1995 — Public Service

About This Series

By: 
Melvin Claxton
December 12, 1994,
Part 1
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Something makes the Virgin Islands uniquely hospitable to crime. What is it? Who's to blame for the prevailing belief that crime is part of the way things are done here? Reporter Melvin Claxton spent six months interviewing hundreds of criminals, victims, law officers and justice officials. He hand-searched thousands of records and worked with project editor J. Lowe Davis to organize the information into this 10-part series.

This investigative series identifies the Virgin Islands people and institutions that make crime easy, rewarding and acceptable here. The series also analyzes what the territory can do about crime.


INDEX

  • Day 1 - THE PROBLEM: Crime without punishment is the norm in the Virgin Islands.
  • Day 2 - POLICE: Disorganization, sloppy work and corruption help crime flourish.
  • Day 3 - EVIDENCE MESS: Police evidence room mistakes allow murderers and rapists to go free.
  • Day 4 - MISSING DRUGS: Corruption among law officers handling evidence is widespread and deadly.
  • Day 5 - EVIDENCE GUNS: Police misuse and mishandling of evidence guns jeopardize justice.
  • Day 6 - GUN TRAFFICKING: Federal and V.I. laws and regulations allow guns to flow into the territory.
  • Day 7 - JUVENILES: The Virgin Islands makes crime an easy avenue for youths to get what they want.
  • Day 8 - PROSECUTION: Inexperienced, unprepared prosecutors let violent criminals avoid prison.
  • Day 9 - CORRECTIONS: The Virgin Islands does not rehabilitate prisoners, so most commit crimes again after they get out.
  • Day 10 - SOLUTIONS: The territory can take steps to sharply reduce crime. Professionals and readers make recommendations.
© 1994, The Virgin Islands Daily News
Index for:
Public Service 1995
Next:
1 Man, 24 Arrests, 43 Charges...And He Gets 14 Months in Prison