Dear Source:
I would like to congratulate the VIPD for capturing two dangerous criminals and the recovery of dangerous firearms. It is unfortunate that a passerby got injured in the shootout. The suspects, from the police report, began shooting at the police while they were pursued by the police. In the vicinity of Fort Mylner a female motorist got injured in the shoot out when a bullet penetrated her vehicle.
It appeared to be big drama with sirens blasting back on forth and the Eastern lane on the Brookman Road from the Tutu intersection was blocked for several hours. It is believed that one or more suspects were from St. Croix. The incident took place in broad daylight, about 3 p.m. No wonder so many residents are scared to go leave their residences. Is that the way residents should live in this free and democratic society? Is there no remedy? Is there any vision or strategy for dealing with the wave of violent crimes in our community? What are our elected representatives saying or more importantly, what are they doing to address the lawlessness in our community? Is this why we elected them, to be silent in this time of crisis? Is it their only concern to be reelected in spite of their lack of leadership, their lack of vision?
We the citizens, residents of these Virgin Islands better wake up from our doldrums and begin talking with each other about ways we can get our public servants to exercise their statutory duties and protect the community. This applies to all three branches of government. They have to stop the in-fighting for power and start doing a credible job of addressing the law enforcement and criminal crisis confronting us. It was reported that eight off island police officers were recruited to complement the local police, this is not new, it was done before, let the record speak for itself and reveal how effective it was. We need a comprehensive approach to law enforcement in the community. We need effective and consistent law enforcement of all laws and regulations and successful prosecution of cases. The judges' needs to be conscious of what the community needs are, such as protection from criminal elements.
All crimes should be vigorously prosecuted impartially, this include white collar crimes, pink collar crimes and blue collar crimes. We need good leadership from the top. These current politicians fail to realize they "can fool some of the people most of the time but they cannot fool all the people all the time." When the local residents decides enough is enough and began to take steps to protect themselves due to the failure of the government to protect them, and ultimately hold those derelict public servants accountable for the unsafe state of our community, maybe, just maybe they may react positively and began earning their pay. We the people have the power, and we can make a difference if we come together and take decisive actions. Power to the people!
J. J. Estemac
St. Thomas
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