Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Police Officer Gamali Benjamin is a credit to the St. Maarten Police Force and deserves commendation for his bravery in facing the robbers on Front Street on Wednesday afternoon, says United People's (UP) party Deputy Leader Member of Parliament Franklin Meyers.
He wished the young officer speedy recovery and strength and sent words of comfort to the officer's family, colleagues in the Police Force and his friends.
~Wishes Police Officer Benjamin speedy recovery~
"The shooting of the young, brave police officer is, to say the very least, heart wrenching. Let our thoughts and prayers go out to him as he battles to stay alive. St. Maarten needs each and every one of her youngsters to help build the country.
To his family and the police fraternity, I express wishes for comfort and strength," said Meyers, who heard the shots on Front St. Street. He was leaving the Parliament Building when the shooting occurred.
"He is the first police officer on St. Maarten to be so critically wounded in the line of duty. Our police officers are the ones who run towards the danger to protect us, as residents, visitors and the country's reputation.
Many negative things are said about our officers and too often we forget they are the ones putting their lives on the line to keep us safe," he said.
"We need to put our crime situation into perspective. Government and Parliament are striving to make St. Maarten safer. We have well trained officers and a growing police force, but we face a major hurdle – finances," said Meyers.
"The country's budget is almost paper thin. St. Maarten is called on to adhere to numerous kingdom expectations without the resources and expertise to sustain a growing country. Yes, we need to get the criminals off the street. Yes, we need to lock them up and I believe we also need programme to reform and make them productive members of our society. How do we do that? We need the financial resources," said Meyers.
"Parliament has approved the 2015 budget. Yet, under the Dutch rules, the Committee for Financial Supervision CFT somewhat out ranks us. They get the last say on our budget. We have the money to proceed with the expansion of the Pointe Blanche Prison. It's in the budget. The expansion is stalled because of the CFT. Every week, I am sure the Prosecutor's Office and the Prison have to make tough choice about who to keep in and who to let go. As long as the criminals know their chances of being locked up is slim to none, they will be brazen and no MP or minister can stop them," the UP Deputy Leader said.
"I want to address some calls in the community since and even before this shooting incident for the resignation of the top management of the police, because of crime. I understand in times of stress and sadness especially in situations we have no control over, anger can rule the day. We must remember that the no police – top management or otherwise – can prevent the plan to rob or hold up a business or to murder someone. That's in the mind of the individual," Meyers said.
"Parliament can put laws in place to police everything and government can mandate the police to carry out the laws, but if there are no resources, meaning no money, there is little that can be done. Government's full-time priority should on finding resources to better our country and not on preventing instructions from the Dutch about everything under the sun. Those are distractions at the determent of St. Maarten and her people," said Meyers.
"Promoting our country is paramount. Today's incident in the heart of Philipsburg steps away from the Courthouse and Captain Hodge Wharf in the broad daylight in front of numerous cruise and stayover visitors to our shores and many St. Maarteners. We need to do get the message out there that St. Maarten is safe and this was an incident that could have been worse if not for a brave young police officer," said Meyers.
