Monday’s front page photo showing five guns may have been a bit disconcerting, but the proliferation of illegal firearms is a serious problem. Keep in mind that these plus a sixth one had been confiscated over a four-month period though.
Nevertheless, they are primarily connected to armed robberies on Front Street jewellery stores, an all-too-common modus operandi. That makes it more worrying when considering the urgent need to restore the tourism economy that provides for practically everyone’s livelihood.
These violent crimes took place as the island had barely started to recover from this unprecedented COVID-19 crisis. There was reportedly one the very day a first cruise ship with passengers called on Port St. Maarten again.
While the latter should certainly not be the kind of image portrayed by the destination and the Philipsburg shopping area, there is another way to look at it. At least the weapons were taken off the streets and out of the hands of suspected delinquents.
The Prosecutor’s Office mentioned that these are only some of similar assaults this year. Extremely important is for law enforcement to act quickly and decisively in such cases, so the impression is not created that culprits can easily get away with it.
Invasive and high-impact offences must remain a priority, for obvious reasons. Particularly for these anti-social thugs putting the people’s lives and daily bread at risk, there can be no escaping justice.
