Crime

The year is only 4 days old and we already have 2 murders. Don't expect any solutions from our senators they are to busy spending their 100K salaries.

And don't expect the police to be of much help either.

Sunday's attempted murder in the Sunny Isle Wendy's was classified as an assault.

I guess a stabbing has to be more than 14 wounds to be classified as attempted murder here.

Shameful.

Posted by: @vicanuck

And don't expect the police to be of much help either.

Sunday's attempted murder in the Sunny Isle Wendy's was classified as an assault.

I guess a stabbing has to be more than 14 wounds to be classified as attempted murder here.

Shameful.

The difference between assault and attempted murder lies in the fact that there is planning, but the plan is not followed through with. The attempt to murder is made, whereas in assault there may be no premeditation.

@gators_mom

Thank you for the clarification Gator's Mom, I see the distinction.

That said, its sad that this mentally ill person can't be locked up somewhere where he and the community will be safe.

It wouldn't surprise me if the perp was taken for "the big swim" once he was released from custody.

Posted by: @vicanuck

@gators_mom

Thank you for the clarification Gator's Mom, I see the distinction.

That said, its sad that this mentally ill person can't be locked up somewhere where he and the community will be safe.

It wouldn't surprise me if the perp was taken for "the big swim" once he was released from custody.

Since the perp will be defenseless in the legal system, he'll be locked up in the prison system for a while. Then most likely let back onto the VI streets to fend for himself again. This occurs not only in the VI but stateside, too. There is little or no help for the chronically mentally ill or their families.

Stabbing Incident at Sunny Isle Shopping Center Under Investigation | St. Thomas Source

Posted by: @gators_mom

The difference between assault and attempted murder lies in the fact that there is planning, but the plan is not followed through with. The attempt to murder is made, whereas in assault there may be no premeditation.

I know it's semantics but if the young man had succeeded in killing the older gentleman would it not have been murder, given there was no premeditation?  To me dead is dead, premeditation is irrelevant.  I would would consider being violently attacked someone with any deadly weapon attempted murder.  If this young man hadn't been restrained he easily could have killed.  My view may be simplistic but I'm a simplistic person.

Years ago mental hospitals were fairly common but they were shut down for cost and political reasons.  Now we just put these individuals into jail after they commit a crime, not sure this is an improvement.

Posted by: @jaldeborgh

Posted by: @gators_mom

The difference between assault and attempted murder lies in the fact that there is planning, but the plan is not followed through with. The attempt to murder is made, whereas in assault there may be no premeditation.

I know it's semantics but if the young man had succeeded in killing the older gentleman would it not have been murder, given there was no premeditation?  To me dead is dead, premeditation is irrelevant.  I would would consider being violently attacked someone with any deadly weapon attempted murder.  If this young man hadn't been restrained he easily could have killed.  My view may be simplistic but I'm a simplistic person.

Years ago mental hospitals were fairly common but they were shut down for cost and political reasons.  Now we just put these individuals into jail after they commit a crime, not sure this is an improvement.

If the victim died, the charge would be either voluntary manslaughter or second degree murder. It's all about intent and the stickiness of the charge.

Mental hospitals were closed because of the development of psychotropic drugs in the late 20th century that have allowed the mentally ill to live among us. Stoned yes, functioning maybe, suicidal sometimes, but not hospitalized. Insurance companies LOVED these drugs as an alternative to very expensive inpatient psychiatric treatment. Psychiatrists became drug pushers rather that talk therapists - for the most part. 

Very early on in my career I worked for the Menninger Clinic in Topeka that closed almost overnight because of the advent of drug treatment. I even knew Karl Menninger.

List of psychotropic medications - Wikipedia

Sorry to hear about these incidents, especially the concerns about the senators and the police. We are building on St. Croix this year and really appreciate the insights on this site. 

Posted by: @gators_mom

Mental hospitals were closed because of the development of psychotropic drugs in the late 20th century that have allowed the mentally ill to live among us.

I fear the problem with this approach is what if the individual stops taking the medication, for whatever reason.  If the unmediated person is a danger to society it would seem like a ticking time bomb.  I wonder if this young man was correctly medicated at the time of the assault.  If not, who’s accountable. 

Posted by: @jaldeborgh

Posted by: @gators_mom

Mental hospitals were closed because of the development of psychotropic drugs in the late 20th century that have allowed the mentally ill to live among us.

I fear the problem with this approach is what if the individual stops taking the medication, for whatever reason.  If the unmediated person is a danger to society it would seem like a ticking time bomb.  I wonder if this young man was correctly medicated at the time of the assault.  If not, who’s accountable. 

Most of the psychotropic meds are used to make the mentally ill person's behavior more acceptable to their families and society. But these drugs dull the senses and deaden emotions.

Some of these drugs can cause permanent brain damage, too. It used to be called the Thorazine shuffle.

In particular, those with bi-polar disorder miss their highly productive manic phases and will opt to get off meds. Bi-polar sufferers are far more likely to kill themselves than harm others when coming down out of mania.

We are all individuals and responsible for ourselves in the US. Unless temporarily Baker-acted, hospitalized, court-ordered or in prison, no one can be forced to take psychotropic drugs. 

It doesn’t help that there is a lot of stigma with mental illness especially here.  Having worked retail in Cruz Bay for 15 years I saw and knew many people who struggles with various mental health issues.  Some very sad stories.  I’ve known people who were rounded up and taken to the clinic once a month for their shot. A horrible way to treat people.  They would have about 5 days a month where they were just right medicated.  They felt alone and unwanted and struggled most of the time.  In and out of jail and little or no support when they were out.  We don’t have a lot of resources.  Especially on St John.  

Most people including myself always think of murder rates when talking about crime however with the new of the police officers arrested transporting drugs it is just a reminder of the amount of corruption that exists in our public service departments. How can such beautiful islands be the home of so much criminal activity?

And the Point Udall break ins are acting up again.

Vandals are Damaging Vehicles at Point Udall; Police Commissioner Vows More Police Patrol of Monument

Sometimes you see comments that suggest if you stay out of housing projects you don't have to worry about crime in the VI. A young man was recently killed in the early morning in Gallows Bay and a young woman now sits in a hospital after a brutal rape in downtown St. Thomas. Crime impacts everyone, we may choose to ignore it but the impact of crime can not be denied. There is little the average citizen can do, we just try to make sure are loved ones are as safe as possible. Unfortunately the more crime occurs there comes a basic acceptance of it. We choose to either stay here ad remain locked up at night or we move to the states with the hope we find a safer place to live. I like so many others feel totally frustrated. I am tired of the crime, the rude behavior of many people, the corruption in our govt and our police force. I am tired of hearing speeches from governors, police leaders, politicians and radio talk show hosts. Crime (both criminal and civil) is becoming an acceptable part of VI culture and we need to change this phenomenon as soon as possible. Unfortunately I don't know how to do it but I welcome any suggestions.

Posted by: @stcmike

Sometimes you see comments that suggest if you stay out of housing projects you don't have to worry about crime in the VI. A young man was recently killed in the early morning in Gallows Bay and a young woman now sits in a hospital after a brutal rape in downtown St. Thomas. Crime impacts everyone, we may choose to ignore it but the impact of crime can not be denied. There is little the average citizen can do, we just try to make sure are loved ones are as safe as possible. Unfortunately the more crime occurs there comes a basic acceptance of it. We choose to either stay here ad remain locked up at night or we move to the states with the hope we find a safer place to live. I like so many others feel totally frustrated. I am tired of the crime, the rude behavior of many people, the corruption in our govt and our police force. I am tired of hearing speeches from governors, police leaders, politicians and radio talk show hosts. Crime (both criminal and civil) is becoming an acceptable part of VI culture and we need to change this phenomenon as soon as possible. Unfortunately I don't know how to do it but I welcome any suggestions.

The young man gunned down in Gallows Bay was awaiting trial on illegal firearms possession and had been linked to the senseless murder of 19 year old Selena Chitolie last May.

Homicide victim was awaiting trial for illegal firearm possession | News | virginislandsdailynews.com

Follow the cocaine. Follow the money. 

11 shot and 4 dead in less than 12 hours. Welcome to 2021 St. Croix.

@rewiredthey have tried this in the past also 

@stcmikeone was a female in a home invasion 

@stcmike

I wasn't the least bit surprised...just another weekend on the rock.

and another today 

VI needs feds to take over. Crimes don’t get solved here because of local cops/criminals connections. 

meanwhile Plaskett is trying to get rid of our US attorney who is tough on crime to replace her with someone local. Nutty. 

@jaldeborgh I hated high School and got terrible grades. I worked 40 hours+ a week the entire time I was in High School. I took every single wood shop and drafting class avaliable. It inspired me to be a carpenter later in life after I got out of the Army. I had a very successful career and am blessed to be able to retire in my mid 40's. I just about failed High School. I figured out my strength was persistence. I never quit when I have a challenge in front of me. That's what children need to see today is what a motivated and skilled roll model looks like. That person doesn't have to be the smartest guy in the room he just needs to have the most persistence and that kid will understand the secret to success.

Posted by: @dlozano

@jaldeborgh I hated high School and got terrible grades. I worked 40 hours+ a week the entire time I was in High School. I took every single wood shop and drafting class avaliable. It inspired me to be a carpenter later in life after I got out of the Army. I had a very successful career and am blessed to be able to retire in my mid 40's. I just about failed High School. I figured out my strength was persistence. I never quit when I have a challenge in front of me. That's what children need to see today is what a motivated and skilled roll model looks like. That person doesn't have to be the smartest guy in the room he just needs to have the most persistence and that kid will understand the secret to success.

Our stories while different have significant similarities.  I also hated school, was a C or D student in high school.  I worked in a machine shop after high school for a year, got laid-off and collected unemployment, it was a life changing experience, I was determined that this was not going to be the rest of my life.  I applied to a Boston area business school, was offered a “conditional acceptance” that required I take 2 summer courses (Calculus and General Management) and if I could score a C or better in both they would allow me to start the following January.  The reason for January was there were already 20 students in the program for a September start.  As it turned out the calculus teacher was tough (but I worked my tail off) and only 3 of us scored C or better, the result was a bunch of slots opened up for the September semester and I got one of them.  I went on to complete my BS in 25 months, with a double major.  I then worked a range of jobs in a manufacturing company for three years before returning to the same school and earning my MBA (with honors) in 12 month including a dual concentration and an amazing international internship in England.   During this period I never stopped hating school but I adjusted my attitude, I came to see school as a means to an end and as a necessary filter for the working world.  I also learned that there is no substitute for drive, hard work and focus.

While I didn’t retire until recently, at age 64, it was more because I truly enjoyed what I was doing, more actually, I considered it a privilege to experience the people and industry I worked in for almost 40 years of my career. That’s not to say it was easy or without stress, it was consistently hard and at times unbelievably stressful, but the end result was more than worth the effort.

Bottomline, we’re aligned, you don’t need to be the smartest guy in the room, you just have to have high standards, a willingness to adapt to change and the determination to never give up no matter how difficult the challenge.  Common sense and self reliance also give you a big leg up.

@dlozano

I quit high school in Grade 10 and left home at 15, moving to a different city on my own. I flourished with the independence and the "failure is not an option" mind set that I developed. There's nothing more motivating than hunger! I finished my professional career at 43 as Director of Marketing for a major corporation and now own a very successful business down here.

High school and college/university is great for some people and some occupations but not necessary for others. Most kids entering college today would make more money and be better served by taking a trade or apprenticeship instead of getting a useless degree that they can't monetize. Many just blindly go on to college because they're not prepared to face the real world. Sadly, all many achieve is a huge debt that they'll never be able to pay off. 

I was pushed down the college path as a teen and all it really got me was the ability to fill in the ‘some college’ bubble on various forms.  I was on the path to be a secondary vocational studies teacher and quit shy of my student teaching.  Most of those programs were being cut at that time.  And they all need to find their way back into middle and high schools.  Especially here where there are so many opportunities for skilled tradespeople.  The younger we expose kids to these things the better in my opinion.