Philipsburg: ---Police on Dutch St. Maarten began an intense general control on Saturday November 1 during the evening hours. The team consisted of members of the Marechausses and the Voluntary Korps St. Maarten.
The controls were held at several locations where some 26 persons were detained for residing on the island illegally. They are from Haiti, St. Lucia, Jamaica and Guyana. These controls, as promised by the Police Department, will be taking place throughout the upcoming holiday season.
This early start is to get a better grip on the present situation and to focus on the most occurring types of serious criminal activities.
The intention of the police is to make themselves more visible in areas where criminal activities may take place or are likely to take place. These controls are general and all illegal activities will be dealt with.
The Police Department is urging the business community or persons who may have illegal person working for them, to immediately get all documents for these persons in order or take immediate measures to let these persons travel back to their respective countries. Any illegal person caught working or residing on the island will be arrested and processed for their safe return to their country.
All businesses or companies will be held totally responsible for those persons caught working illegally with that business or company. A severe fine will be given and all expenses to cover the cost of the safe return of that person or persons to their country will be the complete responsibility of that business or companies.
Police also intends to conduct intense traffic controls and they are calling on drivers making use of the public road to have his or her driver license and all documents for the vehicle they are operating.
All persons twelve years and older should at all time carry a picture identification with them. Those who do not have identification with them will be taken to the police station until such is thoroughly investigated. A fine would be issued to persons who have failed to walk with their identification.
