From left: Chief of Basic Police Care for Saba Inspector Wingrove Baker; KPCN Communication Advisor Miluska Hansen; Chief of Basic Police Care for St. Eustatius Robelto Hodge; Chief of the Caribbean Netherlands Police José Rosales and KPCN Officer Zackary Janga.
ST. EUSTATIUS--There were a total of 76 collisions, 33 thefts and eighteen burglaries in St. Eustatius last year, figures released by the Caribbean Netherlands Police Force KPCN on March 22, show.
According to Chief of Basic Police Care for St. Eustatius, Robelto Hodge, a total of 76 collisions were reported to the police, 12 of which were with injuries. Three incidents occurred with drivers having an accident with a stationary object. A total of 43 fines were issued. There were also seven reports of reckless driving and four reports of street racing. There were no fatal traffic accidents in 2021.
In 2019, there were approximately 60 traffic incidents and 80 in 2021. The increase is believed to be due to youths operating scooters and motorbikes, which were involved in collisions. The police urge the public to follow the laws.
Property crime
With regard to property crime, in 2021 a total of 33 incidents of theft were reported to police: five thefts from stores; two bicycle thefts; seven motor vehicle thefts and 10 cases of theft from outside of properties/land.
The use of force was reported in one incident of theft, and in that case the perpetrator was prosecuted and sentenced.
Burglaries
A total of 18 burglaries were reported last year, 13 of which were committed at companies/businesses and five at private homes. Fifty per cent of the burglaries have been solved and the perpetrators arrested, prosecuted and convicted. The police urge businesses and homeowners to protect their property as much as possible. Persons in need of tips can get these from the police by visiting the station. Measures to prevent burglaries include proper lighting, proper locks and a camera system.
Violent crimes
A total of 29 incidents of assault were reported to the police last year, including seven cases of domestic violence and 20 general abuse cases, among others; there were six violent cases involving a weapon and six cases of public display of violence/public brawl.
There were 16 reports of destruction of property/vandalism. The perpetrators of these crimes are known.
Threats/verbal abuse
A total of 26 incidents of threats/verbal threats of violence were reported last year, 15 of which were general threats; four threats of murder and seven threats to use a firearm. Threats with a weapon accounted for 26.9 per cent, general threats 57.7 per cent while cases of threatening to kill were 15.4 per cent of the total.
Hodge said threatening someone is a criminal offence, for which persons can be prosecuted, whether they intend to execute those threats or not. The police discourage this type of behaviour because it is punishable by law. The police urge the public to refrain from issuing threats or from engaging in conduct that can result in having a criminal record and the associated negative consequences.
