DUTCH CARIBBEAN:--- The police forces of the Dutch Caribbean, in cooperation with the Council of Chiefs of Police, announce the launch of an inter-island firearm surrender initiative targeting illegal firearms.
This joint initiative is a collaboration between the police organizations of the Dutch Caribbean, in close coordination with the Public Prosecutor’s Offices of Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Aruba, and the Caribbean Netherlands, including Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius.
For the first time, all of these islands are working simultaneously on an initiative focused on the surrender of illegal firearms. The primary objective of this coordinated action is to provide individuals who are in possession of an illegal firearm with the opportunity to voluntarily surrender it during a designated period, without facing criminal prosecution for violations of firearm legislation.
Through this collective action, the islands are sending a strong message: illegal firearms and gun violence will not be tolerated in our communities.
The project reflects the shared responsibility of all islands to strengthen public safety. The synchronized implementation of this action demonstrates a regional strategy of unity, aimed at reducing the number of illegal firearms in circulation and, consequently, preventing firearm-related violence.
Based on the results of this initiative, the police forces, together with the Public Prosecutor’s Offices, will intensify their efforts. This will include conducting controls and judicial searches across various locations on the islands, aimed at detecting illegal firearms.
The police forces of all islands call upon every citizen to take responsibility and contribute to safer communities by making use of this opportunity. By surrendering your illegal firearm now, you avoid criminal prosecution and help save lives.
Further details regarding the timeframe, locations, and procedures for surrendering firearms will be communicated individually by each police force in the coming days.
