Dear Source:
As we move towards a better economic and safe community, the crime issues we are faced with have crippled the very fabric of what we call prosperity. Virgin Islanders have always been proud hard working individuals and enjoyed what the public and private sector had to offer its people. We have a new police commissioner Mr. White who is from a long line of police leaders working hard to get a handle on the influx of crime that have plagued our communities. This cannot be done without the help from the community. The development of a partnership with the police department and the community is a key component in developing crime fighting strategies in which intervention programs can be used to curb the problem. We have a problem with recycling the same old police leaders without having new ideas to help with the problem. Experienced police leaders should have the skills, knowledge, and cognitive abilities to bring new ideas in which can move the police department and community forward towards a safe environment. How long have we been in this fight towards a safer community and it seems we are not moving forward. We often change police commissioners, police chiefs, deputy chiefs, and department heads in the hopes of a more efficient police department, but has it help to curb the crime problem? do you feel safer in your in the community or in your homes?
Recently the Department of Tourism put out some wonderful ads displaying the U.S.Virgin Islands in all its splendor. They were some of the best ads I have ever seen. The problem is, some of the responses to the ads were negative, as many people had a issue with the crime level in the Virgin Islands, which may have a negative effect on what the ads attempt to do; which is to get visitors to the U.S. Virgin Islands. We have to get a handle on the crime issues, the criminals have to know "they cannot win"; the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands cannot allow the criminals to retard economic growth and prosperity of the people. They should put on notice that the community and the police department are tired of crime making headline News. The new headlines should read" the U.S. Virgin Islands have moved towards prosperity and economic growth through community and police partnership in crime fighting intervention programs."
We must take back our communities and let the criminals know they have no place to hide, let us as a community work with the police department and be proactive in fighting crime. The community must take a more active part in doing their part in reducing crime, do not wait for crimes to happen to get involve, get involved now and start community watch programs, have community meetings with police leaders, and mention your concerns, ideas and, develop an action plan for a safer community. The criminals have to be aware that crime will have consequences and the police and community "will not let you win" the community belongs to the people and we are taking it back.
Kevin Hewitt MSCJ
Recently the Department of Tourism put out some wonderful ads displaying the U.S.Virgin Islands in all its splendor. They were some of the best ads I have ever seen. The problem is, some of the responses to the ads were negative, as many people had a issue with the crime level in the Virgin Islands, which may have a negative effect on what the ads attempt to do; which is to get visitors to the U.S. Virgin Islands. We have to get a handle on the crime issues, the criminals have to know "they cannot win"; the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands cannot allow the criminals to retard economic growth and prosperity of the people. They should put on notice that the community and the police department are tired of crime making headline News. The new headlines should read" the U.S. Virgin Islands have moved towards prosperity and economic growth through community and police partnership in crime fighting intervention programs."
We must take back our communities and let the criminals know they have no place to hide, let us as a community work with the police department and be proactive in fighting crime. The community must take a more active part in doing their part in reducing crime, do not wait for crimes to happen to get involve, get involved now and start community watch programs, have community meetings with police leaders, and mention your concerns, ideas and, develop an action plan for a safer community. The criminals have to be aware that crime will have consequences and the police and community "will not let you win" the community belongs to the people and we are taking it back.
Kevin Hewitt MSCJ
