PHILIPSBURG--The St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry (COCI) on Monday said that the country cannot have a healthy and safe community if education, health and labour issues, such as unemployment and abuse of the labour laws, are not addressed.

 

The Chamber was at the time reporting on a meeting it held with stakeholders on Thursday, August 6, to discuss the escalating crime situation. The meeting was sparked by the shooting of bike patrol officer Gamali “Benji” Benjamin, who was gunned down while responding to a robbery in progress at Oro Diamante on Front Street on August 5. He succumbed to his injuries on Saturday.

 

Attending the Chamber meeting were representatives of NAGICO Insurances, Indian Merchants Association (IMA), St. Maarten Chinese Association, SUNFED, Down Street Business Community Council and Association (DBCCA), St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA), Afoo Group, Lama Guest House, St. Maarten Small Properties Association, Joshua Rose Guesthouse and the Cay Hill Association.

 

The Chamber said the meeting was well-attended. Several proposals and “action points” to be executed by stakeholders were formulated during the session. The details of the action points and proposals were not provided in the release. The Chamber said stakeholders in the meeting also support the actions that will be undertaken by authorities.

 

“The St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry is aware of the initiatives and actions by the authorities to enhance safety and security in St. Maarten,” the Chamber said in the release.

 

According to the COCI, the combined effort of authorities and stakeholders to combat crime can result in “immediate, mid-term and long-term” actions that can benefit all.

 

“COCI shall continue to support undertakings aimed at achieving the best results by government and stakeholders, but reaffirms its commitment to the business community and the general public to work actively on the implementation of measures that will enhance safety and security. We will address the underlying social issues that are at the basis of the crime spree,” the chamber said.

 

The Chamber did not specify how it will achieve this.