There were some noteworthy developments on the law enforcement front this week, as the long-awaited appointment of Carl John as Police Chief was finally formalised. He is very motivated to make the local Police Force
one of the best in the Caribbean.
The latter may sound a bit ambitious, but it’s generally better to aim high when setting goals. One thing’s for sure: the necessary means will be required to achieve such.
In this light, Justice Minister Dennis Richardson’s announcement that 13 million guilders has been secured to complete the stalled prison expansion was quite welcome. There had been much concern that the project could fail, as the 2015 budget, including its capital investment part, still has not been approved, but this reportedly was prevented by making it a priority.
The same apparently is the case with the video surveillance system to be executed in cooperation with the Government-owned TelEm Group. NAf. 1.5 million is now available to install a network of security cameras on the Dutch side starting in Philipsburg, Maho and at various roundabouts.
The Minister also said teams had been formed with colleagues from Aruba and Curaçao assisted by Dutch Marechaussees to investigate 17 recent crimes. In addition, the Multidisciplinary Team comprising Customs, Border Control and the police made 36 arrests during the past two months, searched 13 homes and confiscated four firearms, along with 20 motor vehicles in connection with car theft.
All this is good news going into the high season when public safety and particularly that of visitors grows in importance for obvious reasons. More “blue in the street” with an enhanced visible presence of officers is crucial in that regard.
The pending purchase of the former Soremar building in Orange Grove to house a shooting range, forensic lab, training and storage facilities, among other things, is said to have been arranged as well. Judging by all this, residents can rest assured that authorities are not sitting on their laurels, but continue to take very seriously their role as the community’s last line of defence, despite whatever practical difficulties they face.
