Days after landing in the Virgin Islands for the first time, Governor Boyd McCleary told reporters on Aug. 24, 2010 
that in order to do his new job properly he had to first understand the “views of the people of the BVI.” To do that, he said, he had to leave Government House and meet the people he came here to govern. A year of rising crime, damaging natural disasters and a steady stream of international events affecting the territory gave Mr. McCleary plenty of opportunities to get out of the office.
Reflecting on his first year during a recent interview, Mr. McCleary said that much of his time has been spent addressing national security challenges including drug trafficking, violent crime and an increase in robberies and burglaries.
The governor said that he believes operational changes, new leadership for the police force and increased community outreach have helped to reduce both crime and the fear of crime.
See the Sept. 8, 2011 edition for full coverage.