PHILIPSBURG - The Council on Law Enforcements on Thursday presented several of its investigation reports to the Philipsburg Jubilee Library. The reports were presented by the council’s secretary-general Marianne Steenbergen to Monique Albers, director of Philipsburg Jubilee Library.

The reports are the results of the Council’s inspections conducted in Sint Maarten in 2011, 2012 and 2013 addressing various matters related to the functioning of the judicial chain.

Investigations have been conducted, among others, into procedures followed when a crime is reported. The council’s inspection had focused on procedures followed by the police force in the event that a complaint is filed.

Another report addressed the assistance granted to victims of crime (slachtofferhulp), with the council researching the methods employed within the criminal justice system in St. Maarten for helping the victims of crime.

A report on juvenile rehabilitation in Sint Maarten assessed the method employed in St. Maarten in relation to the three responsibilities of the juvenile probation service. These are providing information and advice, mandatory support and co-ordination of community service orders.

The fourth inspection report produced by the Council on Law Enforcement was one regarding how the investigation procedure of the detective department is carried out, once a crime is reported.

In a report on adult probation in Sint Maarten, the Council on Law Enforcement detailed in which way probation tasks are executed by the probation department of the Foundation for Judicial Institutions Windward Islands in Sint Maarten. Those tasks are information and advice, supervision by the probation service, tasks within the prison and coordination of the execution of community sanctions and measures.

A separate investigative report dealing with St. Maarten’s detention capacity, in Sint Maarten looked into whether or the detention capacity in Sint Maarten meets present needs.

The report on the education of Police in Sint Maarten addressed the extent of and in which way police education is implemented in Sint Maarten.

The council carried out an inspection of border control and the movement of persons at St. Maarten’s Princess Juliana International airport, the harbor and beaches, in 2013.

The ultimate objective of the Council on Law Enforcement is to provide recommendations to the Ministers of Justice of the three countries of the Dutch Kingdom to correct shortcomings. With the presentation of the reports to the Library, the Council hopes to inform the general public about the work of the Council. The council endeavors to share its findings about organizations within the justice system, in addition to these servingas guidelines aimed at improving the workings of those organizations as well as procedures within the judicial chain in Sint Maarten, in general.

In accepting the reports, Monique Albers, director of the Library, expressed the library’s gratitude and indicated that the reports will be on display at the library. 

About the Council

The Council on Law Enforcement was established by Kingdom Act in 2011. It is an inter-insular independent body of Sint Maarten, Curaçao and the BES-islands, responsible for the inspection of the various organizations within the justice system. The Council consists of three members who are appointed by Royal Decree and who represent the three countries. The Council has a secretariat with offices in Sint Maarten, Curaçao and Bonaire. The Council’s reports are available for downloading at www.raadrechtshandhaving.com.

For further information on the Council for Law Enforcement, visit the website:

www.raadrechtshandhaving.com

PHILIPSBURG – POLICE HQ - The Public Prosecutors Office and Police Department in consultation which each other have decided to ask to public for assistance in the form of providing information regarding the recent two deadly shootings on the island.

The first incident took place on the Well road, Cole Bay on Saturday August 9^th 2014 when the victim F. Mongen was gun down in his front yard, and the second incident took place on Saturday August 16^th when the victim A. J. Maurice a.k.a “Junior” was shot to death in the parking lot of “Roof Top Night Club” on the A. Th. Illidge road.

Anyone wanting to give information can use the tip line with the direct line for the police department number # 9300 or 54-22222 ext. 203.  

Any information that the community provides will remain completely unanimous and confidential. (Contributed by the Police Force of Sint Maarten)

PHILIPSBURG—Member of Parliament, Johan ‘Janchi’ Leonard welcomes government initiatives to reduce the number of fire-arms circulating in St. Maarten. The measure was announced by the minister of justice and entails the return of weapons in the hands of persons, who are not entitled to have these in their possession.

The approach, said Leonard, is certainly a step in the right direction, considering the number of violent crimes where a firearm is used.

According to Leonard, the initiative is one that is in keeping with his own views on safety and security of St. Maarten

More Controls

MP Leonard added that he is specifically advocating more controls, as a way of complimenting the desired reduction of illegal weapons on the street. These controls would have to be implemented at possible entry points and at so-called hot spots, known to authorities and to the general public.

Our open borders make it easier for persons to enter our island and commit crime, as easy as it is for weapons to be smuggled into the country, says Leonard.

The MP said that is was encouraging to note from the minister’s statements that the initiative entailing reduction of weapons came as a result of discussions with authorities on French St. Maarten. Concrete results are always possible when we engage in open discussion with our counterparts on the French side. We need to involve them in any decision we take. Those decisions are vital to facilitate our own crime response.

Priorities in combatting crime

Leonard says that high on his agenda are priorities in combating crime.

“Restoring confidence to the public, reducing armed robberies, reducing stolen vehicles incidents, constant controls on streets, benefits all of us”, says the member of parliament.

Elaborating further, he mentions that “combatting crime lies not only with government. This must be a community effort; police will not be everywhere. Members of the community always see something, know something. The confidence in police should be restored to a level, whereby coming forward becomes the norm, even before something actually takes place”.

To the question of how local communities can play a more decisive role in their own protection, Leonard advocates active neighborhood watch groups, working in collaboration with police (and sometimes, private security firms).

Crime Prevention

MP Leonard says that he looks forward to more emphasis being placed on crime prevention, in St. Maarten, in the next governing period. With prevention, we even save lives, channeling much needed resources and manpower. So much time and effort now goes into responding to crime –with some cases remaining unresolved for longer periods.

That has to become something of the past, he says. (Contributed by MP Janchie Leonard)

SIMPSON BAY - Facing bankruptcy and the possible closure of the zoo, the St. Maarten Zoological and Botanical Garden Foundation has been organizing fundraisers in recent months, to raise much needed funds for repairs of its facilities.

“The closure of the island’s only Zoo is not an option,” said Regina LaBega, Managing Director of the Princess Juliana International Airport, SXM, which has waded into the matter as one of the main corporate sponsors of a gala event dubbed “Save our Zoo,” scheduled for Saturday, September 13, 2014 at Belair Community Center.

“It will be very disappointing to the many families, friends, and visitors, who come by to learn about animals and their habitats at the Zoo,” LaBega added.

The foundation’s dream is to create an educational and interactive atmosphere. The Zoo however, is not subsidized by Government, and has had to find ways to cover all expenses pertaining to the maintenance of the facility.

“We recognize how challenging this can be and therefore SXM did not hesitate to assist with this fundraiser,” LaBega said.

Actor, educator and activist, Lamman Rucker will be the special guest at the gala fundraiser. Mr. Rucker is well-known for his roles in Hollywood hits like “Why did I Get Married” (1 and 2), “Black Coffee,” “The Man In 3B;” and TV series “As the World Turns,” “All My Children,” and “Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns.”