There is good and bad news in today’s paper. It’s a reassuring thought that Dutch police officers will not only continue to work in St. Maarten until at least September 1, but their number is also being increased to 34.
Since the passing of Hurricane Irma an average of 20 officers from the Netherlands have supported their local colleagues. The assistance with manpower as well as vehicles and other materials in short supply has generally been welcomed both in- and outside law enforcement.
The current state of the island in terms of damaged infrastructure, including still poor lighting in certain areas and dire socio-economic circumstances with widespread unemployment and lack of income, requires security perhaps more than ever. Safety is also a major factor in the recovery of the tourism economy on which the livelihood of practically every resident ultimately depends.
Less fortunate is word that Member of Parliament (MP) Chanel Brownbill was convicted for tax fraud and sentenced to 18 months in prison of which 15 were suspended, with 240 hours of community service. As he must in principle serve the three non-conditional months, his verdict raised concern about the minimal parliamentary majority of the new coalition of United Democrats (UD) of which he is part and St. Maarten Christian Party (SMCP).
However, Brownbill is filing an appeal, which basically means the sentence’s execution will be delayed. If he goes all the way to the High Court in The Hague this process should take about two years.
The Constitution does call for the suspension of MPs once held in pre-trial detention. However, that did not happen in this instance and a lower court conviction alone is not enough for an MP to be side-lined or expelled until it becomes irrevocable.
By the way, the next UD candidate in line for a seat is Perry Geerlings, followed by Tamara Leonard, Jules James, Claret Conner and Leona Romeo-Marlin. One or more of them could also enter the legislature if any persons among the party’s biggest vote-getters become Minister.
While there is thus no real reason to worry about the incoming Government, the case nevertheless sends yet another undesirable message about the country’s political establishment. In that sense, all politicians and public administrators alike have their work cut out for them to undo this negative image and regain the people’s trust.
