Bvicc Calls for Business Security Review
The BVI Chamber of Commerce is urging authorities to review self-defence laws and firearm licensing frameworks following a series of armed robberies on Tortola. Chamber Chairman Sinclair H. Flemming Jr. warned that business owners feel increasingly defenceless against violent criminals.
The BVI Chamber of Commerce has expressed grave concern regarding the safety of the local business community following a recent wave of armed robberies across Tortola. The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force is currently investigating three separate armed robberies targeting commercial establishments between September and October, including two incidents over a single weekend.
In response to the escalating threats, BVICC Chairman Sinclair H. Flemming Jr. has called on authorities to engage in a transparent review of current laws governing firearm licensing and access to non-lethal protective equipment. Flemming highlighted that business operators and their staff are growing increasingly fearful for their lives while carrying out daily operations.
The Chamber is advocating for a formal review of the framework surrounding non-lethal defence tools, such as projectile-based electronic incapacitation devices, supported by proper screening, training, and regulatory oversight. Flemming also highlighted the need for open dialogue on the existing firearm licensing process to determine whether lawful provisions adequately address genuine security risks faced by commercial operators.
Flemming clarified that the Chamber is not advocating for an armed society, but rather for practical, legal, and proportionate protections for law-abiding citizens. He noted that while businesses take on financial risks to provide services, employment, and tax revenues, they should not be subjected to repeated violent threats.
The Chamber acknowledged that growing frustration has led some operators to consider obtaining illegal firearms for protection. While firmly opposing any illegal weapons, Flemming stated that the desperation behind such sentiments cannot be overlooked. In the interim, the BVICC has advised businesses to implement immediate preventative safety measures.
These include removing excess cash at irregular intervals, establishing controlled entry procedures during late operating hours, upgrading exterior lighting and surveillance systems, and adopting clear robbery response protocols that prioritise human life over cash or property. The Chamber recognised that implementing heightened security measures places additional financial strain on local enterprises.
However, the organisation emphasised that business owners should not be forced to choose between keeping their doors open and protecting the lives of their employees.
Primary source: VINO