.
It is true, law enforcement officers must become more effective in deterring criminals, capturing lawbreakers and working with the community to instill trust and respect.
It is important as well to hold the National Security Council fully accountable for the effective implementation of a national strategy and action plan to maintain law and order.
This Government is 100 percent in support of maintaining law and order. We are committed to working with the Governor and law enforcement officers to ensure there is zero-tolerance to any crime.
It is the duty and responsibility of every citizen and resident to thrust their weight in the ring to fight against crime. We must begin by working with the police, customs and immigration officers, and other mitigation agencies –– and not against them.
We all have a role to play. Together we have to find the solutions and face violence and lawlessness with a zero-tolerance attitude. We have to join together and say with one voice: crime is not wanted here; then the battle can be won.
There was a time when we took responsibility for each other. We were held accountable for our actions. I remember the Honourable Premier, my colleague, once saying that the fight against crime does not begin in the streets, or in the courts or in the jails. It begins in the human heart.
This is a very serious. Where is our moral compass pointing? What has happened to right choices? That is the spirit that we must revive here in the BVI, a spirit of unity.
I am pleased that we are all here today; to convene a meeting to take a hard and serious look at the causes of crime in our community and to develop a strategy on combating this menace. Let us speak candidly today so that solutions are derived.
We must make sure that we are all unified in our resolve to keep crime from setting permanent roots in our society. We must win this battle. We have the strength and we have the will. That is the true spirit of the BVI and that is the future we must build together.
I commend the organisers for this timely conversation and I am pleased to see that people are so concerned that you are forming groups to help make a difference. Too often we think it is for Government to do, but the reality is, we all have to do our part to achieve the change we envision.
God bless you and God bless these beautiful British Virgin Islands.
Thank you
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