St. John’s Coral Bay community is set to hold its traditional Labor Day festivities on Monday, but drag racing on the road adjacent to Love City Minimart and other streets is one developing tradition the V.I. Police Department aims to put the brakes on.
Leona Smith, the island’s administrator and chairman of the St. John Festival and Cultural Committee, called drag racing “an accident waiting to happen.”
Deputy Police Chief Darren Foy had strong words for people who might decide to head to Coral Bay in hopes of drag racing. He said the police department has zero tolerance for street racing on the public roadways and anyone who is caught racing in Coral Bay will face severe penalties.
To address this issue, he said police will continue enforcing all traffic laws during this time, with a special eye out toward speeding, reckless driving, driving under the influence, illegal vehicle alteration, and uninsured or unregistered vehicles.
“We are prepared to implement necessary measures to prevent any illegal drag racing in the Virgin Islands," he said.
According to Foy, in past years people have travelled to St. John during the holiday weekend to race on the public roadways in Coral Bay. Although no injuries were reported, the police have prevented and will continue to prevent the crowd from racing in the area.
He said the Coral Bay area is not suitable for drag racing. It is unsafe for both drivers and spectators. Any race held there could potentially result in serious injury or even death. It becomes especially dangerous when the racers are often young and inexperienced.
Foy urged residents to call 911 if they see or hear drag racing.
On a lighter note, Monday’s festivities will include a very small parade from Cases by the Sea to Guy Benjamin School that’s scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. A party with food sales and music will be held in the ball field following the parade. Smith said festivities should wrap up around 7 p.m.
Smith added that interested vendors should contact Sonia Sprauve at 779-4718 or Natalie Thomas 690-1725. Parade participants should contact Jackie Clendinen at 514-5355.
