The Prosecutor’s Office and Police Force in a joint release reminded everyone to walk with proper identification. While motorists obviously must have valid drivers’ licences, others too are actually obligated
to have their ID cards while out in public at all times.
For expatriates the latter is almost automatic because that’s how they prove legal residency, but many nationals don’t seem aware of this being a duty for them as well.
A similar law led to some opposition when first proposed for example in the Netherlands, as it brought back memories of the German occupation during World War II. Some believed the state was limiting one’s individual freedom, but ultimately the move was accepted in the interest of security.
The same reason was given for introducing a St. Maarten high-school-student identification card on which Education Minister Silveria Jacobs recently received a presentation at the Philipsburg police station (see related story). Community Police Officer (CPO) Felix Richards was involved in the coordination and all local secondary education schools meanwhile have included carrying the card in their rulebooks.
In a way such a development is sad, it was argued in this column on May 25 last year, when the plans first surfaced. After all, for many grownups such a thing would have been inconceivable when they were teenagers and even mandatory uniforms were frowned on.
However, times have changed. Metal detectors, armed guards and occasional bag searches by authorities weren’t normal in school back then either, but continuing issues regarding the safety of both students and personnel prompted these types of measures.
Especially with so many schools concentrated in the St. Peters/Reward cul de sac, something needed to be done about the frequent fights and other incidents in- and outside the area’s school grounds. There is little doubt that being able to tell whether a youngster is attending classes and exactly where can be very helpful in preventing and/or tackling this kind of problem.
Tying the student ID cards to some discounts, making them more attractive to own, was a good idea. As probably will be the case with the stated intention to upgrade school bus drivers, the student identification effort indeed appears to have been right on the mark.
