Police, Justice and Crime

The detention of Sir Bobby Valasquez in connection with apparent molestation of a teenager is generating a whole ton of comments on our two main local news sites, SMNN and SXM IT that are well worth a browse through. Bobby, and the reported victim, have both been convicted, judged and sentenced and of course there is speculations galore, but between it all there bits and pieces of information that makes me uneasy about it all.

SMNN - (Airport Road, St Maarten) Winair's ticket office was robbed earlier this morning by three gun touting youths. Managing Director of Winair, Edwin Hodge pointed out that the three young men posed as customers and held up the two female employees in the ticket office at the company's headquarters. He disclosed that the unfortunate incident occurred around 11.05 am earlier today and has left employees within the company traumatized.

"It is a very unfortunate incident that occurred today, however we are satisfied with the security systems that we have in place in detecting those responsible for this incident," Hodge said. Hodge pointed out that a small amount of cash, keys, and personal belongings of the two employees were stolen while stressing that fortunately no one was injured in the three minute ordeal.

SMNN - Philipsburg:--- Members of the Police Department namely detective, forensic, the armed robbery team and the special team investigating the murder cases on St. Maarten are on go-slow. Several persons informed SMN News that they have been trying to get assistance from the police force on Wednesday but no one is helping them. Already the prosecutor's office it is understood ordered the forensic department not to take evidence from homes or businesses that were robbed because the department is grossly understaffed. SMN News further learnt that the forensic department only has one person working in it and that person was told they should only process murder scenes.

SMNN -

Philipsburg:--- Island Council lady Maria Buncamper Molanus is calling on the chairman of the island council and chief of police Franklyn Richards to answer the questions she submitted to him relating to crime. Buncamper Molanus told members of the media on Tuesday that while she received a receipt from the governor's cabinet acknowledging they received her letter to date the answers to her questions on crime was not answered. She said the behavior of the governor and failing to respond to the island council members are far from good governance. Buncamper Molanus said elected officials are the people's voice and when they speak out they are speaking on behalf of the people who elected them to office.[More....]