Each election year we are bombarded with political advertisements and persuasive speeches requesting support. Our St.Croix communities are faced with so many important issues; whether it is our Economic crisis, our Energy crisis, or our public Education crisis. Many of us wonder if our vote will even matter come November 2014. However, there is another crisis that should have us all downright horrified. In our neighborhood, Calquohoun & Mt. Pleasant, the explosive and escalating level of crimes and murders has plagued us for over 17 years. Many isolated complaints and calls have been made with the police department and many promises were made to the residents by elected and appointed officials. We have seen several Governors, Commissioners, Senators come and go. Yet, we still have a cancerous cell in our community that breathes criminal activity; it has destroyed the very fabric of our community, the infamous establishment named “Front Line Night Club”. On August 29, 2013, the governor of the US Virgin Islands stated the following, “If a business does not adhere to its responsibility to protect the public, its neighbors and the greater community in which it operates, then it must be deemed unworthy of being licensed in the Virgin Islands,” de Jongh said. “Commissioner Wayne Biggs acted in the best interest of the community when he petitioned for this administrative sanction and successfully shut down Metropolis Lounge.” governordejongh/news/releases/2013/08/citing-the-publics-safety-dlca-shuts-down-nightclub.html For nearly two decades, we have tolerated the drive-by shootings, destruction of property, the intolerable and defiant acts against the noise ordinance set by our law makers, and total disregard for human life. And yet, this business is permitted to operate. We have often heard and read articles of DCLA officials shutting down many other establishments within the territory. What about “Front Line Night Club”, that somehow goes unnoticed? Is there some kind of crime evaporating cloak over Front Line Night Club”? Front Line Night Club”, has several thousand square feet of indoor space, yet it continues to defy noise ordinances till 5:30am by operating one of its many bar locations on property by operating its curbside pool table and patio bar, along Route 72. This is one of the many problems facing Front Line Night Club”, because it promotes loitering on the exterior of the building and making it easier for drive-by shootings by rival gangs and other criminals seeking retribution. On Saturday, April 19, 2014, another citizen, Matthew Vernege Jr. was murdered and one of our own a Virgin Islands police officers’ was left wounded. I must commend the VIPD for excellent investigative work that resulted in five arrests on this occasion. Thank God! However, when our very own Virgin Islands police officers, who are armed, gets shot for simply being at the wrong place at the wrong time, then what chance does the regular citizen have? As a former officer with the Virgin Islands Police Department, our prayers go out to the wounded officer and his family. And we offer our deepest condolences to the family and love ones of Matthew Vernege Jr., who was gunned down at Front Line Night Club”. I can remember when this location was owned and operated by Don Marcelino “Vieques En St.Croix” Santiago (May he rest in peace). During Mr. Santiago’s 45 years of management, this neighborhood never experienced such explosive levels of violence. In addition, we are appealing to the owners of 1-C Estate Calquohoun, St.Croix; the heirs of Don Marcelino “Vieques En St.Croix” Santiago; a founding executive board member of the VI-Puerto Rican Friendship Committee, the US Virgin Islands 1990 recipient of the United States Congressional Heritage & Culture Award, and a respected civic leader within the Hispanic-Crucian community (highbeam/doc/1P2-27439940.html, Virgin Islands Daily News October 7, 2006 | FIONA STOKES-GIFFT | Copyright). We, the Calquohoun Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Association, appeal to the Honorable Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr., Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Wayne Biggs and the VIPD Police Commissioner Rodney F. Querrard, Sr., to take action to close this establishment to prevent it from further facilitating criminal activity and endangering patrons. Consequently, we petition the honorable members of the 30th Legislature Virgin Islands to help us restore law, order, and community pride to the neighborhood of Calquohoun and Mt. Pleasant. We, the Calquohoun Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Association have circulated a petition and have collected over 100 signatures in support of the closure of “Front Line Night Club” and will continue to collect signatures. “Front Line Night Club” has become a safe haven for criminal activity and death. Our community is in trouble. Our property value is rapidly declining. Our safety is in jeopardy. Danger is amidst and we must shut down “Front Line Night Club”, before our school age children or an innocent by-stander is hurt or worse. We are very proud of our community that has given birth to great public servants, entertainers and home to legendary Crucian litertarian.
Posted on: Thu, 01 May 2014 10:43:51 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015