While, we are aware of the very difficult circumstances under which our law-enforcement officers other have to operate, such must ALWAYS take into consideration the basic human rights of all, including one's dignity, whomsoever the person is.
At times a very strong enforcement of the law is called for, but NEVER should for instance young children be traumatized in the process.
Also, it is time that police-officers learn to be more professional, by being polite and identifying themselves, something many feel they are too big for.
For the record, we are not taking any sides of the reports reaching us, but prefer erring on the safe side, by issuing a caveat to our police-officers, not to ever get carried away and do unto others, what they would not appreciate police-officers doing to them, or their loved ones, if they were living in a strange country.
At the same time, we believe that it is up to the various national associations as well to inform their people about the fact that St. Maarten also has laws which should be respected and that their people should stop putting themselves and their children in 'harms way' , realizing full well that this island is in a crisis and can 'take no more' and that therefore the natives and police-officers are becoming extremely 'short-fused'.
Leopold JAMES
Preident SNBF/ L'Association L' Esprit de Concordia
