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May 30, 2008 – Senator Basil C. Ottley Jr. is requesting an emergency summit on Poverty and Crime in the United States Virgin Islands. Last week there was a homicide every day, and there were an extraordinarily large number of robberies committed on both businesses and individuals along with a number of reported sexual assaults, and wanton acts of violence. The crime wave rose just after there was a Police Week commemoration on May 16, 2008.
"It is with great concern that I express sentiments of outrage and shock to the territory and all of the families touched by crime in 2008, especially last week. The early dawn attack at the Juan Luis Hospital is the pinnacle and confirmation that violent offenders are on the offensive."
To adequately address the issue of crime, we must understand that crime is the violation of rule or law for which punishment is prescribed by society. The rise in crime in our territory is the result or manifestation of other entrenched problems which we have managed to hide away in dark closets and ignored for far too long. There are many variables and social dynamic which may influence this escalation; however the predominant factor is poverty. Poverty is defined as the deprivation of those things that determines the quality of life, which includes food, clothing, shelter and, also such intangibles as the opportunity to learn and to enjoy the respect of fellow citizens. Our Government acknowledgement of maladies such as poverty is the basis for resolutions that can beak the cycle of poverty in our community.
"Effects of poverty touch the entire community, but the most long lasting costs are exacted from our children". Senator Ottley stated. It is a known fact that children growing up poor are less likely to escape low skill/low wage cycle of poverty and their children are also far less able to escape poverty's long term costs of: single parent families, substandard housing, health problems, behavioral problems, difficulty in school, high drop out rates, involvement in crime and brain drain which further undermines the community's ability to improve its situation; hence, creating a devastating economic and social cycle which we observe everyday in our communities.
As the economic pressures bear down more and more on our territory, the weakening threads are finally showing their tension. The facts that the USVI has a higher poverty rate (27.4% vs. US of 12.7%) and a rate of children living in poverty of 35%, higher than any state in the United States, makes you pause. It fades, however, when considering the fact that the number is possibly understated rather than overstated. In addition, the fact that over 14% of teens (16-19) do not attend school or work; along with the established fact that the cost of living in the US Virgin Islands is recognized as the highest in the nation and that federal workers living in the Virgin Islands receive a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) of over 22.5% increase in their salaries in recognition of the higher costs of living in the US Virgin Islands; implies that the poverty levels considering other variables is significantly higher than we would dare admit.
Poverty is the greatest threat to the well being of Virgin Islanders. The causes and consequences of poverty impact us all everyday. We see the effects of it everyday on every neighborhood corner throughout the territory. The problem is further exacerbated by the fact that people living in poverty may be more susceptible to extremist views because they have lost faith and respect in authority.
"I am calling on all relevant federal and territorial agencies to meet and work out a common strategy to fight Poverty and Crime in our community" Senator Ottley stated.
"In my assessment", Senator Ottley stated, "The first step towards addressing the issues of poverty, crime and the economy is by developing a body of statistical knowledge which would provide a guide to educators, stakeholders as well legislators in developing responsive and responsible effective public policy. I call this "The Virgin Islands Wage Study".
