The recent armed robbery at a Frontstreet restaurant (see related story) is annoying to say the least. Such crimes are regrettable anywhere but particularly in Philipsburg.
When one of the few businesses that still struggles to remain open there during evening hours gets attacked it has a discouraging impact on both them and others. Something must be done before the country’s capital becomes a complete so-called “ghost town” at night.
As reported in Wednesday’s edition, government has plans for a tourism police. However, including armed officers would mean two years of basic training at the police academy in the Netherlands.
Instead, these would operate on the surveillance level, translating to a much shorter course and lower Dutch-language entry requirement. Together with prospective prison recruits, a class of up to 20 candidates recruits is envisioned.
According to Justice Minister Nathalie Tackling it initially regards a pilot programme, with funding and mandates yet to be finalised. The new unit will not carry guns but batons and handcuffs, focussing on preventive action in visitor-sensitive areas rather than responding to emergency calls.
Research is underway on the use of pepper spray and tasers, although a law change will likely be needed for the latter. Without these, one might argue, the tourism police would be little more than glorified security guards.
Nevertheless, any additional uniformed presence could certainly act as aneffective deterrent. When it comes to maintaining law and order, visibility is paramount.
