SXMElections.com

PHILIPSBURG--Philipsburg was transformed into a ghost town on Thursday, as a large cross-section of the business community in town as well as in other parts of the country closed their doors in firm solidarity with Police Officer Gamali “Benji” Benjamin who was shot and seriously wounded in the line of duty on Wednesday.

The businesses wanted to send a firm message that they are against all forms of criminal activity and hold HOPE for Benjamin’s recovery.

Benjamin arrived safely at a trauma centre in the Dominican Republic last night after being flown out of St. Maarten late Thursday. He was escorted to the airport by a number of his colleagues in police vehicles.

Benjamin’s father told the media via a friend that the Air Ambulance trip had gone “exceptionally well.” An extensive evaluation of Benjamin’s condition was in progress as of late last night. Benjamin’s family is heartened by the unbelievable outpouring of love and support they have received and continue to receive from everyone. The policeman’s father called on the community to continue praying for his son’s recovery.

In a joint press release on Thursday the Police Force and Prosecutors Office said they had received information from doctors at St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) that Benjamin had “gotten through the night [Wednesday night – Ed.] fairly well and his situation stabilised somewhat.”

A number of persons held hands in prayer during an emotional vigil for the officer’s recovery at SMMC on Wednesday evening. Benjamin’s wife and young child, who had been abroad on vacation, returned to St. Maarten on Thursday after learning of Wednesday’s incident.

Closed

The closure of businesses on Thursday came after the call was made by the Indian Merchants Association (IMA) late on Wednesday evening. All the stores on Back Street and Front Street were closed, with the exception of some food establishments, one or two small hair salons and the casinos. No shoppers and hardly any pedestrians were walking the main shopping streets and with the exception of buses, hardly any vehicles traversed Front and Back Streets during the course of the day.

Several establishments on nearby Cannegieter Street also were closed. Businesses in other parts of the country also shut their doors, signalling a very strong support for the call.

Businesses that were not in the heart of town such as both locations of NAPA Auto, Truck and Marine Parts, Caribbean Liquors and Tobacco and Kwik Bargains also closed their doors. The Le Grand Marché supermarkets, the Afoo Group, Travel Planners and other establishments opened for a few hours, then closed early in support of the action.

NAPA Auto, Truck and Marine Parts owner Michael Ferrier said both locations were closed for business in solidarity and prayer for Benjamin.

“This is not about Front Street, this is about St. Maarten. We must all take a stand. Our people, our law-enforcers, our economy, our livelihood, our island is under attack ?and we cannot be complacent or apathetic,” Ferrier said.

“Sure, there are deep-rooted social ills that desperately need addressing and redressing, but for now let us put all capable and willing heads together to come up with short-, middle- and long-term solutions regarding the safety of all people on our island and the preservation of our very fickle tourism-based economy.”

He suggested measures to be considered as part of crime fighting measures.

His recommendations include looking at the black/dark tint on front door windows and front windshields of vehicles; the use of motorbikes, motorcycles and quads on Front, Back and Cannegieter Streets; seriously looking at the laws that govern the time for which someone can be sent to jail for various types of criminal offences; the lack of capacity of the Justice and prison systems to deal with the number and severity of crimes being perpetrated in St. Maarten; and the “hardening” of society on the whole.

“NAPA Auto, Truck and Marine Parts asks that … we all stop and take stock of what is happening around us and ask ourselves what each of us individually can do to find lasting solutions to the challenges our young nation is facing,” Ferrier said, noting that the two stores would reopen for business today, Friday, at 8:00am.

The management of Caribbean Liquors and Tobacco said in a statement that it too had decided to close in solidarity with the injured officer.

“We pray for his full and quick recovery and much strength to his family in this very difficult time. While this unfortunate incident is still fresh and vivid in the minds of those who bore witness to this horrific crime in so many ways, what we are trying to accomplish today via the closure of business in a show of solidarity is only a drop in the bucket,” the establishment said.

“It would be better served that all our leaders, government, businesses, churches and schools call for a day of prayer for the injured police officer and organise a silent march to show our country’s solidarity against these ills of our society.”

Strongly condemned

In a separate statement St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) strongly condemned the actions that led to Benjamin’s shooting.

“SHTA stands in solemn solidarity with Police Officer Benjamin as he fights for his life, his family and the Police Force at this time. Police, ambulance and firemen … put their lives on the line every day for country St. Maarten. When everyone is running away, these men and women are the ones running into all situations. Too often their bravery, courage and deep sense of duty towards the citizens and visitors alike is underestimated and undervalued,” SHTA said.

It said St. Maarten was not exempt from crime, poverty or any other ills a country faces. It said Wednesday’s shooting incident was a clear example of the far-reaching consequences of the escalating crime situation in St. Maarten.

“Though an incident like this can quickly turn away visitors from our island, it is our reaction to what has happened that will determine the future of our St. Maarten’s tourism. Therefore, rather than focusing on the negatives, SHTA urges the community to focus on solution-oriented conversations. This is the time that we as a community, private and public, have to unify ourselves and effectively work on an all-encompassing plan to ensure and safeguard our community,” SHTA said.

“Crime can never truly be eradicated, as it unfortunately is a part of the delicate make-up of any and all societies. But this should not mean that we remain complacent and let crime overrun our island. Instead we should be banded together to create measures to bring about a decline in crime and ensure the safety of our citizens and visitors.”