PHILPSBURG:---- Police arrested at least 14 persons after a riot broke out in the Dutch Quarter around 10 pm Sunday night.
SMN News learned that a police control was taking place in the area when they received a call around 10 pm informing them that shots were fired. Police also seized a scooter from one youngster, which led to the riot.
A marine was hit in the head with a rock and was taken to the St. Maarten Medical Center for treatment. A police pickup truck was burnt, and another police vehicle was also damaged.
Police Spokesman Joe Josepha said that police began working in the area around 10 pm when police were called; the spokesman said up to 8:30 am this morning, police officers were still on the scene trying to bring the situation under control. He said four vehicles were damaged as the protesters placed a bus in the middle of the road in the area of Garden of Eden and Nazareth Road; the bus and two other vehicles were set alight. The police spokesman said police were battled with rocks, and shots were fired at them while the road was blocked off and cars set on fire. He explained that police left the scene twice and returned with a different action plan before the situation was controlled.
Josepha confirmed that at least 13 persons were arrested, while the Dutch Quarter road remained blocked.
In a follow-up statement, the police spokesman said that the situation in the Dutch Quarter is still very fluid, and the police, including the marine, will be back in the area this evening as they intend not to back down on persons who want to do as they please. "I need these youngsters to know that this is not Sandy Ground, and the Police (KPSM) and the outside help they receive will not back down as much as they were battled with rocks and shots fired at them."
