Concerns Raised Over LEPC’s Grant Delays and Inadequate Oversight on St. Croix Despite Office Rental Costs

Lawmakers express concerns about the V.I. Law Enforcement Planning Commission’s slow grant disbursement, lack of permanent staff on St. Croix, and continued rent payments for an underutilized office, urging immediate action

The V.I. Law Enforcement Planning Commission is facing scrutiny for the slow pace of grant disbursement, inadequate monitoring on St. Croix due to a lack of staff, and paying rent on the island despite having no permanent employees stationed there. During a budget hearing on Tuesday, lawmakers expressed concerns over these issues, with the commission's leadership acknowledging the challenges but offering reassurances that steps are being taken to address them.

Senator Marvin Blyden raised concerns about LEPC's ability to effectively distribute approximately $13 million in grant funding to sub-grantees, given that the agency has been without a grants manager for about a year. Despite the reassurances that the hiring process is nearly complete, the delay in releasing some $334,000 under the JAG program was noted. Lawmakers stressed the critical importance of timely fund disbursement, with some federal grants dating back to 2019 still unspent. “It’s not a very good look,” assessed Senator Novelle Francis.