Police in the St. Thomas/St. John/Water Island district are aggressively continuing an initiative that is taking guns off the streets. The initiative, which began on May 23, 2007, is a joint effort of the VIPD’s Special Operations Bureau, Project Safe Streets, and HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Traffic Area). During the three-week period that the initiative has been underway, police have recovered nine (9) guns, a bullet proof vest and small quantities of marijuana and taken a wanted St. Thomas man into custody.

Milton A. Petersen, Sr., Acting Chief of the St. Thomas/St. John/Water Island district says police are utilizing aggressive patrol, traffic stops, and information and assistance from the community in their efforts. He commends the citizens who have provided information that have led to solving crimes and taking illegal guns off the streets. “Solving crime is a collaborative effort,” says Acting Chief Petersen. “The citizens and the Virgin Islands Police Department can all bring about a change, make a difference and continue to take guns off the streets.”

The initiative continues to net illegal guns and owners. On Wednesday, June 6, 2007, officers engaged in the initiative arrested seven men after executing a search warrant on a Kirwan Terrace apartment. Elliot Hodge, Makeem Ubiles, Curtis Baxter, Jamel Niles, Shaun Smith, Leron Xaviere and Kareem Sebastian were arrested at 6:10 a.m. and charged with Constructive Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm and Drug Paraphernalia/Marijuana. Police recovered two firearms at the scene. The men were unable to post bail, and were subsequently remanded to the Bureau of Corrections.

Police also arrested Neville Potter, who was wanted on assault charges, at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 6 after executing a search warrant on another Kirwan Terrace apartment. His female companion, Helen Brewley, was arrested and charged with Accessory after the Fact after attempting to prevent Potter’s apprehension.

The initiative has resulted in other arrests for firearm charges:

• On May 26, Jasim Lewis was arrested on St. John and charged with Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm and Assault First Degree. Mr. Lewis was in possession of a .22 caliber firearm.
• On June 2, Shakeem Clarke was arrested on St. Thomas and charged with Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm and Ammunition. Mr. Clarke was in possession of a .38 revolver.
• On June 3, Akeem Corrapse of St. Thomas was arrested on St. Thomas and charged with Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm and Ammunition and Reckless Endangerment. Mr. Corrapse was in possession of a loaded rifle.

Other guns taken off the street include two (2) 9 mm handguns, a .45 caliber pistol and a .40 caliber gun.

The VIPD thanks those agencies, including the Superior Court, Port Authority, Licensing and Consumer Affairs and Lottery, who have provided invaluable assistance to this initiative to remove guns from our community.