Philipsburg: ---The various Community Councils on the Dutch side of St. Maarten came together for the first time on the island to join forces against the ever-growing problem of crime.The United Task Force Against Crime, a task force consisting of representatives of each community council, organized a panel discussion on Sunday at the Belair Community Center.
The event was open to the General Public.
On the panel was Prosecutor Mud, Chief Inspector Carl John, Police spokesman Ricardo Henson, Acting Chief of Police Ademar Doran, Pastor Philbert, and child psychologist Alexandra Halley.
The public had the opportunity to pose questions to the panelists and come up with their own solutions to crime in their neighborhood.
Clarence Richardson who is the Chairman of the Community Councils Task Force Against Crime urged the public to do their own part, to start to play a greater role in their own community against crime. He stressed that crime is everybody's business and should not be left up to the police alone to solve and prevent crime but that each and every individual can contribute in their own way. Pastor Philbert noted that parents have to go back to basics and bring up their children with good morals and respect for their elders and the law.
Several panelists also told the audience that it is important to know your neighbor and to be a good neighbor.
Acting Chief Ademar Doran presented a list of the crime statistics to the audience dating from 2005-2009.
Doran noted that the list is a preliminary report and police will be looking into the data to find out if certain crimes are going unreported.
Doran told the audience that the police force is understaffed and what they have been able to accomplish with solving crimes is a testament that his small police force is a hard working one.
Many from the Chinese and Indian community groups attended Sunday's panel discussion.
The Community Councils Task Force Against Crime will continue with organizing more events in the near future as well as seeking an audience with the relevant authorities to discuss the Councils findings and presenting solutions to the crime situation, as well as pledging a working relationship with the police force.
(Jadira Veen Press Release)
