While you may be on vacation or relaxing at the beach, thieves are still working, V.I National Park Enforcement Chief Rick Gupman said Tuesday.
“We’re reminding folks so they’re thinking about it,” he added.
There have been four incidents since December, he said, listing that someone smashed a vehicle window at Peace Hill, that someone made off with someone’s belongings off Hawksnest Beach and that someone stole items off a picnic table owned by a person exercising nearby. Gupman said that incident happened right outside the park’s Visitor Center in Cruz Bay “in broad daylight.”
And just recently, someone slit the soft top of a vehicle parked at Salt Pond. Gupman said the people had stashed their “high-dollar” stuff in the glove box but the thief got away with their belongings.
Gupman had some advice. “Leave you stuff at home if you can,” he said.
If you can’t, he suggested taking a look around to make sure no one is standing around “looking nonchalant” while checking out your vehicle.
As for stuff left on the beach, Gupman advised reaching out to people sitting on the towel next to you. He said let them know nobody should be going through your things.
“Just being friendly and talking to folks goes a long way,” he said.
He said to report incidents, call the park at 800-995-8467. He said that number rings in the park’s enforcement office at the Visitors Center in Cruz Bay and at the same time, on the enforcement rangers’ telephones.
