Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
~ 50 firearms handed in on Dutch side ~
PHILIPSBURG--The Stop, Drop and Go campaign has been hailed as a success and will be extended to November 14, the Ministry of Justice announced Thursday, October 30. Adding to the campaign is an anonymous tip-line initiative with a reward system which launches today, where illegal firearm possession can be reported.
Former Lt. Governor of the Island Territory of St. Maarten Max Pandt gave in three firearms on Thursday, in the presence of Ministry and Police officials. Pandt said that the rifle handed in was used only once for hunting, another weapon was an old police pistol and the oldest, a revolver which belonged to his grandfather and was made in 1895. Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson thanked him for supporting the project.
Today would have been the last day that illegal firearm holders would be able to hand in their weapons voluntarily. The unexpected level of success as well as the passing of Hurricane Gonzalo were the main reasons behind the decision to extend.
Minister Richardson announced that "a tremendous number" of guns, 50 had been given in, and said that the extension would be worth it even if just one more is handed in. The Dutch side has supported the campaign through the media, speaking to schools and on the radio amongst other promotional efforts.
On the French side, there had been just six guns handed in, but they hoped that more would be during the extension. Préfet Philippe Chopin expressed that officials on both sides of the island have had a good partnership throughout the campaign.
Solicitor General Taco Stein said that the number of firearms handed in was more than he dreamed it would be, adding that the collection included all sorts of firearms, as well as a few pellet or airguns that could potentially be used to scare people.
Existing tip line number 9300 will be used for the anonymous tips, accessible on weekdays from 8:30am to 4:00pm, said Police Spokesperson Inspector Ricardo Henson. Public Prosecutor spokesperson Tineke Kamps added that there would be a reward system for firearms found through the tip line, with rewards ranging from NAf. 350 to 1,000 depending on the type of firearm found.
Many persons submitting the firearms were said to be happy to be able to get them out of the way. A few were in their early 30s, although the majority were older. Some of the firearms given in were also legal, but the owners did not want to hold on to them any longer.
Following the campaign, authorities on both sides of the island will clamp down on persons in possession of illegal firearms. Stiffer punishment will also be sought for persons found with illegal guns.
During the campaign period, illegal firearm holders can voluntarily take in their weapons between 8:30am and 4:30pm to the Attorney General's Office, on the third floor of Puerto del Sol building in Simpson Bay in Dutch St. Maarten, or at the Gendarmerie in French Quarter or Concordia in French St. Martin.
In a previous statement, spokesperson Kamps advised that persons wishing to submit a firearm should put said firearm into a brown paper bag and transport it in a plastic bag, with its bullets removed from the barrel.
