Feb. 9, 2008 — In hopes of offering more security to residents who come forward with information on major crimes within the community, Gov. John deJongh Jr. signed into law Friday a bill that would close off all meetings of the Witness Protection Board to the public and make all of the entity's records — except those submitted to the Legislature — confidential.
The bill, which passed unanimously in last month's legislative session, received much support from local officials during a recent Rules and Judiciary Committee meeting. Representing the Department of Justice, Deputy Attorney General Charlotte Poole-Davis said the bill addresses "issues of confidentiality, and assures the witness that he or she would not be risking their life if they speak up about what they know."
The Witness Protection Board was established in a comprehensive crime bill passed by the Legislature and subsequently signed into law by the governor about six months ago. The board consists of the local attorney general, police commissioner and a case agent.
In a letter sent Friday to Senate President Usie R. Richards explaining his decision, deJongh described the bill as a "positive and necessary move" that would "encourage more persons to come forward with information that would better equip our law enforcement officials to apprehend and prosecute persons in our community who insist on engaging in criminal activity."
DeJongh also signed into law a bill that calls for the government to ratify about $3.8 million in purchase orders executed by V.I. Fire Services for "specialized essential equipment" such as trucks, radios and breathing apparatuses. During a recent Senate hearing, Property and Procurement Commissioner Lynn Millin Maduro said most of the purchase orders have already been paid but need to be ratified by the Legislature because they did not go through the government's procurement process for services or items valued at more than $5,000.
Maduro said without the Legislature's approval, the purchase orders — which senators have dubbed as "illegal" or "improperly entered into contracts" — would be considered null and void.
Responding to senators' concerns, deJongh said in his letter to Richards that the "blatant failures of the government to comply with V.I. procurement code will not occur in the future."
DeJongh also commended senators on their resolution to honor long-time St. Croix educator Eulalie Rivera for her service to the community.
"She is one of the education giants in the Virgin Islands," the governor said Friday. "The facts of her life noted in the resolution clearly establish her dedication to her family, education, and culture in the Virgin Islands. I congratulate her on her 100th birthday and wholeheartedly agree that she is deserving of the recognition bestowed by the Legislature."
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