PHILIPSBURG--Police Chief Carl John said during an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) press conference on Friday afternoon that police have recently confiscated three stolen vehicles. He also said police seized four illegal firearms in April.
Justice Minister Anna Richardson said on Wednesday that the St. Maarten Police Force KPSM and the French St. Martin Gendarmerie are working together to tackle a “renewed spike” in car theft.
John said the three stolen vehicles had been confiscated “in the last few days.”
“When I see the number of how many vehicles are stolen, even during the lockdown, it is worrisome,” he said.
The four firearms were confiscated during the lockdown, said John.
Regarding the increased incidences of criminality, John said, “That’s why we actually have strengthened forces. We have more manpower from the [Royal Dutch Marechaussee – Ed.] KMar and we also have more military on the island because criminal activity has not stopped, and we are seeing spikes in different areas.”
According to him, there also have been “a lot” of calls about domestic violence.
“And that does not correlate with the amount of official complaints that are made. So, we are still advising and encouraging all those who are victims of domestic violence to please come out [and] make the complaints. There is help for you, we will help you,” said John.
