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Police Officials Peppered with Questions as Dozens Turn Out for Community Meeting

June 22, 2007 — More than 75 residents with questions about public safety voiced their frustrations with the VIPD Thursday night at the Pearl B. Larsen School on the eastern end of St. Croix in the fourth in a series of community meetings.
Poor response time by police was the most-repeated concern of the residents, most of whom live in the eastern part of the island. Other concerns included the lack of traffic enforcement, homeless people who impede traffic, illegal weapons and enforcement of animal-cruelty laws.
Before taking questions from the audience, Assistant Police Commissioner Novelle Francis lauded the deJongh administration for making "public safety a priority" in the Virgin Islands by giving the department a $59 million budget. "No other time in the history of the Police Department have we been given this amount," Francis said. "We have no excuse why we can't be productive and be able to serve the community."
Police Commissioner James McCall echoed Francis' statement, adding his thanks to the 27th Legislature for passing additional funding for the crime bill.
Several residents told stories of burglaries in their homes or in neighbors' homes where police did not respond for several hours. They called for police to reestablish a substation on the east end or assign patrol cars exclusively for that district.
"We are looking into two locations," McCall said. "In the very near future, there will be a substation." When pressed for a time line, McCall indicated his wish for a combined EMS, Fire and Police response team. "We are looking for a location to support all three," he said. "It will be more responsive to the community." This may take until the end of the year to accomplish, he admitted.
St. Croix Administrator Pedro Encarnacion recalled when police were assigned to the Cotton Valley Fire Station and suggested that policy be reinstated temporarily.
The homeless population and the hazards they sometimes cause to motorists worried several residents. Speakers recounted several incidents where homeless and mentally ill people jumped in front of traffic, exposed themselves and walked or even slept in the middle of roads.
"It’s a major problem," Francis said. "As a community we have to all work together. We are losing our island to a small group of people who are mentally ill and addicted to drugs."
Police Lt. Eric Thomas said officers pick up these people when called and take them to the clinic, where they are administered medication and subsequently released into the community.
"Christiansted used to be a fun place to be in the evenings; now its dead," said one resident expressing concern about the amount of illegal weapons on the streets.
McCall assured residents the department is involved with several initiatives to stem the tide of illegal weapons coming into the islands. "We know they are not manufactured here," McCall said. Weapons are brought to the territory through the mail and by tourists, and many arrive from targeted states like Florida, Georgia, Texas and Virginia, as well as from Bermuda and Brazil. Police efforts have seized 20 illegal weapons territory wide since May 20.
Another resident talked about a recent news story in which a dog was decapitated and burned. "What is happening with this?" she asked.
Capt. Floria Samuel said the incident is still under investigation. Francis acknowledged the seriousness of the crime and what it suggests about the person or people who committed it. "There is a lot more going on with that person, and if we don't follow up quickly, that person can be lost," he said.
Carmen Cintron, who had been very outspoken throughout the meeting, asked about the integrity of police officers following news reports of stolen police uniforms and bulletproof vests. "Police should be polygraphed to enforce integrity," she said.
Lyn Spencer asked the commissioner to increase police sensitivity in domestic-violence cases. Some officers make "veiled threats" to victims, and in some cases do not refer victim to advocacy agencies, she said. "This should be included in their training," Spencer said.
Domestic-violence sensitivity is a component of officers' training and will be included in the ongoing training of current police officers, said Training Director Doug Jones.
Toward the end of the two-hour meeting, Thomas issued a challenge to the residents. "What are you going to do about these problems?" he said. "We need to look after our neighbors; you need to be our eyes and ears."
Several residents gave their contact information to police, pledging to assist law enforcement in whatever way they can.
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