Senators advance bill to give law enforcement officers an extra component to advance crime fighting initiatives

ST. THOMAS – The Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety convened on Monday, February 28, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. on St. Croix at the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room. On the day’s agenda was one bill to be acted on and to receive updates from two government agencies.

Bill No. 34-0142 is a bill that provides for use of an automated license plate reader to collect, and store captured images and license plate data as crime fighting tools throughout the Virgin Islands. The Police Department in conjunction with the Virgin Islands Bureau of Information Technology will develop and maintain an automatic license plate reader system database. The information captured may be used for legitimate law enforcement purposes by law enforcement agencies and regulatory and administrative purposes by other governmental entities.

To provide testimony on the measure were the Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Barbara McIntosh, VI Police Commissioner, Ray Martinez, a representative from the Attorney General’s Office, and a representative from the Bureau of Information Technology. Overall, the panel liked the spirit and intent of the bill. A few minor tweaks were offered that came in the form of amendment 34-442. After debate time was over all seven members of the committee voted unanimously to advance the bill favorably to the Rules and Judiciary committee for further consideration.

Members of the committee include Chairman, Senator Steven Payne, Vice Chairman, Dwayne DeGraff, members: Senator Novelle Francis, Jr., Senator Kenneth Gittens, Senator Alma Francis Heyliger, Senator Javon James, Sr., and Senator Franklin Johnson.

The committee got updates from Director Daryl George of the Virgin Islands Fire Services about the department’s safety protocols, its training and certification status. Department of Human Services Commissioner Kimberley Causey Gomez discussed the Juvenile system and provided updates regarding the Youth Rehabilitation Center.