According to a press release issued by the Government Information Service (GIS) of St. Maarten, “The Security Plan was discussed on Monday between the Executive Council and Dutch Minister of Administrative Reforms and Kingdom Relations Atzo Nicolaï, during which mention was made that the island is to get its own Security Plan.”

The St. Maarten Security Plan will be part of the Antillean Security Plan, which is a joint project between the Netherlands Antilles and Holland. NAf. 55 million has been earmarked for that project, which must be spent by the end of 2007. These funds will be channelled to approved projects via the development fund organisation USONA.

The release stated, “The Security Plan for the island is to be set up with the broad support of the St. Maarten community.”

GIS quoted Richards as saying, “Security is something that concerns all of us. The body politic shouldn’t be the only ones involved in formulating this plan, but also civil society which includes the non-governmental organisations, churches, educational sector, the business community and the individual citizen.”

He continued, “Getting as many people as possible involved in determining the content of the plan should lead to a broad consensus of views. This means also that time will have to be dedicated, which should be seen as a lasting investment. It is better to have a good plan that has wide support than a plan which is drafted in a hurry and does not reflect that broad community support.”

Speaking in his capacity as Local Chief of Police, Richards said that with his responsibility for public order and security, he would play an active role in this process. He said, however, “But let me emphasise that I will not be doing it alone.”

The Antillean plan aims at improving the security situation on all islands of the Netherlands Antilles and has an integral vision. It focuses simultaneously on five security pillars: prevention, protection, re-socialization, repression and improved management of organisations in the judicial chain.

The objectives of the Antillean Security Plan are a drastic reduction of violent crime with priority placed on violent robberies, crimes committed using firearms, and domestic violence; the reduction of drug-related crime; intensification of the fight against international terrorism; maximizing, streamlining and coordinating the immigration process; and durable improvement and strengthening of the management of services that form part of the law enforcement chain.

Source: Daily Herald