Recent Violence On St. Croix Is Of ‘Foreign Nature To My Generation,’ Neville James Says

ST. CROIX — Senate President Neville James issued the following statement Saturday in wake of the rash of gun violence that has taken place on various parts of St. Croix this weekend.

“The spike in violent crime sweeping the island of St. Croix this past Friday and now today is deplorable. The callousness and indifference towards the life of human beings is something we desperately have to improve upon, and quickly, because my island has no more lives to spare.

“I have been in constant communication with Acting Governor Osbert Potter and Police Commissioner Delroy Richards who have informed me that there is increased police presence throughout St. Croix as a result of what they believe is a turf war that has lead to retaliatory behavior within the criminal element. The community continues to be confounded at the type of weapons, the makes and models of machinery that are in the hands of our at risk young people. Sting operations on those who are illegally selling these weapons need to be ramped up post haste.

“These acts of violence, to include the homicide by the daycare in Frederiksted on Friday afternoon, the act of apparent retaliation later that evening in Christiansted, to the gory traffic shooting this morning near Kingshill, are events of a foreign nature to those in my generation, who never had to live in this society, with this kind of reckless regard for human life.

“Homeowners and business proprietors are being victimized as a result of guns in the hands of the wrong people. I’m pleading with any individuals in our community who may have any pertinent information regarding these violent incidents, to please, do the right thing, and report it to the authorities. We have to work together on a collective path of vigilance, to bring down the scourge of violence that is sullying these beautiful islands.”