Pubdate: Tue, 09 Aug 2005
Source: Daily Herald, The  (Netherlands Antilles)
Copyright: 2005 The Daily Herald
Contact:  http://www.thedailyherald.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3566
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

LAW ENFORCEMENT

After the recent deadly flooding and its aftermath, crime and developments 
on the constitutional front -- or lack thereof -- are again grabbing 
headlines. The crime-related news in the paper these days does not give 
reason for optimism on that score. Increasingly violent and ever-bolder 
crimes committed by hardened criminals appear to be continuing unabated, 
despite efforts by authorities to curb them.

But the problem is not in St. Maarten alone, as shown by recent incidents 
on normally tranquil islands such as Anguilla and Saba. What to think of 
Bonaire, which has seen a prison escape, double murder and now children 
transporting cocaine in their stomachs in a matter of weeks.

Perhaps the solution, like the problem, is not local. The influence of the 
lucrative drugs and money laundering business on the crime scene in the 
Caribbean should not be underestimated. In Curacao it practically 
destabilised society, as it did in other countries in the region used as 
transhipment points.

Despite almost daily reports of drug hauls by authorities on the islands, 
the flow appears never-ending and the demand in consuming countries 
insatiable. The only way to fight it in this region with some effectiveness 
is to work together with other countries, as is now being done at sea, as 
local police departments simply can't do it on their own.

In the current debate on the quest for Separate Status, sparked by a recent 
poll in which 7 out of 10 voters said they neither believed it would be 
achieved nor supported it, that is an aspect that should not be overlooked. 
The cries to bring in the Dutch Marechaussees (military police) every time 
there is a crime wave, when it was already agreed to limit their role, may 
be opportunistic and after the fact; they are also understandable. In a 
time of crisis people in the Dutch Caribbean still tend to look to Holland 
for help and there is no reason to believe that will change should the 
Antilles cease to exist.

Both Bonaire and Saba have already indicated that they want Holland to 
carry the final responsibility for law enforcement, but giving the islands 
input into the policy. St. Maarten and Curacao, however, each want their 
own police, attorney general and prosecutor's office, for which their 
respective Justice Ministers will carry full political responsibility.

The latter is understandable, considering the autonomous country status 
both "big islands" are seeking. The question can be raised, however, is if 
it is also the best way to provide the maximum possible guarantee of order 
and safety to an increasingly concerned public under the circumstances.

With the survey result in mind, if there is one area in which the 
"disheartened" St. Maarten voters may be willing to compromise on what many 
obviously see as an endless and fruitless quest, it would probably be law 
enforcement if it means better security. That does not necessarily mean the 
island should give up its desire to set policy concerning local law 
enforcement, but that practical ways and means must continue to be found to 
work together closely and effectively within the Kingdom to tackle today's 
unsettling crime in a unified and decisive manner.
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MAP posted-by: Beth