A local business owner has expressed frustration and called for immediate action regarding the presence of vagrants and purportedly mentally challenged individuals in Road Town. The call for action comes in the wake of an unsettling incident that occurred at the Spice BVI Trading shop front on Wednesday, which has been reported to the police.
A video capturing the incident shows an individual approaching an unattended cash register, opening it, and brazenly taking out a sum of money before swiftly exiting the premises. The disgruntled proprietor took to Facebook to share the incident, warning the small business community about a mentally ill person referred to as ‘Gladys.’
In the Facebook post, the business owner expressed their belief that the act was not a random occurrence but rather a calculated and possibly premeditated act. They highlighted the individual’s familiarity with the store’s operations, as they knew how to open the cash pan and selectively took only the larger bills. They further alleged that the swift and discreet manner in which the individual carried out the act indicated a level of intelligence and planning.
The business owner’s Facebook post directed attention towards the presence of such individuals in Road Town, urging the government to address the issue. They emphasized that the growing presence of such individuals is detrimental to the tourism industry and called for immediate action to be taken.
Expressing concern for the safety of the community, the post called out the lack of a proper institution to care for mentally ill individuals. The business owner questioned why previous calls for funding a suitable facility had gone unanswered, and stressed that innocent residents should not have to fall victim to the actions of mentally ill individuals before action is taken.
Additionally, the business owner appealed to the responsible authorities to take accountability for the individual captured in the video. They called for swift intervention to remove the individual from the streets and ensure that proper care and support are provided.