81.7 F
Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsLocal newsBryan Asks Community to Come Forward with Homicide Info

Bryan Asks Community to Come Forward with Homicide Info

Gov. Albert Bryan speaks about the coronavirus in this March photo. (File photo by Susan Ellis)
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. (Source file photo by Susan Ellis)

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. began his weekly COVID-19 briefing on Monday with a plea to residents to unite against the gun violence that has been plaguing the territory and come forward with information about recent homicides.

“Today, I want to address another serious public health and safety issue here in our territory. That matter is gun violence,” Bryan said. “Unfortunately, we have lost eight people to the coronavirus here in the territory since we officially began our response in March. In that same timeframe, we have lost almost three times as many Virgin Islanders to senseless gun violence.”

Bryan said it is easy to point the finger at law enforcement, but the hard truth is that no law enforcement strategy that does not involve information and cooperation from the community will stop gun violence from reoccurring.

“The VIPD is working hard and is making progress in apprehending many of these violent offenders, but they can use your help,” Bryan said, citing the $15,000 reward offered for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators of the Hospital Ground shootings in April, and the $60,000 reward for information about the murders of Aaron and Rique Ashby in Tutu Valley last month.

Residents can report a crime by calling 911 or use the anonymous tip line, Crime Stoppers USVI, at 1-800-222- 8477. Information that helps resolve a case can make the caller eligible for an anonymous cash reward.

The governor also called on the community to come out in support of pending legislation that could help tackle some of the root causes of gun violence in the territory, including a series of initiatives to improve mental health services and public access to them. A bill to merge Fire Service and Emergency Medical Services under the Health Department has also not been acted upon, which Bryan said would help increase response time to crime scenes. He also advocated for the passage of a bill reactivating the While Collar Crime Unit under the V.I. Attorney General’s Office and a Mass Gatherings Act that could eliminate situations in which fights and shootings can break out.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.