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by pltm
(PLTM) - In wake of recent criticisms that the government is not pumping adequate finances into crime fighting, Premier and Finance Minister, Hon. Dr. D. Orlando Smith said that his government has spent over half of a million dollars on the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force last year.
The Premier also said that the force has seen 4 percent reduction in crime for 2016, compared to 2015.
"Recognising the importance of keeping our residents safe, my government, within the last year, has provided financial resources in excess of six hundred thousand dollars beyond the budgetary allocation for strengthening the ranks of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and for equipment," Premier Smith said in his 2017 budget address.
Premier Smith said that the BVI community is facing many challenges within its borders and the most serious of these is crime.
"In 2016, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force recorded a four percent (4%) reduction in crime compared to 2015. However, my government has a zero tolerance approach to crime and, while we applaud the efforts of the Commissioner and his staff, we will not rest on our laurels," the Premier noted.
He said, "In any case, as recent weeks have demonstrated, offences involving serious crime have taken place despite this reduction."
It was pointed out that the force has therefore begun recruiting more officers (experienced and new) to bring it up to the required human resource levels.
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