The Commission on Security is headed by Ambroise Lake.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
The debate regarding safety of goods and persons is an ever present debate within our societies, and in Saint-Martin it is of paramount importance since our main resource is tourism. The slightest incident goes around the world within a few minutes. Neglecting security on the island renders all other efforts vain. Indeed, campaigns aiming at attracting tourists will not be successful as long as the perception regarding security will be negative. And, unfortunately this perception is negative for the moment. It is negative outside; it is negative in the eyes of our own citizens.
Our Committee examined the current situation and solutions that can be implemented quickly, without large financial costs while remaining within our jurisdiction as an overseas territory; solutions which will be based on a more active partnership with the State. We thank civil servant of both the State and the Collectivité, who preferred to remain anonymous for obvious reasons, for their analysis and advice. We also received advice from professionals involved in security in other Regions and overseas Territories
While it is true that the crimes and offences are committed in all societies and are a threat to the security of the people, IT IS THE DUTY OF THE STATE, BUT ALSO THAT OF THE COLLECTIVITE OF SAINT-MARTIN, TO PROTECT ITS CITIZENS AND TO ALLOW THEM TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHTS AND THEIR INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM IN AN ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE TO THEIR WELL-BEING. It is therefore, first, prevention which is necessary for the community, because enforcement is essentially within the jurisdiction of the State.
"Prevention of crime calls for proactive and non-criminal measures which specific aim is to reduce crime by acting on contributing factors, both on the circumstances and on the environment in which are committed the offences or on the factors that predispose to crime."
DIAGNOSIS: DELINQUENCY IS PRESENT EVERYWHERE BUT WITH DIFFERENT CHARACTERISTICS IN DIFFERENT NEIGHBOURHOODS
Global figures do not give a precise picture of the situation because they do not take into account two very important factors in Saint-Martin which are the size difference between the various neighborhoods and movement of populations. An analysis of the territory must, therefore, consider the particular situation of each neighborhood:
- Global figures for delinquency
- Resident population
-Population present during the day.
SOLUTIONS:
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A TERRITORIAL CRIME PREVENTION POLICY, MANAGED BY THE NEW TERRITORIAL OFFICE FOR CRIME PREVENTION:
MISSION:
- Provide leadership at territorial level by identifying effective means to prevent and reduce crime by isolating risk factors affecting the most vulnerable populations in high risk environments.
- Propose policies
- Develop and manage funding programs initiated by the community.
- Support interventions based on research
- Search for funding outside of the Collectivité, both in the private and public sector (example in the private sector: in the USA and in Sweden, companies employ young people from the vicinity in their security department; in the public sector: inter-ministerial fund for crime prevention).
- Work hand in hand with the territorial Police, gendarmerie, schools and associations providing assistance to young people.
A COMMITMENT FROM THE PRESIDENT:
Security, in the Organic Act, is also a sovereign prerogative of the President. This is why he must commit to:
Reform the territorial Police instituting permanent training, decentralization of its workforce in the various district annexes (see New governance Policies of the UD);
Increase walking and cycling Brigades;
Support extra-curricular associations that actively tutor young people (including sports and cultural associations);
Prioritize the security component of the cooperation program with the northern part of the island, specifically combating drugs;
Renegotiate with the State the project to build a prison and the establishment of a Court of first instance.
CONCLUSION
We fundamentally believe that our security and delinquency problems cannot be resolved positively in a difficult economic climate which is leading to the pauperization of our society. Although security is, above all, a prerogative of the State, the Collectivité cannot remain idle because insecurity affects its citizens, the international image of Saint-Martin and the sustainability of a society confronted to multiple challenges.
Although no society will reach perfection in this matter, We believe that prevention, whenever possible, should be used. But, unfortunately, it is also necessary to exercise repression. It is the balance between these two means – with time, more prevention will lead to less repression - which qualifies, ultimately, an adult democratic society.
Planification, prevention and repression, but essentially ACTION.
