PHILIPSBURG--In the continued effort to provide a safer environment for residents and visitors to the island, the St. Maarten Police Force partnered with the recently-formed Philipsburg Safety Committee to provide a series of robbery awareness training sessions to the Indian Merchants of Front Street.
The training held last month was broken down into two sessions and consisted of a theory and practical part administered by the Police Force Arrest Team which is certified in tactical training.
Present at the first training was Minister of Justice Rafael Boasman who lauded the Safety Committee for taking the initiative to partner with the police to create awareness, which in some cases can be a preventative measure or in some cases is the difference between a life-and-death situation.
“Being here today is proof that people are committed to work with us to make the island safer,” he said to the group of more than 50 merchants and their staff gathered at the Philipsburg Cultural Centre. “It shows that you understand that the police cannot do it alone, it requires the involvement and effort of each of us and I am very happy to see that we are heading in the right direction.”
Boasman also commended the police team headed by Police Chief Commissioner Carl John who personally led the training session. “I am extremely proud of my police team, which is headed by Chief John and continues to go above and beyond to find new, innovative and creative ways to conduct their daily policing tasks, while ensuring that a good relationship is maintained with members of the community,” added Boasman.
Safety Committee Chairman Eric Ellis used the opportunity to congratulate the Indian Merchants Association (IMA) for coming on board to participate in such an important venture.
“It would be remiss of me not to use this opportunity to applaud the Merchants for rising to this occasion and embracing this training being offered by the police,” he said. “It shows me that we all see the importance of ensuring a safer environment not only for us to conduct business, but also for our clients and visitors whom we serve on a day-to-day basis, because the truth is: safety and security of our island is in everyone’s best interest and should be everybody’s business.”
The trainings, which are still ongoing, are being facilitated by the Safety Committee; which comprises the Chamber of Commerce, the Insurance Association and private entities such as the Indian Merchants Association. These safety trainings are available to and are being conducted with several business entities that have requested them from the police.
