Philipsburg: -- Due to an erroneous article published by the Today Newspaper about the camera surveillance system last week. Members of the media were given detail information on the contract that was signed by the Chamber of Commerce and Liberty Consultants on the intended Camera Surveillance Systems.
President of the Chamber of Commerce Glen Carty as well as members of Liberty Consultants namely former Prosecutor Johan De Vreeze and Jack De Groot outlined their plans on the camera surveillance system they are working on.
Even though the cost of the project which is aimed at providing Safety and Security for the island is not yet known the consultants are trying to cover every aspect of the project before trying to sell the project. One of those aspects is to make sure there is an ordinance on the people’s privacy something politicians on St. Maarten would be called to work on and execute. Government would also have to come up with information on what are public and private domains, and most importantly ways of funding the project.
Carty said the contract signed in November to the tune of Naf. 144,000 and a 10% deposit were paid to Liberty to conduct its research.
When the research is completed and the report on the entire project is completed if accepted by all stakeholders then the bidding process can begin. However, the research would take at least three more months before Liberty can deliver their ideas and research on paper.
The intention of the parties or Chamber of Commerce is to sell the idea to the Executive Council of St. Maarten and other stakeholders to whom they are looking forward to for financing, input and support.
Carty said the Chamber of Commerce has no intentions of stopping what they started with their crime task force. He said even though the Indian Merchants Association has one such committee in place they would cooperate with efforts but would not throw out the ideas of the Chamber.
Giving some background information he said he was eager to have cameras placed all over the island to combat crime and he realized there was more to it than hanging up cameras. Carty said a project of such magnitude also takes a lot of time since they are also dependent on third parties.
He said some of the things needed for these projects are money and time and if the island government is not going to give them their blessings then they would have to pull the plug on the project. “We are not going to take responsibility for a project that might fail for the lack of support and maintenance. This project when completed would be providing safety and security for everyone this is the reason why the entire community should embrace it.” Carty said their focus is to get everyone in the philosophy. He made clear this project is not for the Chamber Commerce instead they are just the vehicle of the project which includes the pre-financing of the kickoff.
Carty said they are expected to meet with the new executive council in the very near future where they would give the elected officials a first hand view of the project in the making. While the Camera Surveillance System is an idea invented by the Chamber of Commerce this is not a project the Chamber wants to shoulder alone neither does Liberty Consulting. He said both the success and failure of the project would depend on the contribution given to it by the public. Carty said the only way they would be able to sell the project is if is accepted and successful. Asked how they plan to finance the project he said there are several ways to ROME.
He felt that they need to begin thinking outside of the box when asked if they would consider applying to USONA. The Chamber President said there are a number of cruise lines coming to St. Maarten and are bringing their passengers here and surely they may want to consider financing the project for their passenger safety. Another idea is to contact the bankers association and even homeland security if needed. He said the consultants has to first figure out the cost to maintain such project which includes manpower, insurances, as well as their project room.
In outlining the project De Groot in his power point presentation said they are looking at the side effects as well as the advantages of the installation of such a system.