Philipsburg: ----- Information reaching SMN News states that some of the workers from Sherriff Security who are working on the newly launched "bicycle patrol/ we watch while you shop" are not in possession of working documents for St. Maarten. Most if not all of the officers are from islands as far as Guyana and Jamaica, the source said.Reliable sources has informed this media house that communication between the Zero Tolerance Team is highly hindered since some of the security officers are not able to fully communicate with local police. "Even though almost everyone on St. Maarten speaks the English Language, police officers use the Papimento language as their main language of communication."
"Can you imagine we have people working among us and we don't even know who they are, the Zero Tolerance is busy conducting immigration raids in several neighborhoods and government is allowing people who are not even supposed to be on the island to work directly with the police." The source said while the person in charge of the officers as head of the Zero Tolerance Team who are conducting the raids he has people working for his company illegally. This they said is in direct conflict of interest and something has to be done on regulating matters.
During the launching last week commissioner Maria Buncamper Molanus said the 15 new officers who are part of the bicycle patrol would be working in close cooperation with the police namely the Zero Tolerance Team. "The way the commissioner put this is as if there was some sort of agreement with the Police Department and the Island Government or even Sheriff Security. All of which is far from the case" said the source.
The island government has placed some Naf.40,000 for the project since they are doing all they can to combat crime during this holiday season. According to information reaching SMN News the executive council wants to make sure they do something to assist the justice chain which is always a topic of discussion during the constitutional talks.
Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards said the decision to have the bicycle patrol was taken by the executive council and it was an initiative of Commissioner Maria Buncamper Molanus. However, Richards was not able to say whether or not if these people are legal residents and how long they have been residing on the island.
While it is a known fact the island needs more security to help combat crime it is unacceptable for illegal migrants to work with police and provide security without a weapon.
In an invited comment Acting Chief Commissioner of Police Richard Panneflek said he was involved in a meeting with the management team of the police force yesterday (Monday) where this matter was fully discussed. He said the team has decided to send a letter to the island local chief of police and Lt. Governor on the matter, included in the letter would be an advice as to who is responsible for providing security. The top cop said he is not in a position to divulge much information on the matter but said he hoped this matter will be addressed shortly since they met to discuss certain issues that are affecting the proper functioning of the police and matters that have to be expedited.
