PBA Says Officers Earning About $20 an Hour Can’t Keep Roads Safe Without Stronger Laws and Pay

The police union warns that underpaid and overworked officers face strained morale, recruitment, & effectiveness, with some relying on overtime, second jobs, or unstable living conditions, arguing that safer roads require tougher laws & fair compensation.

Amid growing concern over traffic fatalities in the Virgin Islands, the Policemen’s Benevolent Association is calling for sweeping legislative action, increased enforcement resources, and meaningful pay reform for law enforcement officers, arguing that public safety cannot be improved through awareness campaigns alone.

In an official statement released this week, the PBA acknowledged and welcomed a recent public statement by Avery L. Lewis addressing what the union described as “tragic and preventable traffic fatalities” that have deeply affected the community. The association said it joins in extending condolences to the families impacted, noting that “every life lost on our roadways is one too many.”

While recognizing the importance of public appeals encouraging motorists to slow down and obey traffic laws, the PBA said such messages are no longer sufficient given the scale of reckless driving and excessive speeding occurring across the territory.