Philipsburg:--- On Saturday January 8th 2011 upon invitation by the Chief of Police Chief Commissioner Peter de Witte a visit was paid by the Dutch Minister for Home Affairs and Kingdom Relation Minister Piet Hein Donner to the Police headquarters in Philipsburg.Minister Donner is on a working visit to the six Dutch territories. At the police headquarter Minister Donner and his delegation was met by Chief commissioner de Witte and members of the police management team.
In the conference room at the police headquarters an extensive presentation was given by Chief commissioner de Witte in regard to the present situation within the police department, such as the lack of manpower, lack of equipment, training for personnel, leadership and the increase in crime and criminal activities on the island. A planned approached to combat the present situation was also presented to Minister Donner and a request for 20 police officers from the Netherlands to come to assist the local police department for a three year period was made. The addition of these 20 officers will definitely ease the pressure under which the police department functions and help to create improve the sense of safety in the community.
This three year period will allow the police department, according to improvement plan, to recruit and train its own police officers. At the end of that period which will be in 2014, the local police department will be self sustainable.
After the presentation Minister Donner was given tour of several neighborhoods giving him a personal view of the areas where regularly, under difficult conditions and situations the police department has to function.The first stop was at the recently finalized housing complex at the Hope Estate. There the minister was received by the president of that housing project Mr. Henry LYNCH who provided a tour of the complex for the minister.
A tour through Sucker garden, Dutch quarter area and surrounding, including the Emergency houses in Union farm was also given and an explanation of the concerns of the recent increase in crime and criminal activities in these areas.
Finally, there was a visit to the Belvedere Community Center where the Minister DONNER was met by the founder and managing director of that community center Jessica Richardson. A complete tour of the facilities and an explanation of the daily operation of that organization that was given. Minister Donner was very impressed by what he saw and commended Jessica Richardson for the tremendous work and dedication she put into this organization and wished her much strength and success in the future.
And the end, Minister Donner thanked Chief Commissioner Peter the Witte and the management team for the very informative presentation and extensive neighborhood tour. He also stated that the request for police assistance from the Netherlands definitely will be a priority that will be discussed.
