Police increase
presence in town
PHILIPSBURG--Police officers stepped up their presence in Philipsburg this past weekend as promised, visibly patrolling the capital of the Dutch side of the island in cars and on foot.
Police in bullet-proof vests were spotted patrolling through town in an effort to restore the feeling of safety to shoppers and merchants after a string of brazen robberies disrupted some of the peace in Philipsburg. The police Zero Tolerance Unit was out in force along with the Voluntary Corps of St. Maarten VKS officers.
Acting Police Chief Commissioner Richard Panneflek assured the community last week Friday that the police would redouble their efforts stamp out crime and said officers would “shift their priorities” to focus on criminals using Philipsburg as their staging grounds. “Putting priority means that certain areas will receive less attention,” Panneflek told The Daily Herald.
Panneflek’s comments came in response to a fear from businesses operating in town, particularly on Front Street, that they would be the next victims in a recent spate of jewellery heists. Park Avenue jewellery store across from Pasanggrahan Hotel was robbed on Thursday about midday, the fourth store hit in the past two months.
Business owners have expressed fear for their safety and the deaths of their businesses if they suffer one of these attacks.
Fresh calls were made by the merchants Thursday for more police presence to restore a feeling of security in their daily operations.
