Spate of Violence has Governments Attention

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten - The Prime Minister of St. Maarten,  the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams  has expressed  her deep  concern over  the recent spate of violence the community has experienced. The PM made her comments while abroad attending the Caribbean Overseas Countries And Territories of the European Union Conference in Montserrat; “I am saddened to learn of the recent spate of violence  in the communities of both sides of our island and I would like to express sympathy and strength to the victims and their families as they struggle to cope with these incomprehensible acts of violence and disregard for human life and rights. I trust that our law enforcement authorities will do their jobs and  I encourage our citizens to have faith in our authorities and to assist them where they can.

“The situation has my full attention and the Government of St. Maarten will  continue to do all that  is within its power to ensure that our population is safe and secure.

At the same time, attention needs to be paid to the social and health issues that contribute to persons' state of mind. Mental health in its various forms and gradations also deserves our attention . The limited data available to us suggests that there is a worrisome number of persons who have to cope with effects of poor  or unbalanced mental health. 

We need to work with the organizations that provide service to the  chronically mentally challenged as well as those with bouts of mental lapses, chronic depression etc.

We need to sensitize our services to these illnesses.

“Finally I again would like to wish the victims and their families much strength as they seek healing and try to cope and overcome the loss and stress due to these  acts of senseless violence,” concluded Prime Minister Wescot-Williams.