2010 Annual Report - Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands

capture data in a digital format, while providing a means for
digitally routing documents through a workflow process, thereby
ensuring increased productivity and timely review.
Moreover, the Court intends to upgrade its telephone systems to
provide connectivity for both islands and inter-island Voice Over
Internet Protocol (Voice Over IP) functionality. Presently, the
phone systems in both districts exist independently. The Court
intends to link both of its offices through its existing data network
through Voice Over IP technology, thereby reducing the need to
maintain separate telephone networks. Accordingly, the Court’s
infrastructure costs will be reduced. Importantly, the telephone
network will also provide for redundancy in the event of a failure
to the primary telephone switching equipment, thereby ensuring
that telephone communications are maintained and the Court’s
operations are not disrupted due to system outages.
As previously stated, these technological capabilities are no
longer novel to courts across the country. They have become
standard practices based on the public expectation and demand
for service and access to justice. Therefore, the Court is proud
of the achievements it has made and is pleased to lead the local
judiciary in these efforts.
Judicial Security. The Office of the Supreme Court Marshal is
responsible for the safety and security of the justices, employees,
patrons and facilities of the Supreme Court and the Office
continued to achieve its mandate in fiscal year 2010.
Emergency and Disaster Response. An Emergency and Disaster
Plan was adopted in August of 2010. Meanwhile, work began
on a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) for the Supreme
Court of the Virgin Islands to establish guidelines for the Court’s
continued operations should normal operations be hampered by
a man-made or natural disaster at one or both of the Court’s sites.
The COOP is scheduled to be completed in fiscal year 2011.
Site Security. Having taken occupancy of the Court’s premises in
November of 2009, the installation of a comprehensive security
system at the Court’s premises at No. 161B Crown Bay was
paramount in fiscal year 2010. Accordingly, the installation of
integrated burglar, access, camera and digital recording system
was substantially completed during the fiscal year. Moreover,
procedures were refined to ensure appropriate monitoring by
Court personnel.
In addition, with the Court renovating the first floor of No.
18 Strand Street, Frederiksted, an extension of the security
system was designed and is awaiting its implementation upon
completion of the premises.
Dignitary Protection. During the first quarter and second
quarter of fiscal year 2010, the Office of the Supreme Court
Marshal with the assistance of the Executive Security Division
of the Virgin Islands Police Department planned and provided
dignitary protection for the Conference of Chief Justices’
Midwinter Meeting held in St. Thomas from January 30, 2010 to
February 3, 2010. Dignitary escort and protection were provided
for 126 individuals, including Chief Justices, their families and
guests from across the United States and its territories.
Training. The Marshals of the Supreme Court participated in
several training opportunities during fiscal year 2010 to include
training in Applicant Background Investigation, Courtroom
Security, Virgin Islands Port Authority and TSA-Officers
Flying Armed, and the Virgin Islands Port Authority Secure
Identification Display Area (SIDA). Further, with the Court’s
continued interest in disaster response and disaster planning,
deputy marshals were trained by the Virgin Islands Territorial
Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) in HURREVAC (a
storm tracking and decision assistance computer software tool
that combines live feeds of tropical cyclone forecast information
with data from various state Hurricane Evacuation Studies to
assist the local emergency managers in determining the potential
for effects from storms and the most prudent evacuation times)
and Tsunami Disaster Response. Further, all incoming deputy
marshals qualified on their service revolver.
Security Objectives for Fiscal Year 2011. For fiscal year 2011,
the Office of the Supreme Court Marshal will continue meeting
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