The Government House Press Briefing for April 22, 2025, which was led by Communications Director Richard Motta Jr., updated the public on important new 9-1-1 initiatives and honored the memory of Pope Francis while celebrating the great achievements of USVI athlete Michelle Smith.
Joined by VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen and VIPD Deputy Chief Rael Donastrong of the STT/STJ Districts, the Briefing also included important updates on emergency preparedness, tax refunds, and safety measures for the upcoming Carnival festivities on St. Thomas.
Mr. Motta led the Briefing by offering heartfelt condolences on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.
“Pope Francis was a moral compass and a humble servant whose message of mercy, justice, and compassion resonated around the world,” said Mr. Motta. “Here in the Virgin Islands, where faith and community are central to our way of life, he held a special place in many hearts.”
Governor Bryan extended his sympathies to Catholics throughout the Territory and the world, encouraging Virgin Islanders to carry forward Pope Francis’ values of compassion, humility, and justice.
The Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency’s (VITEMA) Director Daryl Jaschen was on hand to announce the official launch of TEXT-to-911 services in the USVI, which marks a major advancement in public safety.
“This new feature is essentially vital for our deaf and hard of hearing community,” Mr. Jaschen said. “It is also for anyone who may be in a situation where speaking out loud is not possible.”
TEXT-to-911 is now available across the Territory through Viya, Liberty, and T-Mobile. Residents are reminded to use this service only in emergencies when a voice call is not safe or possible. For full FAQs and details, visit vitema.gov.
Mr. Jaschen also reminded everyone that hurricane season starts June 1, and that businesses classified as “Essential” needed to submit curfew pass applications ASAP. Residents were also urged to sign up for Alert VI, the Territory’s emergency alert system, to receive updates during storm events.
VITEMA recently made history as the First U.S. Territory to achieve the historic milestone of receiving accreditation from the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP), marking a new chapter in emergency preparedness for the Territory. The accreditation, which remains in effect for five years, recognizes VITEMA’s compliance with all national standards across 16 critical categories including planning, resource management, training exercises, and communications.
Mr. Motta informed taxpayers of the good news that, in line with Governor Bryan’s pledge to provide efficient government services, more than 3,119 income tax refunds will be distributed this week to residents who filed their tax returns by July 28, 2023.
“These refunds come at a crucial time for many families,” said Mr. Motta. “They will help support essential needs and bring some relief amid rising costs.”
VIPD Deputy Chief Rael Donastrong of the STT/STJ/Water Island Division, offered key public safety reminders with Carnival on St. Thomas just around the corner.
- Observe parking restrictions and designated traffic patterns
- Monitor unaccompanied minors
- Keep the Carnival Village clean – No Glass Bottles Allowed
- Drone patrols will assist officers in crowd monitoring and public safety.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to celebrate responsibly and help maintain a fun, family-friendly environment.
The Briefing ended on a celebratory note with hearty congratulations extended to St. Croix native Michelle Smith, who won the Gold Medal in the 400m hurdles at the CARIFTA Games in Trinidad and Tobago.
“Michelle’s incredible achievement – her fourth consecutive Gold – makes all of us in the Virgin islands proud,” said Mr. Motta. “She is a shining example of what dedication and talent can achieve.”
The Bryan-Roach Administration remains focused on financial accountability and strategic problem solving as it continues to address legacy issues and strengthen the Virgin Islands’ long term fiscal health.
Leave a Reply