Philipsburg: ---As was promised on Wednesday September 30 2009, that the police department would continue their controls and searches on school buses and students traveling on these buses heading for the school districts of South Reward and Sint Peters. In regards to the carrying of weapons and or drugs to the schools, another control was held on Friday morning at the John Cooper-Jose Lake Senior Ball Park. This joint control held by members of the 0-Tolerance team, members of the VKS and members of the Control Unit started at 06.00 a.m. and ended at 08.00 a.m. The control was held in connection with the upcoming mid-term school vacation and information coming into the police department of possible fights that may take place prior to the vacation. This is the second safety control within a three-day period. Hoping that the first control would discourage the youngster from bringing weapons to school turned out not to be that way. A total of 52 school buses were checked and surprisingly one machete, two large butchers knives, a steak knife, one switchblade, one half of a pointy scissors (perfect for stabbing), a length of chain tied with a black string which can be used and a weapon for striking (or a brass knuckle), 26 pairs of scissors and other items that can be used as weapons were found and confiscated. No one was arrested; however, these items were taken of circulation and cannot be used for the purpose they were taken to school.
The police department is once again making a serious plea to the parents of these children, to get involved in their children lives, by keeping a closer eye on what their children are doing, which they have as friends, what they are taking to school.
The parents should contact the school their children attend to and find out what is going on with their children.
The problem that we are facing here is much more serious than we think it is. If this problem is not addressed in due time, it can spiral out of control and many young persons might get hurt.
This is not only a police problem, it is a community problem. Every-one in this community has to give a helping hand. The police department is ready to work with any other organization to come with solutions to combat this problem. It is so much the police with its limited resources can do. There are many other important issues that also needs police attention, but cannot be attended to because of the present issue the police are dealing with. The controls will continue after the vacation and the schools are in operation.
Sint Maarten Academy PSVE controlled by police
Also as part of the controls and on request of the management from the Sint Maarten Academy PSVE a control was held in that school. The students were asked to open their school bags and the contents were checked-out by the police officers.
No weapons or drugs were found during this search. One knife was found hidden under a large rock during a search of the premises. After the search words of caution and encouragement were given by the Police Public Relations Officer Inspector Ricardo Henson to the students of that school, who were gathered by teachers in front of the head office of that school.
