St. Thomas- Members of the Committee on Homeland Security, Justice, Public Safety, and Veterans Affairs chaired by Sen. Steven Payne, Sr. convened in a meeting at the Capitol Building and received testimony on the rise of gun violence and the status of the protocols and proceduresimplemented to curtail crime in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Furthermore, lawmakers were updated on the 9–1–1 Operating System and the process of data collection. Invited testifiers are officials from the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) and the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA).
Presently, VIPD is strategically combating gun violence to reduce crime through partnerships with both Federal and local enforcement agencies; according to the VIPD Commissioner Trevor Velinor. The Federal and multi-agency law enforcement agencies have rendered significant progress for VIPD. For example, Velinor indicated that due to the efforts of VIPD, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, Federal agencies, and ATF, illegal firearms transported through luggage were confiscated at both airports in the Territory. The Criminal Investigations Bureau arrested suspects charged with felonies within the first 48 hours and eighteen vacant apartment units located in high-crime housing communities were secured by the VIPD Special Operations Bureau. Furthermore, Velinor mentioned that VIPD through the Deputy Commissioner of Operations is utilizing data collection that is used for allocating resources for crime and traffic safety. As a result, a total of 920 citations were issued to drivers for occupant protection, 281 for impaired driving, four arrests for driving under the influence, and five arrests for illegal firearm possession achieved by the VIPD Traffic Division, according to Velinor.
Despite the collaborative efforts of the VIPD, crime continues to rise in the Territory. Comparatively, to 2019, in 2020 there is a 29% rise in homicides with a 100% increase in related arrests. Velinor further mentioned that a to–date there are a total of 40 homicides in the Virgin Islands. Sen. Payne stated that the statistics are disheartening. “I am concerned because despitethe Federal and local partnerships there is a rise in crime in comparison to last year when people were free to traverse. Yet due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the community was on lockdown, many are working from home, and mass gatherings are prohibited. Yet there is an increase in violent crimes in the Territory. There needs to be more police presence in areas where shots are constantly fired.” Sen. Myron Jackson stated that a comprehensive approach to reducing gun violence in the Territory is required. “There are over 1,000 families who deserve an explanationand closure for the sudden and violent loss of their loved ones. VIPD needs a comprehensive plan to address gun violence,” Sen. Jackson said.
VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen shared an update on the 9–1–1 Operating System. VITEMA and VIPD work closely together utilizing emergency calls as a means of combating illegal activity. Thus far in 2020, because of residents calling 9-1-1 and ShotSpotter, there are a total of 1,547 weapons firearm complaints. The breakdown is as follows: 768 weapon firearm complaints in the St. Thomas-St. John District and 779 in the St. Croix District. ShotSpotter allows VIPD to quickly access gunshot data to improve response time to the crime scene. Jaschen stated that thecall history records are secured by VITEMA 9-1-1 call center management.
