~ Still waiting for issues to be rectified ~
PHILIPSBURG--The NAPB and ABVO police unions say they are heartened by the outpouring of support from the community in response to the challenges they continue to face, but still are waiting for authorities to address the issues for which they have been lobbying over the years.
The unions extended thanks to Education and Culture Minister Silveria Jacobs on Monday for making a public plea to the community to pray for the Police Force and to Pastor O. Wilson, who delivered what the unions called a “powerful” prayer for the Police Force during the National Day of Prayer on Sunday, January 10.
“Your prayers mean so much to us,” a spokesperson for the unions told The Daily Herald. “It touched our hearts and brought tears to our eyes knowing we have not being forgotten in this country.
“We have suffered so much with the loss of our dear colleague the Person of the Year Mr. Gamali “Benji” Benjamin; Office Ranis, who lost his foot; Ms. Edgen, who lost her battle to cancer; and our other three colleagues Mr. E. Wiel, Officer Mr. V. Arrundell and Officer Boasman who is in Santo Domingo at this present moment. We are hoping for the best outcome.”
The unions said they were praying along with the community of St. Maarten that the issues for which they had been fighting would “once and for all be finalised.”
“We are not giving up on our faith and our trust in God. We will continue to seek for what is due to our men and women in blue of this country who serve and protect this country. These benefits are long overdue. We believe that Government has to step up to the plate and has to come with some kind of understanding to the matters for officers.”
The unions said they still were awaiting the appointment of the new Minister of Justice.
“Up to now, we have received no word. We have been going from door to door knocking for the issues that we have been fighting for (functie huis, plaatsing plan Landverordeing) to be in place. These things should have been in place since 2010 and we are now in 2016. It is very frustrating to us.
“Our men and women in blue, Immigration and police personnel, deserve better. Everyone is taking us for a ride, but God is holding us strong. We not giving up,” the unions said.
