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HomeNewsArchivesFYI: Sen. Wesselhoft Wants a Police Commissioner Appointed

FYI: Sen. Wesselhoft Wants a Police Commissioner Appointed

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Jan. 23, 2007 – Carmen Wesselhoft, Virgin Islands Senator-at-Large, said Monday evening that she was largely impressed with Governor deJongh’s State of the Territory address.
However, she expressed concern about the need to appoint a Police Commissioner.
“I was hoping this would be announced in his State of the Territory speech,” Wesselhoft said. “We are at such a critical time here in terms of public safety and our police officers need support and strong leadership. We can not afford to wait.”
Wesselhoft, who chairs the 27th Legislature’s Committee on Public Safety, Homeland Security & Justice, said she looks forward to establishing a good working relationship with the Administration in general and the new Police Commissioner, in particular.
“We have a lot of work ahead of us,” the Senator-at-Large said. “I am outraged that innocent bystanders were shot in broad daylight at Tutu Mall just last weekend. We must immediately take action to get a handle on the crime situation, especially gun crimes.”
Wesselhoft said that the international political situation dictates a great deal more take place in assuring the security of Virgin Islands borders and developing plans in the event of any kind of disaster or emergency.
“Our primary duty as a Government is to protect the life and property of our citizens,” Wesselhoft said. “I agree with the Governor that we must reinvigorate and rebuild our police force. I was also pleased to hear that deJongh supported my plan for a state of the art Crime Lab. I believe this lab should be built on the island of St. Croix in conjunction with a police academy and firearms range.”
Wesselhoft also agreed with deJongh’s assessment of the territory’s social problems.
“We are, indeed, failing our students, the homeless, the mentally ill and our seniors,” she said.
The Senator-at-Large said that she would have liked to hear more from deJongh about plans for St. John and his strategy for assisting the Territory’s fishermen.
“St. John is experiencing some serious growing pains and social problems right now,” she said. “It is essential we get projects such as the St. John hemodialysis unit underway. And while deJongh did mention the fishing industry, I think we need to give this much more attention as it is so crucial to both our economy and our culture.”
Wesselhoft, who is the 27th Legislature’s Liaison to the U.S Interior Department, was pleased to hear that deJongh would be establishing an office of Federal Relations.
“Overall, I think he made a good presentation,” she said. “I agree with his closing sentiment about placing performance ahead of politics. I look forward to establishing a productive relationship with the deJongh Administration.”

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