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Laveist, Buncamper-Molanus react sharply to ‘scary’ remarks
by The Daily Herald
Posted: Mar 10, 2006 14:30 UTC
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PHILIPSBURG - Statements by Police Chief Commissioner Derrick Holiday Wednesday regarding the delay in starting the Soualiga Team of tourist-oriented police drew sharp reactions from within the Democratic Party (DP) camp Thursday.
Commissioner Louie Laveist said he was “irritated at Holiday’s approach and it is time to uncover the ugly at top level in police management” while Island Councilwoman and Member of Parliament Maria Buncamper-Molanus argued that the police force of St. Maarten was not using its limited resources in an effective manner.
In his remarks published in Thursday’s issue of The Daily Herald, Holiday was reported as saying he had learnt that the Executive Council planned to set up its own Soualiga Team and he considered such a development “scary.”
However, Buncamper-Molanus shot back yesterday saying, “I think Holiday’s remarks are scary. I think the fact that for the commissioner who is responsible for the safety and security of all people in St. Maarten to make such a remark is disappointing.”
Buncamper-Molanus said she imagined that with the limited resources available to the police, more effort would be put into being tactful and implementing good strategy in places where criminal activity is bound to happen. “That’s why the Executive Council came up with the idea of having the Soualiga Team.”
The team would be present at highly populated and frequently visited areas such as Maho, Caravanserai and the Great Bay beach promenade. “It is not now that we are talking about this issue and that a solution seemed to have been found.”
She said it was “scary” to see that the resources available were not being used in an effective manner. “And to chop off the blame or the responsibility on the officers who enforce the law I think is unfortunate. After all, it is those in charge that are responsible as to deciding where police presence will be.”
She said she hoped that as a result of her raising the issue, it has now caught the attention of those who have the responsibility for safety and security.
She said she hadn’t received an answer from the Executive Council thus far regarding the questions she had posed. “I do hope, however, this has motivated the Executive Council, the local chief of police, the chief commissioner of police and all involved to do something.”
Laveist said he wanted the excuse-giving to end and intended to seek an audience with the Lt. Governor as Local Chief of Police to discuss the matter.
“The time for finger-pointing, excuses and more excuses is long gone. I am stating here and now that I want to go beyond Mr. Derrick Holiday, as it appears that he does not have a solution and that excuses will remain the order of the day when it comes to solving crime,” Laveist told The Daily Herald Thursday night.
He said he planned to suggest that Richards attend a special Central Committee meeting to say what steps will be taken to deal with the crime situation.
“To be as diplomatic as I could, I am very irritated at the approach that was taken by Derrick Holiday to the concerns expressed by Member of Parliament Maria Buncamper-Molanus and the general public of St. Maarten with regard to crime,” Laveist said.
He said he regretted that the Executive Council’s wish had not been carried out and made a comparison to the captain of a boat. “If the captain can’t follow orders, how could the boat get to its destination safely?” he asked.
He said he was not after Holiday’s head, nor was he attempting to “bring down one of my own,” but the island’s national security appeared to be under attack by criminals.
“I am not on a head-hunt. What I want is accountability and that I am not getting from Mr. Derrick Holiday up to this point, but if what is reported in the Camelia-Römer report is true, the public needs to know how the Local Chief of Police is going to handle it. I am certainly not against these officers, because I am not on a suicide mission, and I know better than going against the police force,” Laveist added.
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