St Maarten Government News

Kralendijk – In week 39, the deputies Kroon and Tjin Asjoe and Lieutenant Governor Rijna took part in administrative consultations at the invitation of the State Secretary of BZK Knops on Sint Maarten. The main topic of discussion was the government’s response to the information provided by the Council of State with regard to, among other things, the coordinating role of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations in relation to the Caribbean Netherlands and the Interdepartmental Policy Study on the Caribbean Netherlands. The government position and the underlying documents will be published very soon, after which the Executive Council will consult with the Island Council and any other interested parties to take a position as a public entity in Bonaire and to convey that to the State Secretary.

Adjustment of Electricity and Water Act BES

The Executive Council, after consultation with stakeholders including the management of WEB, responded by letter to the ministries of I and W and EZK to the amendment of the Electricity and Water BES Act proposed by the departments. As you know, it became apparent last year after the introduction of the law that it had undesirable consequences, particularly for small-scale consumers, including low-income households. At the request of the OLB, the ministries have promised to amend the law. Through internet consultation, everyone was given the opportunity to comment on the draft text of the amended law. In its letter to the ministries, the BC urged that the principle of solidarity, as it applies to users in the European part of our country, also apply to the Caribbean Netherlands.

Safe and sound

Deputy Den Heyer signed the cooperation agreement ‘Bonaire healthy and well’ during her working visit to The Hague with State Secretary of Health, Welfare and Sport Blokhuis. The agreement focuses on, among other things, the strengthening of first-line family and youth care, the approach to domestic violence and child abuse, elderly care and informal carers. The Ministry will make 1.5 million dollars available annually for its implementation up to and including 2022.

Working visit of State Secretary Van Ark

State Secretary Van Ark (Social Affairs and Employment) will pay a working visit to Bonaire from 1 to 5 October, which is largely devoted to the Central Dialogue. The BC has consultations with the Secretary of State about developments on Bonaire that affect her portfolio, such as the social security system, childcare and – in the context of poverty alleviation – the benchmark for a social minimum to be determined.

Participation Oceans Conference

As a member of the Overseas Countries and Territories Association, the OLB is expected to participate in the Ocean Conference that will be held in Brussels from 15 to 18 October. The OLB will be represented by Lieutenant Governor Rijna and deputy Tjin Asjoe. The Bonaire delegation has been invited by the organization to give a presentation about the Blue Destination concept. The presence in Brussels is also used to also conduct an exploration of European Union development funds that the OLB may call upon for the financing of, for example, components of the Blue Destination concept.

One man is dead and another injured in a shooting that occurred in the vicinity of Clean St. Maarten and telecommunications company TelEm on Pond Island around 11:00am Thursday.

One of the victims died at the scene, having sustained a fatal gunshot wound. The injured man was shot multiple times and was treated at the scene by personnel of the Ambulance Department. He was later transported to St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) where he is said to be in serious condition.

After the shooting, the gunman A.R. turned himself in at the Philipsburg police station and is being detained. The Daily Heraldunderstands that the suspect drove himself to the police station in a small, red vehicle. However, this has not been confirmed by police.

The identities of the victims are not known as of 1:30pm Thursday.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, said police.

The central dispatch directed the police patrol on Tuesday October 1st 2019 to an insurance company, where a man tried to insured a stolen motorbike. After a short investigation at the insurance company, the police became aware that the motorbike the suspect had in his possession was stolen some days ago. The suspect with the initials E.CV.P was immediately arrested for being in possession of stolen goods. The motorbike was also confiscated. The suspect was brought over to the police station for questioning.

During questioning of the suspect by the detective department it became clear that 2 other men were also involved in the fencing of the motorbike.

Later in the day, the men with initials R.C.C and V.E were summoned to the police station in Phillipsburg and were immediately arrested.

All suspects involved, are now being held for questioning. This detective department is still busy with this investigation.

The police department is warning the public about buying vehicles suspected of being stolen.

Police is reminding the public that :
• Any person being in possession of a stolen vehicle can be arrested and the vehicle confiscated.
• If it was reported stolen to the owner’s insurance company, they will likely recover the vehicle and return it to the owner.
• Chances are that You will not be able to recover this vehicle nor your money paid for it. So “Buyer beware”.

The detective department arrested 3 men on Tuesday October 1st 2019 in an ongoing investigation .The suspects with the initials E.N.M, I.L and R.J are all accused of theft and fraud from a well-known liquor store on the Buncamper road.

After being arrested the suspects where all brought over to the police station in Philipsburg where they were incarcerated pending further investigation. This investigation is still ongoing.

Firm Announcement

The executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (CTPR), Carla Campos, welcomed Tropic Ocean Airways to Puerto Rico during a round table with the press held today in Bahía Urbana.

Evidently more school voilence as a younger student was assaulted along the short cut path. His face was slashed and his phone stolen. Authorities arrived on the scene after.

Just yesterday the police announced a task force to deal with the issue of voilence in schools, might be too late.