Help have arrived for SXM Police, looters targeted…
A number of police cars contributed to the justice department on St. Maarten by the Dutch Government, could be seen lined up in front of the police station in Phillipsburg. It is believed that both the BES Islands of Saba and St. Eustatius are to receive their share of these cars. The additional vehicles will provide more mobility for police to carry out surveillance around the Dutch part of the Island. The police department along with the extra officers and Dutch military, currently on St. Maarten, will continue stepping up its zero tolerance on unlawful behavior since the passing of hurricane Irma and the hunting down of the looters that are still at large.
In the meantime, the prosecutor’s office has been reaching out to looters who wish to return goods looted during the passing of Hurricane Irma by granting a grace period valid until November 01st 2017. The declaration states that the prosecutor’s office is prepared to take into account the looters who regret their acts. It is known that many residents committed criminal offences during and after the Hurricane. More specifically in the case of looting, there have been many searches in recent days and almost daily, suspects are being detained.
According to the prosecutor’s office they have noticed signals that some people are sorry for what they have done and by this means, they have established a scheme for those people who make themselves known and voluntarily returned the looted goods to the prosecutor’s office every work day between 10:00 and 12:00 noon. This scheme is valid only until November 01st, after which, the police and the prosecutor’s office will continue to investigate suspects in full force. There will be no consideration given then, to those who regret their actions.
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