The Home Journal

Skeleton Police Force

At a time when the government is spending substantially increased sums for police protection, it comes as a shock to learn that at times in St. Thomas there is but one patrolman assigned to guard the entire island.

Early this year, the Commissioner of Public Safety requested a higher appropriation to increase the size of the police force. He got this increased appropriation, but instead of employing more patrolmen, the Commissioner reduced the size of the force by making many dismissals. At the same time, the money that was appropriated to employ more policemen was used for less essential purposes. Thousands of dollars were spent to remodel and refurbish the Commissioner's living quarters and office at Fort Christian and to purchase equipment.

It is discouraging to note that although we are spending much more money for police protection we are worse off today than in the past. To continue to operate a skeleton force is to invite the lawless. We should be able to do much more with the more than $400,000 we spend a year for the operation of our police department.

We are happy to observe that the new governor was a former police officer, who has spent a lifetime working closely with law enforcement officers. He should be able to use his knowledge and experience to put things in order in the Department of Public Safety. Conditions at Richmond penitentiary should also claim his attention. For too long, conditions there have been permitted to grow from bad to worse. As the letter on this page indicates dissatisfaction with the penitentiary remains undiminished.

Our needs in this community are too great for us to spend money on non-essentials, while closing our eyes to urgent improvements. Certainly it is more in the community's interest to employ a few more patrolmen to guard the streets than to install air conditioners and swanky furnishings in the Commissioner's office.