~Minister of Justice Tackling Outlines Plans to Utilize the Crime Fund for Community and Crime Prevention Projects~
PHILIPSBURG:--- In a recent press briefing, Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling shed light on the underutilized Crime Fund in St. Maarten. This resource holds significant potential for funding crime prevention initiatives and supporting community projects. The Minister addressed questions from the media about the fund’s current status, its potential uses, and the steps being taken to ensure it benefits the people of St. Maarten.
The Crime Fund: A Resource Waiting to Be Tapped
The Crime Fund, which currently holds over four million guilders, has remained largely untapped due to a lack of applications and structured policies. Minister Tackling acknowledged this gap and emphasized the need to create awareness about the fund and its potential impact.
“Up to now, no projects have been funded because nobody applied for funding,” the Minister explained. She noted that the ordinance governing the fund requires projects to have a clear focus on crime prevention, which has limited its use. However, she is determined to change this by reaching out to institutions and organizations that can contribute to crime prevention efforts.
Targeting Youth and Community Projects
Minister Tackling highlighted her vision for funds, particularly its potential to support youth-focused initiatives. “What better place to start with an investment than to invest in projects for our youth?” she remarked. The Ministry is already in contact with the Ministry of Education and other organizations to explore structured programs for young people.
Some of the initiatives under consideration include martial arts programs, collaborations with the St. Maarten Youth Brigade, and other community-based projects aimed at early intervention and crime prevention. These efforts align with the broader goal of addressing systemic issues and reducing youth involvement in crime.
Learning from Regional Partners
During her recent visit to Aruba, Minister Tackling gained valuable insights into how other islands utilize their crime funds. Aruba, for instance, uses its crime fund to supplement the operations of its Ministry of Justice, while Curaçao has a crime fund with 25 million guilders that supports various projects annually.
Minister Tackling is exploring ways to adapt these practices to St. Maarten’s context. She emphasized the importance of leveraging partnerships within the Kingdom to gain technical assistance and strategic policy advice. “We need to use these partnerships and leverage them to gain as much as we can to help the island,” she stated.
Policy and Capacity Challenges
One of the key challenges in utilizing the Crime Fund is the Ministry of Justice's limited capacity to develop and implement effective policies. Minister Tackling acknowledged that the Ministry is stretched thin, with staff focused on day-to-day operations rather than long-term strategic planning.
To address this, the Minister is seeking technical assistance from regional and international partners. Discussions are underway with Aruba, Curaçao, and the Netherlands to secure support for drafting policies and implementing projects. “A lot of times, we see pots of money available, but we can’t write a plan of approach or implement it,” she explained.
Strengthening the Fund’s Framework
As part of the country’s packages, amendments to the legislation governing the Crime Fund are being developed. These amendments aim to establish a committee to oversee the fund, set clear guidelines for its use, and ensure transparency and accountability.
The Minister also envisions reserving a portion of the fund specifically for victims of crime. This would provide financial support to victims and their families, addressing a critical gap in the current system.
A Call to Action
Minister Tackling concluded by encouraging organizations and individuals to submit proposals for crime prevention projects. She reiterated her commitment to ensuring that the Crime Fund is used effectively to benefit the people of St. Maarten.
“The Crime Fund is a resource with immense potential. It’s time we put it to work for our community, especially our youth,” she said.
With plans to strengthen the fund’s framework and increase awareness, the Ministry of Justice is taking steps to unlock the full potential of the Crime Fund, paving the way for a safer and more resilient St. Maarten.