ST. THOMAS, VI – The Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks, led by Senator Angel L. Bolques, Jr. met at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall. Lawmakers received updates on the operational oversight, progress, and challenges of recreational facilities and capital improvement projects of the Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation across the Virgin Islands. Additionally, senators considered a measure addressing elder abuse response systems and a policy discussing regarding Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Certification for the Virgin Islands’ Aging and Senior Care facilities. The approved item on today’s agenda will be forwarded to the Committee on Rules and Judiciary for further consideration and action.  

Kitwana Rhymer, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation, delivered a comprehensive report detailing its current state of operations, progress, and challenges across all sites. According to Rhymer, over the past eight months, the Department has made considerable progress in infrastructure development and community programming. 42 of 56 FEMA projects have been completed. One of the major achievements of the Department include the reopening of the Vincent Mason Sr. Pool & Coral Resort on St. Croix. The Reinhold Jackson Ballpark on St. Croix as well as the Emile Griffith Ball Park FEMA scope has been finalized.  

Another project that remains a priority is the Estate Profit Community Center. A contractor has been chosen for the project and awaits a purchase order so the project can begin. The Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack on St. Thomas has been fully renovated and has been turned over to the Department. At the Randall “Doc” James Racetrack, a geotechnical study has been finished. Architectural and Engineering services are in progress, and a detailed assessment of the racing surface has been completed. The Playground Retrofit Project has been progressing in the territory, which will install new and safe playground equipment at twelve facilities.  Playground fencing repairs and mulch installation will happen at the Midre Cummings Park. Procurement is underway to purchase LED lights for eight DSPR courts that lacked retrofitted LED systems. 

Additionally, several other projects are progressing, such as repairs to the Ezra Fredericks Ballpark on St. Thomas. Additionally, at the Lionel “Smutt” Richards Ballpark, complete design drawings for the concession budlings and a retaining wall have been received and are awaiting final approval from the Department of Public Works. Lights have been installed at the Lionel Roberts Stadium; however, a transformer needs to be replaced before they can be tested and energized. On St. John the Oppenheimer Beach House has undergone a geotechnical assessment, with architectural and engineering work underway for the building’s porch. For the Cramer’s Park concession building, 90% of the drawings have been received. At the Winston Wells Ballpark, A&E services for new bleachers, a concession, and a press box are ongoing. 

The Territorial Park Fund will support vital projects in the territory. These include the installation of new facility signs, new equipment for the Emile Griffith parking Lot, repairs to dugouts, and backstops at Kirwin Terrace, and upgrades to restrooms and scoreboard repairs at the Reinhold Jackson Ballpark. Additional capital projects are being completed, such as the Skate and Bike Park at Ezra Fredericks Park. The Pedro Cruz Ball Park is having a roof cover installed, which will allow year-round access. The Department of Public Works is overseeing the construction management for the Paul E. Joseph Stadium and Terrance Martin Softball Field. 

Rhymer mentioned the challenges that were faced by the Department. There are vacancies in key positions, including Public Relations Officer, Maintenance Field Supervisor, and three groundskeepers. The Department experienced one resignation, two retirement, and one death. Deferred maintenance is straining resources, as facilities need restroom upgrades, roof repairs, and electrical and plumbing improvements. Enforcement of rules and regulations at certain facilities remains a concern. There have been new hires, including three new lifeguards on St. Thomas, a sanitation and maintenance staff on St. Croix, and the onboarding of a new Deputy Commissioner. Rhymer also reiterated that rental rates would remain the same in the upcoming Fiscal Year. Furthermore, the Department hopes to expand youth and senior wellness programs, enhance interagency partnerships, broaden support for traditional and nontraditional sports, and complete its existing capital projects. 

Senator Bolques Jr. inquired about the status of the rebuild of the Cruz Bay Recreational Center. According to Mr. Arol Abel, Territorial Disaster Specialist, the Department was in the final stages of the design phase to have the community center rebuilt. A meeting was held approximately six weeks ago, and the Department has been in the negotiation stages with FEMA to approve the design. It would also be used a sprung structure.  

Policymakers also considered Bill No. 36-0099, which proposes changes to Title 34, Chapter 15 of Virgin Islands code to improve the territory’s responsiveness to elder abuse cases. The measure would mandate the creation of an Elder Anti-Abuse Multidisciplinary team within the Department of Human Services and requires collaboration with the Department of Justice to facilitate protective order requests through the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands. The measure was sponsored by Senator Angel L. Bolques, Jr. 

Taetia Phillips-Dorsett, Assistant Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services delivered testimony in support of the proposed measure. Phillips-Dorsett stated that the measure was timely, stating that it highlighted the urgent need to raise visibility about the realities of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and to emphasize the need for protective systems that ensure older adults and vulnerable residents in the territory can live safely and with dignity. The measure directly addresses the need for more responsive and more coordinated systems to detect, prevent and respond to the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults in the territory. The measure would mandate a territory wide interagency response protocol, formalizes the creation of a Multidisciplinary Team for case review, and coordinated serve delivery and authorizes the development of an elder and Dependent Adult Abuse registry to support prevention, tracking and accountability.  

Requiring DHS to seek assistance from the DOJ to petition the Superior Court of the Vi for temporary or permanent protective orders when an elder or dependent adult is imminent danger, which would close a critical gap in current legal framework. Formalizing DHS’s ability to request court orders would ensure timely interventions are possible when victims cannot advocate for themselves. It would align the USVI with best practices in the United States mainland. Regionally, Caribbean countries such as Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago have implemented similar measures that would allow for emergency protective orders in cases of domestic or elder abuse. The measure would also support the establishment of an Elder Abuse Registry, which would be managed by the Department of Justice. Dorsett also voiced the need for identified funding to support the measure, saying that without a lack of funding, it would run the risk of becoming an unfunded task with little sustainability success.  

Dorsett said that while the measure was strong, she offered recommendations to strengthen the measure. These included funding and staffing support, victim transition support, public awareness and education, and data collection and reporting. She also recommended clarifying language to replace the use of “elderly” with “older adults,” include definitions of “Dependent adult,” clarify agency roles, refer to the program as the “Adult Protective Services Program,” and include cross reporting requirements.  

Patricia Lynn Pryor, Deputy Attorney General of the Virgin Islands supported the proposed measure. Pryor stated that the bill would strengthen the tools that the People of the Virgin Islands can use to prosecute elder fraud, abuse, and exploitation cases. Pryor said that the Elder Anti Abuse Multi-Disciplinary Team is critical to ensure that the proper individual agencies work together to ensure the safety for the elder population, especially those expected to be victims of physical, emotional abuse, or financial exploitation. She said that having an Elder Abuse Registry, like the Sex Offender Registry for those who are convicted of exploiting or abusing an elder person would serve as incredibly useful function. Pryor said the Department of Justice welcomed the opportunity to take part in the Elder Anti Abuse Multidisciplinary team and to oversee the Elder Abuse Registry. 

Troy DeChabert-Schuster, State Director of AARP in the Virgin Islands expressed staunch support for the proposed measure. DeChabert-Schuster stated that elder abuse was not an abstract problem, that it is a harsh reality in the territory, saying that it is often hidden in silence. DeChabert-Schuster referenced an earlier measure, which became Act 8318 which laid a foundation for the protection of elders and dependent adults. However, he stated that the measure still left gaps because of limited training, inconsistent interagency coordination, and no registry, which would allow repeat offenders to regain positions of trust. In 2023, AARP convened a working group including the VI Department of Human Services, the US Department of Justice Elder Justice Division, the Board of Nurse Licensure, the Bar Association, prosecutors, medical professions, and advocates. He stated that the proposed measure reflects the most urgent recommendations from that effort, which include the Multi-Disciplinary Protection Team to review high risk cases, and the Elder and dependent Adult Abuse Registry.  

After further discussion of the measure, it was voted upon favorably.  

Senators present at today’s committee hearing included Angel L. Bolques, Jr., Carla J. Joseph, Marvin A. Blyden, Alma Francis Heyliger, Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Franklin D. Johnson, Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., and Avery L. Lewis.  

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