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Feb. 6, 2007 – Senator-at-Large Carmen Wesselhoft has called on Governer John de Jongh for the immediate appointment of a Police Commissioner.
Wesselhoft, Chairwoman of the 27th Legislature’s Committee on Public Safety, Homeland Security and Justice, said it is essential that a strong leader be placed at the helm of the Police Department.
“Today’s tragic shooting of a Charlotte Amalie High School student is indicative of the violence and lawlessness that is becoming so pervasive in our community,” Wesselhoft said. “My heart goes out to the families of all those involved and to the many students who are traumatized by something like this.”
The Senator-at-Large said she has been anxiously awaiting de Jongh’s announcement of a Police Commissioner since his swearing in on January 1. “I called for the appointment of a Police Commissioner following the State of the Territory address,” she said. “We can not expect the Department to function at optimal levels without someone in charge. It is clear that morale is very low and that violent crime is out of control, yet no true reform can take place without the appointment of a permanent Police Commissioner.”
Wesselhoft told the Governor that the Virgin Islands was at a critical juncture in terms of public safety.
“As a mother, a senator and a Virgin Islander I am simply outraged at the level of wanton violence in our streets. I am absolutely horrified by today’s shooting at Charlotte Amalie High School. And since your swearing-in innocent bystanders were shot in broad daylight at Tutu Mall and young people on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John have already lost their lives this year. We must take immediate action to get a handle on the crime situation, especially gun crimes. Further, we must not forget that we are a nation at war and the international political situation and ongoing terrorist threat dictate 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. How can we truly be ready without a Police Commissioner at the helm? Our primary duty as a Government is to protect the life and property of our citizens and revitalizing the Department of Public Safety must be our highest priority,” Wesselhoft wrote.
