~ More patrols, controls, officers, safety vests ~
PHILIPSBURG--Justice Minister Dennis Richardson on Thursday announced a package of stiff measures that are "being considered" to go into effect "as soon as possible" to curb the spate of crime that has gripped the country.
The measures include immediately filling the 20 vacancies in the police force. In cooperation with the other law enforcement agencies there will be heightened patrols in Philipsburg. Additional bulletproof vests and other materials are presently being ordered to help ensure the personal safety of all police officers, Richardson said.
Legislation and policies will also be adapted to ban the use of motorbikes, scooters and quads, which Richardson said is "the preferred means of transportation of criminals," from being operated on Front Street, Back Street, Cannegieter Street and all associated side streets. Pending the completion of these legal measures, the police will be establishing checkpoints, carrying out preventative searches and executing joint controls in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies such as the Customs and the Immigration Department.
Richardson said high value sales points and shops which do not take security measures have become "a lightning rod" for armed robberies, thereby endangering the lives of their personnel, clients, innocent passersby and law enforcement officers who rush to their aid. He said the ministry will research the possibility of the establishing of compulsory security measures that have to be taken by all businesses. He said too that public/private partnerships will be pursued and established towards the strengthening of security measures. "As one of the focus points of the aforementioned joint controls the Customs services and the Coast Guard will increase their focus on combating the illegal importation of weapons," he noted.
Richardson extended his "heart and prayers" to injured bike patrol officer Gamali "Benji" Benjamin and his family and expresses his "continued complete support for and solidarity with the St. Maarten Police Force."
Richardson said he recently had the privilege of providing Benjamin with a token of appreciation in recognition of his outstanding and exemplary service. The Minister's first concern Wednesday was to secure the necessary medical attention for Benjamin both locally and abroad, as well as to support the family wherever possible and provide comfort to the clearly distressed colleagues.
On Thursday, the Minister turned his attention to the more general matter of what he described as "a hardening or increase in the callousness of criminal elements" in St. Maarten. "These criminal elements seem to have turned their guns on Philipsburg, too often we hear of robberies and the invasion of homes. Extraordinary measures will now be taken to turn this tide of callous crime, of disrespect for human life and disregard for the foremost pillar of our economy: tourism. This has now become a matter of securing our overall wellbeing, way of life and livelihood," he said.
Richardson reemphasized that "shooting at police officers, the very individuals working tirelessly to ensure the safety of St. Maarten's Citizens and many visitors is strongly condemned and will not be tolerated under any circumstances."
He is confident that the St. Maarten Police Force is making every possible effort to apprehend those responsible for "this heinous act" and assures the public that these criminals will be pursued for as long as it takes and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Richardson assured the public that these developments have only served to increase the resolve of the St. Maarten Police Force and all other law enforcement services to continue to do their utmost to serve and protect the public and the island's visitors through strengthening the cooperation in combating crime.
He said residents who may have witnessed the events that unfolded in Philipsburg on Wednesday or who may have information regarding the possible culprits to immediately contact the Police Department at tel. 586-8052.
