VIPD Anticipates Increase in Traffic Patrols Will Result in Reduction of Violent Crimes

Chief Sean Santos highlights focus on illegal ATVs, tinted windows, and unregistered vehicles, along with leveraging ShotSpotter technology to enhance safety and reduce homicides in the Virgin Islands

The V.I. Police Department is confident that their territory-wide effort to clamp down on traffic violations will bear fruit in reducing the scourge of violent crime in the Virgin Islands. That’s according to Chief of Police for the St. Croix District, Sean Santos.

“These small initiatives usually result in gun arrests on the potential reduction of homicides in a territory,” he explained, speaking during the Government House weekly press briefing. The VIPD is making a more concerted effort to take action against infractions including “vehicles that are traveling our roadways that are heavily tinted, passengers operating vehicles without any seatbelts, [and] unregistered vehicles.” The police department also intends to crack down on the prevalence of illegal ATVs riding on roadways, and vehicles transporting children without the requisite protection, like seatbelts and car seats.