In response to the recent armed robbery at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park, Minister of Communications and Works, Honourable Kye Rymer, convened an emergency meeting this week with key stakeholders to address the incident and collaborate on robust strategies to enhance security measures at the popular site.
The agencies represented at the meeting included British Virgin Islands Ports Authority (BVIPA) and the Tortola Pier Park Ltd (TPPL), the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB) and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).
One of the primary objectives of the meeting was to ensure the safety of the park and its users.
In a press release, it was revealed that in support of the ongoing investigations by the Royal Virgin Islands Police, Tortola Pier Park Ltd and the BVI Ports Authority have provided full access to the park’s CCTV cameras. This aims to assist the police in their efforts to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
As a proactive step to address concerns arising from the incident, a thorough security audit of the park has been commissioned. The audit will assess the existing security protocols and systems, identify vulnerabilities, and propose necessary enhancements to fortify the park’s security infrastructure.
The resulting comprehensive audit report is expected to be presented to Honourable Kye Rymer and the Boards of both BVIPA and TPPL on July 10, 2023. This report will serve as a blueprint for further initiatives to strengthen the security capabilities of the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park.
During the audit process, the Ministry has proactively requested additional support from the RVIPF to augment the security presence at Pier Park. This measure aims to reinforce public confidence in the park’s security while balancing the guest experience until the audit is concluded.