St. Croix, USVI - The Virgin Islands Police Department’s commitment to the safety and security of the people of the USVI was seen and felt during the 70th Crucian Christmas Festival. There were extra security measures in place for locals and visitors to safely celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Crucian Christmas Festival Season on St. Croix.

Highly visible were law enforcement and support personnel along the parade and Jouvert routes. There were emergency flashing lights at every turn during the Crucian Rican Tramp, officers directing motorists and Virgin Islands National Guardsmen in camouflage, saturating almost every event to make sure the public was safe.

Virgin Islands Police Department Commissioner Ray Martinez, first of all thanked the community for a safe festival season, the VIPD officers, as well as the Virgin Islands National Guard. The Commissioner further stated, "the presence of both the Virgin Islands National Guard and the other law enforcement agencies to include DLCA, DPNR, Department of Health and the Superior Court Marshals, curtailed a couple of squabbles during the Jouvert route and any violence that otherwise could have taken place." VIPD drones could be seen hovering overhead and the Mobile Command unit was highly visible assisting the officers to effectively perform their duties in recovering two firearms from inside of the Festival Village. Joint operations were instrumental in achieving a successful and safe 70th Crucian Christmas Festival Season for all.

The Department of Tourism and the Division of Festivals, Commissioner Joe Boschulte, “thanks the VIPD for their outstanding job throughout the 2022-2023 Crucian Festival. Your efforts combined with our citizens and visitors respect for our laws has been a true win for our VI culture.”, the commissioner concluded.

The VIPD is now making preparations for the 51st Annual Agriculture and Food Fair, Agrifest 2023, Agriculture: "Growing Today for Tomorrow... You, me, all ah we."