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PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The board of the United People's Party (UP) conveys its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Police Officer Gamali Benjamin who will be laid to rest on Thursday.
"We mourn with the entire country the passing of our local hero who proudly served with humility and honour.
We call on the business community as a move of solidarity once again to close their businesses half day on Thursday as a mark of solidarity with the family of Office Benjamin and the Police Force of Sint Maarten.
At the same time it would allow employees an opportunity to pay their respects to our hero," the UP Party Board said on Wednesday.
"On behalf of the UP family, supporters, myself and family, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Officer Benjamin, his colleagues in the Sint Maarten Police Force, his friends, and the population of Sint Maarten.
"Officer Benjamin is a national hero. He like many of his colleagues fight crime on a daily basis.
Our country is in mourning and our hearts are heavy. Officer Benjamin is a great loss to his family, a great loss to his profession and country Sint Maarten. May his soul rest in eternal peace," Leader of the UP Party Member of Parliament Theo Heyliger said on Wednesday.
"We applaud the initiatives outlined by the Minister of Justice to be taken, but we cannot stop there. It remains of paramount importance that all stakeholders positively contribute to curbing crime in our country. It is not only the responsibility of the Police Force and other law enforcement agencies.
"We need all hands on-board to fight this scourge. It starts from every household, every community, Community Councils, civic organizations, social-cultural organizations, church/religious groups, youth groups, girls and boy's brigades, business organizations and unions," added the UP Party Board.
