CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The U.S. Virgin Islands Law Enforcement Planning Commission (LEPC) in collaboration with the National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA) held two days of criminal justice
stakeholder meetings on December 4th and 5th, in Croix and St. Thomas, respectively, to address mental
health and data-driven strategies for enhancing safe communities in the territory.
“These meetings extend from the territory’s first of its kind meeting in July with the heads of all sectors of the territory’s criminal justice system, hosted by Governor Albert Bryan Jr. and me,” Moleto Smith, the LEPC director, said. “The July meeting focused on gaps in the system, such as mental health services, and the best use of data to support crime fighting and safe communities.”
“Our collaboration with NCJA on this effort, as well as others currently underway, highlights LEPC’s
commitment to implementing Governor Bryan vision in this area,” said Director Smith. The NCJA has extensive experience in assisting federal, state, local and tribal justice agencies identify barriers
and develop strategies to increase the effectiveness of criminal justice agencies and programs.
Additionally, it provides training and technical assistance in strategic planning and strategy implementation, stakeholder engagement, grants management and administration, data access and information sharing.
“I greatly appreciate the in-person support of NCJA in facilitating these planning meetings, as well as the
active participation of all our criminal justice stakeholders, including that of an Associate Justice of the
Supreme Court, on behalf of the Virgin Islands Judiciary, as well as the LEPC team. This comprehensive
stakeholder support demonstrates the high priority placed on addressing these vexing issues, by all of us.
Follow-up meetings to finalize this process within the upcoming months are planned for calendar year 2025, Smith said.
LEPC said it is “committed to supporting criminal justice initiatives and programs through collaboration, advice, and resources to promote safer communities in the Virgin Islands.”
