Just yesterday, the territory learnt of the arrest of a 12th-grade student of the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) by law enforcement authorities in the US Virgin Islands (USVI). The teenager was arrested with three others allegedly trafficking a large quantity of cocaine. Three of the four persons arrested are from the Virgin Islands.

Additionally, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) issued a wanted bulletin for a 21-year-old wanted in connection with the December 11, 2021 murder of Jaimez A. J. Stoutt.

Just yesterday, January 10, 2022, the territory learnt of the arrest of a 12th-grade student of the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) by law enforcement authorities in the US Virgin Islands (USVI). The teenager was arrested with three others for allegedly trafficking a large quantity of cocaine.

'Holistic approach needed'

“I want to say to our people of the Virgin Islands that it is going to take a holistic approach for us to curb crimes. We have to make sure that at home we continue to teach our children the strong principles of God, and that is in our DNA as Virgin Islanders.

"We have to make sure that we also go in our schools and strengthen the work of our teachers.”

Additionally, according to Premier Fahie, it is important that the people of the territory also strengthen the work in non-governmental organisations, “All of that would be helping us to prevent crimes from happening but at the end of the day, even if it does, we must make sure that the justice system continues the way it is, independent, fair, transparent and that our people would have the opportunity to blossom.”

Justice system 'brings fairness'- Premier

These comments came after Premier Fahie attended the church service this morning January 11, 2022, for the opening of the 2022 Law Year. The church service was held at the New Testament Church of God, International Worship Centre, in Baughers Bay.

“That’s why I firmly believe in our jury system, I firmly believe in our judges, I firmly believe that we have a good system that will continue to be strengthened but we do have a system that brings fairness.”

Premier Fahie reiterated his government’s commitment on developing the infrastructure of the court systems, “We are working on the Halls of Justice buildings. It is taking a little longer in the design phase than we anticipated but we will come through with that project in the not too distant future.”