Crime/Police
Police Data Show 91% of BVI Murders Over Two Decades Committed by Men
Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Kendrick Davis said Wednesday that men were responsible for nearly all murders in the Virgin Islands over the past 20 years, calling the trend a warning sign that must be addressed urgently.
Speaking at the Virgin Islands Anti-Crime Summit 2025, Davis said police recorded 81 violent incidents resulting in 88 murders between 2005 and 2025. “What is stark about this is that 91 per cent of these killings were committed by men,” he told the audience. “In almost all the cases, the victims were also male, maybe with the exception of about eight females. So we have seen a picture where males are killing males and males are also killing females. Something is wrong with our males.”
Davis emphasised that the figures excluded manslaughter and accidental deaths, focusing solely on homicides. He described the number of killings as significant for a population of 31,000 to 35,000 people.
To provide perspective, Davis compared the Territory’s current homicide rate with regional data. Using the international standard of homicides per 100,000 residents, he said the Virgin Islands’ projected murder rate for 2025 would be 16 per 100,000. That is higher than the Cayman Islands’ rate of 5 per 100,000 but lower than several other Caribbean jurisdictions, including Anguilla and Turks and Caicos.
“The figures say to us that it is not too late, but we are just in time,” Davis said. “The figures have spoken … this is a siren, this is an alarm. And if we don’t do something about it now, then it might just reach a stage where it’s too late.”
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has confirmed that Tarik Aaron was arrested shortly before midnight on Friday, April 17, on extradition orders issued by authorities in the United States Virgin Islands, and has since appeared before the Magistrate’s Court.
According to police, the arrest was carried out in connection with a request from USVI authorities, though further details have not been disclosed.
Aaron appeared before the Magistrate’s Court today and was denied bail.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
Crime/Police
Two Men Arrested in Free Bottom After Police Recover Modified Firearm, Drugs and Ammunition
Dalfree Rodriguez De La Rosa, 22, of Hannah’s Estate, Tortola, and John Harvey, 33, of Purcell Estate, Tortola, were arrested on April 16, after officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) recovered a modified firearm, cannabis and ammunition during a stop-and-check operation in Free Bottom, police said.
According to the RVIPF, officers on patrol conducted the stop and discovered a Glock pistol, a quantity of cannabis and 13 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition. The firearm was later identified as a prohibited weapon that had been modified for fully automatic fire.
De La Rosa has been charged with possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply, possession of explosives and possession of a prohibited firearm. Harvey has been charged with possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply.
Acting Commissioner Kenrick Davis, speaking on behalf of the Senior Command Team, commended the officers involved in the operation.
“Their continued professionalism, teamwork, and commitment to duty have significantly contributed to the safety and security of our community,” Davis said.
The RVIPF said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to address illegal firearms and drug-related activity across the Territory.
Six new police vehicles have been added to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) fleet as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen law enforcement capacity in the Territory.
The force stated that the vehicles will support policing operations by improving mobility, response times and visibility across communities in the Virgin Islands.
“These additions form part of our continued efforts to enhance operational capacity and visibility across our communities,” the RVIPF said in a statement.
The vehicles are expected to be deployed on roads throughout the Territory as they begin active patrols in support of law enforcement duties.
The RVIPF also indicated that additional vehicles are expected to arrive in the coming months, further expanding the resources available to officers.
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