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~Fail to pay; get locked up~
PHILIPSBURG--Police will be sending a firm message to troublemakers and law breakers during the carnival period.
The police will be issuing fines on-the-spot for a number of offenses during the carnival season, Chief Public Prosecutor Ton Maan told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday.
The intention is to let the public know that causing trouble or committing certain offenses will hurt you in your pocket. "We are doing this to let people know that misbehaving will cost them money," Maan said. The issuing of the fines on-the-spot is being done under a "conditional dismissal," meaning if the fine is paid the offender won't be prosecuted, Maan said.
Persons, who fail to pay the fine on-the-spot will be locked up for as long as possible. The intent will be to hold them until the end of carnival, following which those held will be indicted on June 3.
The fines range from a minimum of NAf. 100 for offenses such as fighting or obstructing a carnival parade procession to NAf. 600 for cases of ill-treatment.
Persons who are held during carnival for offenses for which fines cannot be immediately instituted will be held for the duration of carnival and indicted on June 3. Reporters were told that similar on-the-spot fines were issued during carnival in Curaçao and Aruba and the action is highly effective.
Persons will have to pay their fines immediately, and will be given a receipt of payment. The police will let offenders without cash on them get this from an ATM if and when possible.
The offenses for which fines will be issued under the General Police Ordinance include: Not following commands of a police officer; disturbing a parade; fighting in public (not ill-treatment); removing, replacing or taking down of a police barricade and throwing of bottles NAf. 100 or US $56.
Under the Weapon Ordinance persons found to be in possession of a weapon (not a firearm) or an offensive or harmful object can be fined NAf. 500 or US $283; resisting arrest NAf. 300 or US $169; not adhering to an order given by a police officer NAf. 500 or US $283; insulting an officer on duty NAf. 300 or US $169; verbal threat (not group/gang related) NAf. 500 or US $283; ill-treatment NAf. 600 or US $339 and lastly, destruction of property NAf. 300 or US $226.
Under the Opium Ordinance (drug law) persons found in possession of cocaine up to 03 grams can be fined NAf. 300 or US $196; possession of cocaine of more than 03 grams, but less than or equivalent to 05 grams NAf. 500 or US $283; possession of marijuana between 05 to 20 grams NAf. 250 to US $141; possession of marijuana in excess of 20 grams, but less or equal to 30 grams NAf. 500 to US $283 and possession of 06 to 10 Xtc-pills NAf. 500 or US $283.
