Police Commissioner Rodney F. Querrard Sr., has released an ‘end of year’ message to residents of the Virgin Islands, urging that vigilance be a top priority even as the festive mood kicks in.
“As the Christmas Season kicks in to high gear, so does the individuals who have no care for one’s property, or well-being,” Querrard said. “These criminals look for opportunities to take the property of someone by various means; for instance, a parked vehicle with items clearly visible from the outside, homes hidden away due to overgrown trees etc. or just left unsecured, and at business employees who are routine in their ways, among numerous others.”
Commissioner Querrard listed 11 steps residents should take to better protect themselves from “someone who really doesn’t care how hard you worked for what you paid for.”
They include:
1. Do not leave items visible from the outside in your parked car.
2. Make sure your car is properly secured and parked in a well-lit area, preferably where there is a lot of vehicular or foot traffic.
3. Cut any overgrown trees blocking your home from being seen by a neighbor, or from the street.
4. Leave a light on when you leave your home.
5. When going out, travel in groups of two or more, if possible.
6. Do not go to an area you are not familiar with, especially at night.
7. Business owners and employees, and financial institution managers and employees should ensure that their security systems are working and recording. Conduct a test every so often. The same goes for home owners with security systems.
8. Business and financial institutions employees should take necessary measures to ensure that their daily activities are not “routine”.
9. Call 911 if you observe something suspicious or out of the ordinary while at home, or in the establishment where you work.
10. When walking with a purse or bag, try and keep it in front of you to make it difficult for a perpetrator to grab and run with.
11. Do not flash money while paying a bill at any establishment.
The idea of taking these steps to protect oneself from harm and loss is “unfortunate,” Querrard said, however he noted that “these measures have to be taken because of a few people living among us, a small minority, not the majority, who continue to show disrespect for everyone, including their families, friends, and loved ones, by terrorizing and committing crimes against our people.”
“Let us “step up” as a people to “say something” before it escalates to the point of someone becoming a victim of a crime, or the suspect in a crime,” he added.
For holiday season 2014 days of leave go here. For Mapp-Potter inaugural events go here.
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