MARIGOT--Préfète Anne Laubies during her New Year wishes speech this week, noted delinquency figures for the past two consecutive years in St. Martin showed a progressive decrease, and are at their lowest level in eight years.
Burglaries, however, are on the increase, especially to local businesses and this requires “specific action,” she said, before adding that a new counter-burglary plan “Vigi-Commerce” will be implemented.
“While homicides, attempted homicides and armed robberies indicate a slight decrease, there’s no option but to keep on top of this phenomenon, because the gravity of these crimes heightens the sense of insecurity felt among the population, and I am making this a priority in 2016,” she added.
On road security, five persons lost their lives on St. Martin roads in 2015 and in 2014 drivers of two-wheeled vehicles, who did not wear crash helmets paid a heavy price, including death.
In 2015, excessive speed, abuse of alcohol and non-wearing of crash helmets and seat belts, continued to be the cause of serious accidents.
She praised the work of the Gendarmerie in keeping the population safe on a daily basis, as well as Police aux Frontières (PAF) in controlling illegal immigration.
Also thanked was the staff of State services, the agency for repression of illegal trafficking of narcotics OCRTIS and the Customs Department, both on land and water.
Her New Year’s speech was held in the garden of the Préfecture annex in Galis Bay, a building that houses departments for Maritime Affairs, Social Cohesion, Sustainable Development, Labour Inspector, etc.
“I cannot begin my speech without first paying tribute to the 130 persons who died during the Paris terror attacks of November 13. I should add that the French Government sincerely appreciated the condolences expressed by President Aline Hanson and also those expressed by Governor Eugene Holiday, and the entire government of the Dutch side. In this context solidarity has been unprecedented.”
Regarding the recent signing of a convention between Gendarmerie and Police Territorial, she said this will lead to more cohesive security in the territory, noting that it is achieved through “co-production.”
A highlight of 2015 was the visit of President Francois Hollande on May 8 and since then the services of the Collectivité, ministerial cabinets, and other decentralised administrative offices have been working on the engagements he talked about, Laubies disclosed.
Among these is reform of the social benefit Revenu Solidarité Active (RSA), installation of a Court of First Instance annex, improving the Collectivité’s financial situation, the “cadaster mission,” as well as investment in education and the youth, health, and sewage and drainage and potable water networks.
European funds, she reminded, have been responsible for projects such as Cité Scolaire and the new sewage station in French Quarter to materialise.
She noted that Préfet of the Region Jacques Billant has given his approval to a Committee of Regional Administration meeting in St. Martin soon to discuss specific issues pertaining to St. Martin.
On cooperation with the Dutch side, she said she looked forward to this continuing and being re-inforced, noting both sides have the common problems of policing, security, immigration, and health (for example Dengue, Zika, etc).
