Lawlessness In The Virgin Islands
There was chaos at the D.C. Canegata ballpark last week when gunmen pulled off an armed robbery at the Stop and Save Store just across the street.
The kids were in the middle of a game when the sound of gunfire rang out, and players and parents scattered, not knowing where the shots were coming from or, more critically, where they might land.
Quick action by a Superior Court Marshall, who happened to be on the scene, and Police resulted in the swift apprehension of one of the gunmen, following a high speed chase that included more gunfire. A weapon believed used in the robbery was recovered and a suspect arrested. At this writing, one suspect remains at large.
Hardly a day goes by when our community is not subjected to some degree of violence involving weapons. If not in the commission of a crime, random gunfire is almost commonplace. In this case, fortunately, no bystanders were injured but just one stray bullet from the incident could have added a mortal twist to this story, and the victim may well have been a child.
We’ve all examined the reasons for crime in our community. Public Safety is an issue that never takes a holiday. But there is a root cause of this problem that seems so obvious but is so difficult to execute – and that is controlling the number of weapons that make their way onto the island in the first place.
Guns are not manufactured anywhere in the Territories. And my guess is that when the weapon recovered from this incident is identified, it won’t be one that was legally registered. So the question becomes how are so many deadly weapons coming in to the area without detection and what can we do to combat it?
Let’s be realistic. We live on an island and there are many ways for items to come and go undetected. But are we effectively controlling those areas where we do have the opportunity to find and seize weapons?
Our ports, both air and water, are the most obvious entry points where increased screening activity could make a difference in the number of weapons that are entering illegally. Perhaps it’s time for all the agencies involved in security in these areas to take a fresh look at how cargo is screened before its release. Sometimes simple solutions can go far in addressing complex problems.
More random searches and less reliance on content documentation that comes in with cargo may be a start; more thorough investigation of contents of all types, including routine shipments that do not on their face arouse suspicion may prove fruitful. These are steps that don’t require massive expenditures of funds or complex revamping of existing procedures – just increased vigilance with the staff and other resources we already possess.
As for the weapons that are already here, much stiffer consequences for the sale, possession and use of unlicensed firearms are one answer. But the most powerful weapon against these illegal weapons is the vigilance of the communities in which they’re being used. Aren’t we at least partially accountable for knowledge we may have when it comes to these activities? Surely it’s not only the criminals who know where to get the guns…
This is not a simple problem nor one that will be solved without the combined efforts of law enforcement and the community. But we have to start somewhere.
Big questions, tough answers. And while we continue to puzzle over the problem and shake our heads, the violence continues. A bullet has no conscience.
The potential for tragedy was dangerously close in the Stop and Save incident. Next time, we may not be so lucky.
The Governor need a plan to combat the criminal element in the Virgin Islands, My family and I are soooooooo terrified about being out after six in the evening. WHAT IS YOUR PLAN GOVERNOR?
do random search to every gas station on these island. check them food coming for those super markets they know who . Governor you have your people you protect stop it them arabs.
The problem is that there are too many guns in the hands of the bad guys and not enough in the hands of the good guys. If we law abiding citizens were allowed to carry weapons (with proper training, of course) as we are in 48 of the 50 states, then the criminals would begin to have second thoughts about being so brazen. You just don’t see this level of violent criminal activity up there except in the worst parts of the big cities. I guarantee they won’t stop just because we say, “please.” We need enforcement of the laws and penalties already on the books for criminal activity with guns and unlawful posession of firearms.
The last time I addressed Roger’s comments I was “kinda / sorta,” against his position on public safety. But this time I have to totally agree with his position. First off U.S. Customs and TSA harass travelers going to the Continental U.S., and I understand that they have a task at hand. However, these illegal guns, were not purchased from any gun dealer in the USVI, certainly not the Mack 10s or AK 47s which seem to be the new weapons of choice. We get hasseled on the airports for bringing home a few mangoes from our Eastern Caribbean neighbors, and the reasons dont fly very high with me, however if the same deligence was used around our shores, I am almost certain that there would be less guns or medication illegaly entering the territory.
Knowing many of the children there that day – the terror they felt was real. But let’s be realistic who will conduct these random searches, file the reports, and prosecute? In order for a government to lead, it must have an infrastructure that can lead by example, sustain and implement current laws, and dispose punishment or rehabilitation effectively. Now, do we have that? Please also consider the other issues that I truly believe are related to these crimes: lack of education, employment, financial resources, and the cost of living that continues to escalate. Again the issue of infrastructure comes up, poor public educational system, limited resources, immigration, and the perception that “we” are being marginalized (or what I phrase as “the lost of a sense of community/culture”) must be taken into consideration when venting our opinions. Punishment as a consequence can only work if used with a reward system for positive behavior. If we only punish, then “we” will be no more.