Dear Editor,
Recently a friend of mine was assaulted and beaten to the ground only to be kicked and beaten further.
A witness, evidently from the neighborhood, at the time volunteered information to the belatedly arrived police. This information concerned the identities and addresses of the assailants.
The police, I gather, did nothing other than extending their apologies, quite rightly, for their tardiness and registered the names of the victim and witness.
Ensuingly my friend filed a complaint, only to be informed that due to a lack of manpower and skills the complaint would not be pursued any further soon as it was one of the many cases, and fortunately a less serious one. Fortunately for my friend, a medical examination, at the SMMC [St. Maarten Medical Centre – Ed.], determined no injuries beyond significant bruising, aside from the psychological trauma of having been physically assaulted.
This victim was informed by one of the gathered bystanders that these youthful neighborhood perpetrators were known to them and had done this before.
I have difficulty comprehending the lack of willingness or capability, on the part of the police, to pursue a matter of direct physical assault; especially in light of being in possession of video footage of said assault, and at least one witness statement.
I can only find great admiration for the courage shown by that neighborhood resident in coming forward at possibly great risk to his/herself, or utter contempt for the functioning of an essential body of the country of St. Maarten. Perhaps if should hold out its hand further for another extended handout from the Dutch in order for those living here to be allowed to do so in safety.
Bill Nietzman
