Vialet Calls On Bryan To Declare State Of Emergency In Light Of Surging Gun Violence In USVI

Third-term St. Croix Senator Kurt Vialet has called on Governor Albert Bryan to declare a state of emergency in light of the surging gun violence in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Mr. Vialet’s call for action comes as homicides on St. Croix have been surging from the onset of 2019, with the island experiencing five homicides in the first 17 days of the year. If this high rate of homicides per month were to hold until the end of 2019, St. Croix alone would experience 60 homicides. For a population of roughly 40,000, it would be the highest in the United States, and among the top worldwide for high homicide crime rate per capita.

Although there hasn’t been homicide deaths in St. Thomas for the year, a recent shooting incident left three men wounded, an occurrence that could have easily turned deadly.

Mr. Vialet called on Governor Bryan to declare the state of emergency and initiate a meeting with the Office of the Attorney General, judicial branch and all local and federal law enforcement agencies. The veteran senator also listed a number of objectives that should be up for discussion during the emergency meeting:

* Temporary reassignment of all Enforcement Officers to Department of Public Safety.
* Increased patrols and visibility in neighborhoods and towns.
* Increase traffic stops.
* Temporary hiring of off-island investigators to increase our investigative capabilities.
* Targeting of high crime areas by using data from shot spotter that record gunshots.
* Develop an enticement program for retired officers to return to duty for a time limited period.
* Establish Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in all police cars.
* Develop a system for citizens to anonymously report someone illegally possessing a firearm.
* Deter loitering in high crime areas and submit requisite legislative change to bolster the loitering law.
* Timely release of crime data (photos, color of car, description, etc.) that will assist in the identification of criminals by the community.
* Speedy prosecution of repeat offenders.
* Development of an anti-gang unit and reestablishment of the special unit.
* Resolution of outstanding cases that await trail.
* Development of a strategic plan to decrease violent crimes.

Read more: https://viconsortium.com/breaking-news/vialet-calls-on-bryan-to-declare-state-of-emergency-in-light-of-surging-gun-violence-in-u-s-virgin-islands/