SXMElections.com

~ Concerned about financing for proposals ~

PHILIPSBURG--National Alliance (NA) and the Democratic Party ((DP)) said in a joint statement on Tuesday that the information shared during Monday’s urgent meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament on crime did not warrant a closed-door session.

NA and (DP) said they had not immediately protested the calling of the meeting in a closed door session to give Government “the benefit of the doubt” as it pertains to the sensitivity of the information being shared and possible ramifications it might have on the outcome of the case.

The parties noted that the “information shared by the Council of Ministers, however, was not such that the public needed to be sheltered from the reality.”

The two parties said there had been repeated calls on Government for open communication with the public to put an end to speculation. “Of late, most meetings of interest to the public are being held behind closed doors, which defeats the purpose of allowing the public to know first-hand,” they said.

At a (DP) press conference on Tuesday, (DP) leader Sarah Wescot-Williams said that when the meeting resumed on Friday it should be public.

The meeting was called to discuss the escalating crime situation emphasised by the shooting and subsequent death of bike patrol Police Officer Gamali “Benji” Benjamin while responding to a robbery at a Front Street store on Wednesday, August 5.

In the joint release, the parties said MPs had touched on preventative measures and had made recommendations during Monday’s meeting, particularly in the areas of regulations for scooters, measures for communities outside Philipsburg, parenting, the labour situation, the economy and other societal ills plaguing the community.

“We were quite concerned about the financing for many of the proposed changes, including hiring some 30 police officers needed to bring the Force up to the minimum level of functioning,” it was stated in the press release.

“We firmly believe that we are very late in reacting to violent crimes now, while we should have seen this coming 10 to 15 years ago. A neglected society will surely breed ill will, lack of compassion, blatant disrespect and the types of behaviour we have come to accept as normal.”

The questions posed to the ministers included:

Do we really want change?

Are we going to demand transparency and accountability from our Government-owned companies and foundations?

Are we going to finally get answers as to how we plan to increase tax compliance now?

Are we going to be told yet again there is no money while our teachers, social workers, nurses and police continue to cry and the “have nots” see it floating all around?

Where will the money to fund these immediate changes come from?

How can we better train and protect the officers?

And: What kinds of benefits exist for next-of-kin if an officer is maimed or killed in the line of duty?”

According to the parties, Justice Minister Richardson was advised about the importance of sitting with police officers to hear their challenges and being open to address them as they continue to work under less-than-favourable circumstances.

“The call was repeated to not allow Officer Benjamin's death be in vain,” the parties said.

The Central Committee meeting is scheduled to continue on Friday, August 14, when Government is expected to provide answers.