The increase in violence around local schools as well as on school buses is a serious concern. What’s more, the attack captured on camera and mentioned in Wednesday’s paper looked more like the savage beating of a defenceless victim than a normal fight.
Mind you, the culprit in that case was arrested, but there were similar incidents in the following days. Police had been stationed at the area in question when students came out on Thursday, to prevent further escalation.
The latter was no doubt at least somewhat reassuring to educators, parents and their children. However, it’s not clear how long this precautionary measure can be continued, also considering the shortage of law enforcement personnel.
There are a lot of theories about the reasons for these undesirable developments. Many blame video games and/or poor upbringing at home.
The Prosecutor’s Office looked at it from a different angle, calling for a youth detention facility. Currently youngsters in custody must be kept either at the inadequate police cells in Philipsburg or the Pointe Blanche prison for adults for lack of a better alternative.
It’s obvious that this situation is not conducive to behavioural improvement. The importance of separate accommodations for underage offenders with an emphasis on resocialisation is recognised worldwide.
Apparently, the Miss Lalie Youth Care and Rehabilitation Centre in Cay Bay remains closed not so much due to the damage inflicted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, but mainly because of operational problems, including a serious lack of discipline among clients. It is said that the teachers who worked there before simply didn’t feel safe anymore.
While admittedly plenty of other challenging issues exist within the justice sector, this matter deserves the highest priority. Without proper guidance the persons involved stand a much greater chance of becoming yet more revolving-door criminals St. Maarten does not need.
