“We cannot allow them to dictate to us how policing is supposed to happen”
That was the position stated by the Representative for the 2nd District Honourable Melvin “Mitch” Turnbull as he shared growing concerns surrounding an inadequate presence of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force in his district.
Turnbull, who was addressing the House of Assembly at the time, said that the pattern of early closures of the police station in district two, which he noted as an active tourism area, cannot be allowed to continue. He also criticized the limited operating hours of the police station, which currently runs from 8 am to 4:30 pm, deeming it inadequate.
Reflecting on the present situation, Turnbull highlighted the potential challenges individuals could encounter when attempting to contact the police during times of danger. He firmly asserted that it is the responsibility of the Government of the Virgin Islands, as the entity responsible for funding the police force, to ensure that the RVIPF operates in a manner that guarantees the safety and security of all individuals in the Virgin Islands, whether they are belongers, residents, or visitors. The well-being of the community, he stressed, must be the utmost priority.