A brand new V.I. National Park sign was installed last week at Hawksnest Beach, replacing a sign that was erected a few weeks ago which contained incorrect information.
The VINP sign formerly instructed beachgoers to call 911 in an emergency, despite the fact that there is no available landline at the beach, and calls to 911 from cell phones could be routed to Puerto Rico, resulting in a longer emergency response time.
The VINP was aware of the problem and changed the sign quickly, according to VINP ranger Jeff Mihan.
“When I designed the signs a year and a half ago, we had a pay phone right there,” said Mihan. “In the meantime, the pay phone is gone and we’re trying to get it back.”
VINP staff is working with Innovative in an attempt to get pay phones returned to both Hawksnest and Trunk Bay beaches, Mihan explained. The park ranger did not know when the phones would be reinstalled.
In the meantime, beachgoers are encouraged to call 340-776-9110 from their cell phones, not 911, in the event of an emergency.