Marigot: -- Several residents from numerous areas on the French side of the island have made contact with this media house expressing fear for their lives in recent weeks.
At least three residents of St. James Marigot said their homes were robbed, one of them the sister of Senator Louis Constant Fleming, and Indian merchant and a postal worker. The residents said they believe the culprits to be youngsters living in the area and are not working. They are calling on the authorities to begin cleaning up the blocks where these youngsters and drug users are hanging out. Doing so they said would reinstate some sort of safety and security in their neighborhoods. One resident said they are willing to take the law into their hands if they are to find anyone in their home.
The residents said there is not a day when someone in Concordia neighborhood is not robbed. All of which are not being reported by the gendarmerie. It is reported that a doctor’s residence was also robbed and his wife was badly beaten in a daring robbery. The gendarmes just recently brought in additional reinforcement to attack the increase in armed robberies since they said there has been a surge in the last weeks or months. However, most of the residents believe the local government has to do more to attack the social crisis and youth delinquency that is plaguing the island. They said having the gendarmes on the streets will not solve the social issues facing young people. “Right now the elected officials have to make the youths their priority and seek ways to help them out of their predicament, unless that is done the situation will not change.” Efforts made to contact the commandant and captain of the gendarmerie for a comment proved futile.
