CHRISTIANSTED — There are indications that police have already begun strictly enforcing the laws and regulations that govern the motoring public on St. Croix.
A VIPD police sergeant pulled over a motorist who had no license plate on the back of his vehicle near Super Tanker Service Station in front of the Sunny Isle Shopping Center in Castle Coakley this afternoon.
But the motorist told the sergeant that he had lost the license plate while driving — and he was able to drive away with just a warning as local law enforcement practices “community policing,” the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
“Sgt. Kirk Fieulleteau assists a motorist on St. Croix who lost his rear license plate,” the VIPD said. “He got his tools and moved the front plate to the rear, and advised the motorist to file a report on the lost plate.”
The VIPD said earlier this week that it would step up efforts to enforce things like current license plates and stickers, no excessive tint, proper mirrors and windows — everything that makes your vehicle “street legal” to drive in the U.S. Virgin Islands — beginning on Monday.
But some people on social media said that the police department is not going far enough to enforce local laws governing motorists — others thought that the VIPD has gone too far.
“How can you enforce plates and registration when public safety taking two months to process your paper work?” Khary Williams asked on St. Croix.
Another St. Croix reader said that police are not doing enough to fine people without handicapped placards — who are parking in handicapped parking spots — which should register a $1,000 fine to perpetrators.
But as these photos show — some of that increased enforcement of traffic registration plates and stickers and proof of insurance — has already begun on the Big Island. Good job Virgin Islands Police Department!
Job well done!
The news of the St. Croix motorist being kindly assisted by a friendly VIPD police sergeant was posted to Twitter at 5:24 p.m. today.