Springer Calls Administration Response To Coki Point Shooting The “Politics Of Public Safety”
CIF President Michael J. Springer, Jr.
Crucians In Focus President Michael Springer today blasted the so called tourist protection program put forth on Thursday by Governor John P. deJongh, Jr, and Police Commissioner Novelle Francis.
Calling it the “Politics of Public Safety,” Springer called the Administration’s comprehensive plan to clean up Coki Point beach after the July 12 shootout in which a tourist was killed “segregationist” and warned that this approach would not have the desired effect.
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In his news conference on Thursday, deJongh outlined the plan that will close Coki Point Beach for 10 days while several significant changes will be made in response to the shooting incident, including an increased police presence, debris removal, landscaping, and bathhouse construction. Pay no mind to the number of critical projects underway by government agencies for the local communities. Apparently no expense, human or monetary, will be spared.
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And although he has been nearly invisible as the previous 44 murders have occurred this year, deJongh now calls for heightened performance from the police In addressing the issue and that there would be three policemen, mobile and on foot, that would be permanently assigned to the Coki Point Beach area.
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Even Police Commissioner Novelle Francis, in speaking of the steps he and his department will make, never once referred to the safety of the local community when making his remarks.
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Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr.
Springer said the strength and intensity of the government response to the death of a tourist, after their indifference to the rash of crime that has been sweeping the Territory shows the disparity in priorities between the well-being of the local population and the tourists.
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Commissioner of Police Novelle E. Francis
Springer sharply criticized Francis for allowing the “bureaucracy” of politics to interfere with the public safety of the community.
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Springer warned that this inconsistent application of public protection and the expanding gap between considerations made for those from the outside while those on the inside suffer will do no more than exacerbate the sharply escalating crime and tension in the community.
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The commissioner should have never went there, I supported him I feel bad with his statements
I feel proud that our native son, Commissioner Francis,has responded to the shooting. His statement is touching. He will be cherished for his sincerity,humanity and courage. A true hero!
I applaud you for standing up and telling it like it is. The longer we live this fairy tale – that the almighty tourist takes precedence over the safety and lively hood of our own people – those people who SERVE the tourists – who make the tourism possible – the longer we will have our people being killed in the streets and the mall.
It is reprehensible that the Governor and the Delegate to Congress have only recently taken a strong interest in the deadly situation we live in. I suppose there may not be as much crime up in Mafoliegate as there is down near the official Governor’s residence.
It is the dichotomy of the REAL reality and the reality seen by our elected officials that has allowed over 40 of our own to die violent deaths before something is addressed.
Maybe those officials should hang out on G Street on Friday night. Maybe they should see the black and blue marks left upon both men and women as a result of the increasing domestic violence that is happening in our world. Maybe they should get in touch with what is happening in the lives of their constituents and in touch with the world they’ve created and fostered for their constituents by their lack of decisive positive actions to curb crime, prevent guns from entering the Territory, and demanding punishments fitting the crimes perpetrated.
Perhaps this is the time for them to say GOODBYE.
If the Governor and his administration is going to clean up and place cameras on Coki Point Beach, I suggest he first must placed cameras in all areas of St. Thomas, that had previous murders, such as Anna’s Retreat, Nadir, Bovoni, Kerwin Terrace, etc. Also, he needs a comprehensive plans for high school drop out.
People wake up, this is more than Coki Point Beach, don’t forget “Thatch Key” is just across from Coki Beach, and there’s that lady, maybe the manager of Coral World who fenced off portion of the beach, who when one parks at Coral World “boots” your vehicle.
WAKE UP, STOP SLEEPING.
This has been John de Jongh’s plan from the very beginning.
1) De Jongh’s uncle and cousin ‘the de Jongh group’ have the contract to develop Thatch Key.
2) That ‘woman’ for Coral World is huge de Jongh campaign supporter.
3) Remember that Bill (if any recalls the bill number please post it on this site) that passed in the Senate 3 yrs ago, that allows the Government to take away a citizen’s private land for the growth of PRIVATE BUISINESSES (in essence Large Corporation like Diageo).
Well, John de Jongh will be forcing the Smith Bay residence to sell their land to the Government. All individuals (locals) that live in the area of Coral World/Coki Beach will be forced to give up their property.
The Smith Bay Area will officially be a NO BLACK OR ONLY RICH ZONE.
PEOPLE IT IS TIME TO PUT A STOP TO JOHN DE JONGH!
4) Once Jongh de is able to bully the residences of Smith Bay and force them to give up their property. De Jongh is planning on buliding a ‘boardwalk’ and allowing the tourist shops to utilize the property at their convinience. It will be just like Main Street (I wonder if they will call it Smith street?)
Connect the dots people. John de Jongh is calculated, greedy and corrupt. He plans on doing any and everything to ensure his wealth and the wealth of his friends.
The people of the VI are innocent victims caught in the middle of John de Jongh’s schemes. He plans on destroying us in the process.
Anyone in government whose actions perpetuate or prevent a solution to the problems we face within the Territory needs to be BOOTED!! You are either part of the problem or part of the solution.
This plan for Coki Point has been in the making for a long time, and the reason is THATCH KEY and the owners of CORAL WORLD and THE DEJONGH FAMILY. they feel that local poor people should not own any property on the beach, it is just too good for them! just remember Thatch Key and Coral World and you will know why this is all happening. This is a sad day for all of us in the VI.
Everything you are saying is true.
The lady for Coral World was at the Dejongh function last night. This is a fact. She built an illegal fence on the beach.
The plan is too rid Coki of locals and close Coral World to the public. They want Coki/Coral world to be the launching point for the luxury development planned for Thatch Cay.
Now ask yourself… Who was the public figure most against building houses on Thatch?
Who was it that reported the illegal fence?
They are the same person and it was Sen Donostorg. This primary is good versus evil.
As i said b 4, DUMMISSIONER Novelle Francis, ignored like many other areas in the territory, the need for a sanitized and spring cleaning of locations like these. Everyone who visited coki beach can look around and say that the VIPD is NOT doing their jobs.
The daily snooze reported and print pictures of our very own VIPD officers drinking beer while on duty at the same coki point beach nearby bar. So hear me DUMMISSIONER Novelle Francis-YOU CANNOT HAVE DRUG DEALERS/USERS ON THE SAME COKI BEACH WITHIN 500 FEET OF EACH OTHER. DUH!!! BLAME YOURSELF DUMMISSIONER.
And if Governor de DUMB knew about these pre-existing conditions, he is just as stupid as the dummissioner. Resign your positions IMMEDIATELY.
What are we paying you all for? to fail or to fix?
We seem to pay them to steal. Right John?
Calm down Foncie. You’re getting your turn in another 5-6 months. We’re going to elect you as our next governor.
Coki beach people are upset with the Administration. Some have threatened to stone Barbara “Sticky Finger” Petersen for her stupid remarks. Can someone please elaborate on Barbara’s comment about Leslie Commissiong hitting it with the “Baseman” in contact? As she continues to attack Springer, Recon, Edwin, Dewayne, Mario, Jimmy, Jahmila, and others I think she should know we are on to her and her antics. We know about your bad deeds. Can someone please let Commissiong know we are ready to provide some information about the Baseman in Contant, and her gambling habits on back street. Why did you pay the Lottery money back? We are getting ready to provide Dem man say with some valuable information on your dealings so stay tuned. Things that will make you go hummmmmm.
Please, I would like to know what Sticky fingers comments were? You don’t have to go into details. But please at least generalize.
As for Leslie, she is a dirty mess.
Jesus, Springer could you bash the governor any more? The political system hasn’t worked for decades, what’s the guy supposed to do? He’s a politician, not a magician.
By keeping tourists safe are we not keeping the VI public safe as well? Tourists are the lifeblood of the USVI. Hovensa can only carry so much financial burden, and since most Virgin Islanders would rather sit around and complain instead of working, they have no $$$ to spend. Crucians can’t even afford to eat at Wendys. So yes, we had darn well better keep the tourists safe for their sake and ours. Jah Bless the tourist. No tourists and we’ll all be back to growing sugar cane.
Actually, Contractor, we should be in the business of growing sugar cane. Since we have to purchase and provide Diageo with all the molasses they need free of charge. We could have been growing our own sugar and making our own molasses. Eureka! We would have created an econimically sustainable industry on St Croix which has nothing to do with the FAILING TOURISM industry on the big island.
Unfortunately, de Jongh lacks the brain and foresight for such ventures. Hence the jokey one sided contract we have with Diageo. Everything for Diageo and nothing for us.
Anonymous@1:30pm = Agree wholeheartedly!
Contractor – while the state of safety in the Territory has been degrading for some time – It has gotten significantly worse within the last 4 years. Making it safe for us residents should have been happening right along – and that WOULD HAVE made it safer for all tourists. Shouldn’t be the other way around. And since DeJongh came in and had a budget that was in the black and has spent us into borrowing up to $750 MILLION in the last 2 years – and we are losing people to murders at a higher rate each year….. but he’s safe in his Mafolie home that our tax dollars covered. Not to mention there is still that consent decree for the VIPD that needs to be met…
Whether it is Mr. Springer or others that point out the downfalls and inconsistencies (well, incongruities is a better word) of taking care of the residents of the Territory and taking care of yourself and CYA’ing, it needs to be done – people SHOULD speak out about what is wrong – but they need to be ready to not just speak out – but to take actions to correct what is wrong.
I don’t like working in the fields. It’s hot. You grow the cane, I’ll fix the farm equipment in the air conditioned warehouse.
Public safety should be the number one concern for all, residents and visitors alike. No one should have to die at the hand of a thug with a vendetta. I don’t see how the governor can be blamed for that. Bring a swift, strong punishment to those who murder and perhaps we can get this thing under control. Bring that sheriff from Arizona down here and let him clean things up. We should also be talking about the death penalty. You murder, you die.
de Jongh should be blamed because he lacks the ability to lead effectively. Without an effective leader things will only get worse.
Speaking of STX tourism, how is it that cruise lines pulled all ships alleging high crime in STX but simply pull one excursion when a tourist dies in the crossfire of a shooting near a popular tourist destination? Governor deJongh, do you know the answer?
@Contractor: The governor sold himself to the voting public not only as a magician, but also as a competent leader who would change the crooked ways of the past. Seems like we are going the same direction