Following a rise in gun violence in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Delegate Stacey E. Plaskett speaks out on the urgency of prevention efforts after a weekend of shootings left three men dead and three others injured, including a 14-year-old boy hit by stray bullets. In a heartfelt statement, Plaskett emphasizes the community-wide impact of these tragedies and reassures residents that her office is actively seeking federal funding to combat gun violence, including $18 million aimed at enhancing local law enforcement’s ability to intercept illegal firearms.
Plaskett’s commitment to addressing the crisis includes securing additional resources like $6.6 million from the Justice Department for violent crime prevention and community initiatives. She calls gun violence a public health crisis requiring a comprehensive approach that includes not only law enforcement but also community engagement and support for at-risk youth through various programs across the islands. The Delegate encourages anyone with information about the recent incidents to contact the police, highlighting that collaboration is essential to breaking the cycle of violence.
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