PHILIPSBURG:--- Owner of NAPA Auto Parts Michael Ferrier will be closing both NAPA stores today “Thursday” as he heeded the call of the Indian Merchants Association (IMA) who called on all business owners on Front and Back Street to close their businesses today in solidarity with wounded bike patrol Gamali Benjamin. Ferrier said that while the IMA called on businesses on Front and Back Street he believes that what is happening on St. Maarten is not about Front and Back Street alone but it is something that affects the entire country.
On Wednesday Officer Gamali Benjamin was shot several times when he walked in on an armed robbery at Ore Diamante Jewellery Store on Front Street. Up to early Thursday morning the wounded bike patrol was clinging on to life at the St. Maarten Medical Center. According information provided to SMN News officer Benjamin was in a comatose state since one of the several bullets fired at him lodged in his brain.
Police managed to shoot one of the robbers who is also nursing his injuries at the St. Maarten Medical Centre while they are still in search of the second suspect.
Michael Ferrier of NAPA Auto, Truck & Marine Parts SXM on Thursday morning announced that both NAPA Parts stores on St. Maarten will be closed for business today, August 6, 2015, in Solidarity and Prayer for Police Officer Benjamin who is fighting for his live a the SMMC after being shot by a coward with a gun on Front Street in Philipsburg, Wednesday August 5, 2015.
"This is not about Front Street, this is about St. Maarten. We must ALL take a stand. Our people, our law-enforcers, our economy, our livelihood, our island is under attack and we can not be complacent, or apathetic. Sure there are deep rooted social ills that desperately need addressing and redressing, but for for now let us put all capable and willing heads together to come up with short-, middle- and long term solutions regarding the safety of all people on our island and the preservation of our very fickle Tourism Based Economy."
Items to be considered (again): Black/dark tint on front door windows and front windshields on vehicles; allowing motor bikes, motor cycles, Quads on Front, Back or Cannegieter Streets; seriously look at the laws that govern the time someone can be sent to jail for, for various types of criminal offenses; the lack of capacity of our Justice and prison systems to deal with the amount and severity of crime being perpurtrated on St. Maarten; the "hardening" of our society on the whole;
NAPA Auto, Truck & Marine Parts (SXM) asks that today we all stop and take stock of what is happening around us and ask ourselves what each of us individually can do to find lasting solutions to the challenges our young nation is facing.
We will re-open to the public tomorrow morning, Friday August 7, 2015, at 8 AM.
Other businesses such as Le Grand Marche, Prime Distributors will close their doors at 12 noon today said Danny Ramchandani.
IMA is requesting its members to close their businesses in solidarity with Officer Benjamin who was injured today in the line of duty and is presently struggling for his life. Officer Benjamin was on patrol during a daytime robbery at a jewelry store on Front St. today. We stand in prayers for his speedy recovery.
IMA also condemns strongly the escalating crime situation the island has been experiencing in the past few weeks especially in Philipsburg Area. IMA is hoping that this situation has the immediate and urgent attention of the authorities as it threatens the very foundation of the Tourism Economy of St. Maarten. IMA is looking forward to addressing the details of the security concerns with the relevant authorities as soon as possible.
Carribean Liquors Closed on Thursday in Solidarity with families of Wounded bike patrol and KPSM
Following the robbery incident of Wednesday August 5th 2015 whereby Office Benjamin has been critically shot by the perpetrators, Caribbean Liquors & Tobacco wishes to inform everyone it will be closed today Thursday August 6th 2015 to the public in solidarity of our stricken police officer. We pray for his full and quick recovery and much strength to his family in this very difficult time.
While this unfortunate incident is still fresh and vivid in the minds of those who bore witness to this horrific crime, in so many ways what we are trying to accomplish today via the closure of business in a show of solidarity is only a “drop in the bucket”. It would be better served that all our leaders, government, businesses, churches and schools, call for a day of prayer for the injured Police Officer and organize a silent march to show our country’s solidarity against these ills of our society.
