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Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsLocal newsFrancis Reintroducing Bill to Place Cameras at Intersections

Francis Reintroducing Bill to Place Cameras at Intersections

Sen. Novelle Francis (File photo by Barry Leerdam for the V.I. Legislature)
Sen. Novelle Francis (File photo by Barry Leerdam for the V.I. Legislature)

Sen. Novelle E. Francis on Tuesday announced he was going to reintroduce legislation that would install surveillance cameras at major intersections across the territory.

The bill, which Francis originally introduced during the 32nd Legislature, is one of several he is proposing that he said could proactively reduce crime and create a safer community.

“When this bill was introduced last term, we heard a lot of push back as to why we were not ready and why it could not work for our community,” Francis said. “Today, I believe that we are more than ready, given the current crime atmosphere in our community. The presence of these surveillance cameras can be a key way of making inroads in our response to crime and deterring future criminal activities.”

Francis said, based on his 25 years of experience as a law enforcement officer he sees surveillance cameras as a solid, proven strategy to fight crime.

“As we rebuild our infrastructure and tap into ways to better protect our residents and visitors, we need to use the benefits of technology,” he said. “This is the 21st century, and while we ask our residents to play their role and be the eyes and ears of the police, camera footage gives eye-witness accounts of occurrences that are reliable and unbiased, especially in situations where a witness is afraid to testify in court.”

Francis, who worked his way from the bottom ranks of the V.I. Police Department to the office of commissioner, said he hopes his colleagues and stakeholders will all see the merits of the bill, which benefits the public safety of these islands.

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8 COMMENTS

  1. Yep, if we let these idiots, they will have cameras everywhere just like the mainland. Why on earth would anyone want to emulate the mainland? I guess our government is clueless to the chaos that following the mainland’s unsustainable, weapon-worshipping, war-mongering, techno zombie-creating, invasion of privacy, addiction to all things, etc. way of life brings.

    • And I guess you think the fact that in America there are more weapons than people has helped as well, right? And, I guess you think all of the wars America has been involved in has brought peace to the earth the way they said they would, right? You can’t make this level of ignorance up, folks you just can’t. This comes from decades of brainwashing and conditioning to those that aren’t strong enough and conscious enough to think for themselves! When you live in fear, you will make all kinds of stupid choices and give up what little freedoms we have left.