Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett held a poignant reception this week to honor National Police Week, paying tribute to two fallen heroes from the U.S. Virgin Islands—Detective Delbert Phipps Jr. and Patrolman Lionel E. Isaac. These officers of the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) lost their lives in the line of duty and will now be memorialized on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall.

“Their names will be forever engraved, and their integrity forever maintained,” said Congresswoman Plaskett. “Our men and women of the Virgin Islands Police Department give their full measure of devotion, their bravery, resilience, and dedication to perform their duties faithfully, and make the ultimate sacrifice.”

The event was attended by VIPD Commissioner Ray Martinez, VIPD officers, and the family of Detective Phipps Jr. Reflecting on the occasion, Commissioner Martinez emphasized the importance of honoring the fallen officers and supporting their families.

“While today is a solemn time for us, today is a good time to see my officers smiling and celebrate the lives of Detective Phipps and Patrolman Isaac,” said Commissioner Martinez. “This provides us and the Phipps family the opportunity to know that we are not alone. As much as it pains us for our loss, they will not be forgotten. Standing as a police commissioner, I couldn’t be more proud to be here and pay homage to our brothers in arms.”

Denise Phipps, the mother of Detective Phipps Jr., shared her emotions during the reception, expressing both sorrow and gratitude for the recognition of her son’s sacrifice.

“I lost my son Detective Phipps on July 4, 2023. One of the worst days of my life,” said Denise Phipps. “I am honored, and it feels a bit bittersweet as they remember and honor my son. What a joy and sadness to see that his name is there.”

National Police Week serves as a time to honor law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty and to recognize the service and sacrifice of all officers. The inclusion of Detective Phipps and Patrolman Isaac on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall ensures that their bravery and dedication will be remembered and honored for generations to come.

J. Benton Construction, a prominent leader in construction safety and innovation, is celebrating its 11th year of active participation in Construction Safety Week, observed from May 6-10, 2024, on St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. This year’s theme, “Value Every Voice,” underscores J. Benton’s commitment to fostering a safety-first culture on all its projects.

Throughout the week, J. Benton Construction conducted numerous “Toolbox Talks” across its various job sites, including the Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute Interior Renovations at the Roy Lester Schneider Hospital on St. Thomas and the Walter I.M. Hodge Redevelopment on St. Croix. These sessions, which aligned with this year’s theme, concluded with quizzes and gift card awards to engage and reward staff for their safety knowledge and active participation.

Emphasizing safety and readiness, J. Benton implemented emergency evacuation drills at job sites territory-wide, including office staff, to ensure comprehensive preparedness across all levels of the company, according to a release issued Thursday.

In addition to these safety initiatives, J. Benton Construction showed appreciation for its team’s dedication to maintaining high safety standards by providing catered lunches throughout the week and distributing exclusive JBC-branded merchandise.

Construction Safety Week 2024 aims to empower individuals at all levels of a project to speak up and contribute to safety practices, striving for zero incidents and ensuring that every worker returns home safely each day.

The Virgin Islands Department of Labor (VIDOL) issued a reminder on Wednesday to all employers regarding the new Payroll Variation Tax methodology and Experience Rating System that took effect on January 1, 2024. This announcement follows extensive briefings conducted from February to November 2023 and a December 2023 press release detailing the new Unemployment Tax rates. These updates were legislated under Act 8209 and further amended by Act 8827.

It is important for employers to distinguish this update from any delays related to the deployment of the online Employer Portal.

The updated tax framework assigns new rates to employers, which include:

• Total Contribution Rate: This is a combination of a base contribution rate and a fund solvency factor, which is recalculated annually based on the ratio of total wages to taxable wages across all employers.
• Tax Rate Factor: This element adjusts the employer tax rate to include an experience factor for the specified period.

According to VIDOL, some employers have mistakenly submitted their first quarterly reports of 2024 using the previous tax rates, which does not comply with the current labor laws. These discrepancies may lead to the accrual of interest on any unpaid taxes.

Employers seeking further clarification or assistance can reach out to the VIDOL Tax Unit at (340) 773-1994 for St. Croix or (340) 776-3700 for St. Thomas.