The New Year must have greeted many with renewed hope and optimism for a new year of prosperity, breaking loose of the shackles that stood in the way of success.

There are numerous resolutions each of us as citizens can aspire to achieve, which will make the Virgin Islands the beloved Territory for residents and visitors. At the top of the list should be the return of economic mobility, reversing the slothful economic growth that affected the Territory over the past 12 months or so.

Such movement will not be easy as the financial services sector is anticipated to be faced with some of the same challenges that punctuated years of growth. The global attention placed on offshore centers is expected to continue to drag on a while longer.

There are external risks to the Virgin Islands that we cannot control; however, recent events are a stark reminder of the dangers that lurk which could threaten peace and stability for these islands.

The shocking news that two tourists lost their lives in almost similar circumstances is indeed sad, especially given the infancy stage of 2010. Police have reported that in separate incidents, two male tourists encountered difficulties while swimming in local waters and were later pronounced dead at Peebles Hospital.

These incidents highlight the inherent danger of life surrounded by sea. Last year, there were a number of water related deaths and officials have promised to increase beach surveillance and to enforce safety measures for small boat operators.

Now is the time to bring about fundamental change that will restore safety at sea. Problems we have to confront are also creeping around on land.

There is simply not enough space in this column to encapsulate the various challenges which range from crime to effective planning. Last Sunday, a lone gunman carried out a brazen attack on an off-duty police officer attached to the Road Town Police Station.

Chilling as it is, the incident highlights an emerging trend when rouge elements are prepared to take their actions to a whole new level as they seek to disrupt the peace by challenging the security of the state in a direct and unprecedented way.

During 2009, there was evidence that such elements were prepared to act and they did just that by breaking into the Road Town Police Station to remove seized motorbikes.

Such incidents must be an eye-opener to all and more so for the guardians of the law to carefully assess the fragile nature of law enforcement and to examine conditions under which ranks are operating.

At issue is the arming of certain ranks while off-duty. While this is a situation which no one would wish to have happen, the truth holds that now is the time for our leaders to begin to examine some way of arming ranks, but not through a sweeping policy, rather through a systematic plan that will give validity through a process of selection.

While we grapple with more seasoned criminal activities, we must not shudder to remain vigilant for the youth among us. Finding new ways to confront the challenges facing our youths will be crucial given the unparalleled involvement of youth in various crimes during 2009.

The trend needs to be reversed, but not before there is full acceptance that there is a dangerous problem. The year, 2010 is expected to be a year when political moves will be made as the Territory prepares to enter into another electoral cycle.

During 2009, the voice of the people was not timid against the traffic lights, the four lane highway along Waterfront Drive, a proposed contract with BiWater and some other developmental projects which were proposed during the year.

The one fundamental mistake made by the Government during 2009, was the lack of effective dialogue with residents. It is hoped that such a trend will be revisited during this year.

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