I want to take this time to wish the residents and visitors of the Virgin Islands a very Happy and Safe Holiday Season with the Best Wishes for the coming New Year. Whether you and your family observe Christmas, Hanukah, or Kwanzaa, let us mark this Season by joining together in the spirit of celebration, cooperation and respect as we look forward to the arrival of this New Year in 2010. I personally have high hopes for the coming year. Since my appointment as Police Commissioner, this past May by Governor John de Jongh Jr., and then my confirmation by the Senate in September, I have adhered the principle of strict enforcement of all laws. I assumed the helm of this department, after 22 years of service, and I understand the potential of the VIPD to protect the people and safeguard our streets, during the Holidays and every day.
One thing I know is that Every day is what you make it; your destiny and your happiness are in your hands and within your grasp. I also believe that with hard work, dedication and being true to yourself — in thought, word and deed — good things will happen and will continue to happen to you. My wish for the New Year is that everyone in the Virgin Islands radiate positivity and good will to each other. It is a simple request, but if we all work together to do what is just, and what is right, then we can create a home-place that is truly Paradise.
As 2009 comes to a close, unfortunately, there are people in our community who are entertaining thoughts of destruction toward their fellow man; we are mindful that too often acts of violence have marked the closing of the outgoing year in the Virgin Islands. I am issuing a clear warning to those individuals, or groups, that may be planning acts of retaliation for what you consider past offenses — Think Before You Act!
Think seriously about the consequences your criminal actions will bring. Think about the pain and suffering that will be caused to your victim, their family, your family, and the community at large. Think whether you can live knowing that you have the blood of another human being on your hands. Think whether it is worth spending years in jail, away from your loved ones, and, consider the loss of your freedom. If you are entertaining thoughts of committing unlawful acts, think also of the pledge of the VIPD officers to relentlessly pursue all lawbreakers, and once apprehended, you will face swift justice. Let us have a safe and violence free Holiday Season, choose the lawful path. And while I am on the subject of unlawful behavior, I want to notify those who practice firing off shots to announce the coming of New Year’s Eve that you are committing a crime. This practice of discharging shots is illegal, and is a very dangerous habit that could easily take the life of an innocent child. If you, or anyone you know, may be planning to shoot random bullets into the air on New Year’s Eve, please do your best to discourage this behavior. The VIPD has a plan in place to identify and arrest violators.
While the Holidays usually bring happiness and the joy of spending time with family and loved ones, for some of our residents, this festive time makes them feel sad, depressed, and alone. Please remember that you do not have to isolate yourself, you are part of a larger community, and we encourage you to reach out to family members or seek professional help. Do not turn to alcohol, or use controlled substances, to release your frustration during this Season. This type of behavior can lead to violent outbursts and can lead you to hurt yourself and others. If you make the decision to drink, do so responsibly and choose a designated driver; the life you save on the road may very possibly be your own. Use the New Year as a New Beginning. Resolve to take charge of your life in a positive way. Reach out to those less fortunate than you. We can create a better community for all of us.
Let me take this time to touch on a few other subjects as we go forward into the heart of the holiday season. On St. Croix, the Crucian Christmas Festival is in full swing. On St. Thomas and St. John, many holiday parties, dances and other events will be taking place. The VIPD will be out in full force, throughout the territory, to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable Christmas season. Remember, if there is violence at an event you are attending, the venue will be immediately shut down. While out enjoying the activities, if you see any suspicious behavior, please use your cell phone to call 9-1-1. Allow the police to use this information, and foresight, to curtail any problems that might be developing. This way, everyone can continue to enjoy the festive good time.
I want to remind parents, guardians and minors that Curfew laws are in effect for all youths. If you are under the age of 16, you cannot be on the streets after 10 p.m., unless you are accompanied by an adult responsible for your actions. No person, under the age of 18, is allowed in establishments that serve alcohol; and all establishments that serve alcohol must ask for proof of age, or they will be subject to liability. Before I turn over the remainder of this press conference to the Chiefs and Zone Commanders, I must say a few words about our officers and their greatest obstacle. I would like to assure you that the VIPD is building up its arsenal to face, head on, the challenge of murder and senseless killing. 2009 saw more than 50 murders in the territory, a number which is unacceptable in our small community, where every terminal act of violence affects each resident in one way or another. Over several years, a private benefactor has funded advanced homicide training for the detectives of the Criminal Investigation Bureau in St. Croix. This prestigious training is attended by personnel from national and international police departments, and this year, we were fortunate to have officers from the St. Thomas and St. John district also attended. The department continues to provide in-service as well as off-island training opportunities for its officers, and they continue to make us proud. I refer specifically to the members of the K-9 squad, who recently attended training in North Carolina. These officers took the initiative to volunteer on a search party to look for a child who had been missing for more than a week, and were the first locaters of the body of an innocent 5-year-old girl.
Every where our officers go, they are extolled for their courteous professionalism and service oriented competence. In the coming months, as my direction for this department takes hold, with the help and support of the VIPD staff and every resident of these Virgin Islands, we will see the tide of violence turn. Thank you and have a safe and Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
