Also during these controls 72 persons were checked in connection with their legal status on the island and the identification laws. One person was arrested taken to the police station in connection with the violation of these laws.
The Police department is once again sending out a very stern message to the general public (residents from the Dutch and French side) that they should at all times, when in public, carry a valid pictured identification to their name with them, to avoid any unnecessary inconvenience or delays.
This measure is stipulated and required by law. If some-one who is being checked by police and asked to properly identify themselves and cannot do so, they will be taken to the police station. They will be then granted the opportunity to contact some-one who can bring their proper identification to the station. Once their identity has been established and everything found in order that person will be given a fine and then be allowed to leave. The police department is also sending out warnings to all business owners/managers that controls would be carried out in connection with the closing time of their businesses that is stipulated in their business-licenses or permits. Not adhering to these stipulations will result in the immediate closing of the establishment and receiving a fine.
The officers who are conducting the controls will be checking the many "blocks", "hot spots" where groups of person's gather/hangout or areas identified by police as areas where these types of gatherings take place will constantly be controlled in connection with any criminal activities that may be taken place in these areas. Parents should encourage their children to stay away from these areas. The police department also states that these controls will continue indefinitely.
