Prime Minister Luc Mercelina (URSM), reportedly in dialogue and collaboration with Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling (SAM), on Monday asked caretaker Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof (see related story) for temporary military assistance from the Netherlands. He did so in response to the recent incidents affecting local businesses and both visitors and citizens, including the robberies at Divi Little Bay, Simpson Bay and in Maho.
According to him, this is a precautionary measure aimed at strengthening security and supporting local authorities during this period. The concerns expressed will now be brought to the attention of the Dutch Ministers of Defence and of Justice.
Mercelina called the safety of visitors and citizens “our highest priority” and said they were working closely with the Ministry of Justice, the Police Force of St. Maarten KPSM and the Dutch Marines to ensure an increased security presence at key locations as quickly as possible.
To be sure, the contingent of marines stationed on the island is relatively small, with 29 staff. Their exact possible role was not specified and may still need to be determined.
This is important because military personnel are neither equipped for nor used to executing law enforcements tasks. Close cooperation with KPSM seems crucial should Mercelina’s request be honoured.
The Defence Ministry in The Hague has been somewhat hesitant to use troops for serious policing tasks in the Caribbean on past occasions including after local hurricane hits, so it will interesting to see the answer. Their visibility as deterrent would no doubt be a major aspect.
