Legislator concerned about limited police on sister islands

Territorial At-Large Representative, Shereen Flax-Charles has expressed serious concern about inadequate police presence on some of the sister islands.

In an appearance before the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) late last year, the legislator said she is very concerned about the number of officers stationed in Anegada, Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda at any given time.

The legislator, who resides on Virgin Gorda, told the SFC that she visits all the sister islands frequently but can speak more about the situation on Virgin Gorda.

The Junior Minister recalled one occasion when she disembarked a ferry on Virgin Gorda and encountered a crowd. She said she proceeded to call the Virgin Gorda Police Station to get some assistance for crowd control in the area. But according to Flax-Charles, she was told that the officers were on another call. She told the SFC she receives that same answer very often when requesting police assistance on the sister island.

The legislator said even though she understands the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is a 24/7 operation, continuously hearing that the RVIPF is short-staffed was very concerning.

Flax-Charles further expressed that while she understands that there is a rise in crime in some areas, she is concerned about what would happen if the police are responding to one call while assailants are committing a serious crime elsewhere on the sister island.