CHRISTIANSTED — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. commended the Virgin Islands Police Department for removing three guns from the street on St. Croix during Phase 2 of the department’s Virgin Islands Crime Initiative, which Police Commissioner Trevor Velinor put into place during the last quarter of 2019.
Last week, the VIPD made three separate arrests, including one for an unlicensed firearm, as it “aggressively pursues” the perpetrators of the recent spate of gun violence that police attribute to disputes between rival criminal gangs.
“This is the kind of proactive police work we are taking to fight the gun violence that has plagued these islands for too long, and I applaud the men and women of the Virgin Islands Police Department and our peace officers for taking the fight to those criminals who terrorize our community,” Governor Bryan said. “Once again, I am calling on residents to become part of the solution to the problem of gun violence by assisting the police with information. It cannot be said too much: If you see something, say something.”
Governor Bryan said he is sending proposed gun control legislation down to the 33rd Legislature requiring travelers to report any weapons or ammunition brought into the territory before they embark to the U.S. Virgin Islands.
On September 3, Police Commissioner Velinor will appear before the Senate Homeland Security Committee to give an update on the gun violence in the territory.
Residents who witness criminal activity can call 911 or report it anonymously through the Crime Stoppers USVI tip line at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).