PHILIPSBURG:--- “We applaud the move to install cameras around Philipsburg as a deterrent to crime, but we must start the discussion on the socio economic factors particularly the socioeconomic problems like youth unemployment, migration and an increasing sense of inequality-- all of which are a hot bed for crime-- if we are serious about deterring crime,” leader of the One St. Maarten People Party Lenny Priest said in a press release.
The OSPP leader’s statements come on the heels of news that security cameras have been installed in the Philipsburg area as part of continuing efforts to curb crime. He expressed concerns that having the cameras in just one area initially may serve to move crime from that area to another and not necessarily deter the criminals from committing crimes. “There is now more interest locally in the economics of crime which has been stimulated by the dramatic spike in brazen crimes that have been occurring. Research indicates that a widening income gap with respect to richer regions—which compared to most of the other islands we are—increases the probability of delinquent behavior. Growing inequality is an important factor of crime and we cannot expect to tackle crime without tackling this head on. The time for this discussion is right now,” Priest said.
He noted that demographic factors reveal important and significant influences with higher crime rates occurring in highly urbanized areas. “Being young and unemployed tend to increase the probability of committing crime so why aren’t we doing more to get our young people into work? The ‘Chicago school of thought’ claims that criminals are ordinary people of all racial backgrounds who were profoundly influenced by the poverty and social instability of their neighbourhoods and that such factors may produce all types of crimes. Visit our jail cells and examine the background of the inmates and you will find that this explanation can be applied almost across the board. We need to have discussions of what can we do to encourage, motivate and guide people away from crime. We need to address the socio economic factors and provide more opportunities. The cameras are a good start to deter criminals but it’s also important to take action to discourage people from seeing crime as an option or a solution,” Lenny Priest opined.
He added, “therefore it is important to revisit proposals from the OSPP that were sent to every member of the present and past parliaments of St. Maarten. We are referring to the proposed Van Hugh Law (Lei di Bion) sent on February 10, 2015 to parliament and the Council of Ministers. This would have encouraged the business community to employ young people between the ages of 18 to 30 years that were registered as unemployed. The business in return would receive a tax credit of Naf 9,000 per year per employee. Secondly the OSPP proposed the establishment of a loan guarantee fund to help create new businesses. The backbone of every economy is small businesses and these small businesses create real jobs. These are just some of the ways that we can deter crime and alleviate poverty.”
According to Priest deterring crime is not just the job of the police since the policy makers are the ones to introduce programs to tackle the factors of crime, examples of which he cited as increased levels of unemployment, poverty, transiency, decreased levels of economic opportunities and community participation, poor housing conditions and a lack of access to services.