WILLEMSTAD — The number of raids increased with 12 percent in 2011, while 492 raids were registered in 2010 and 441 in 2009, said Minister of Justice Elmer Wilsoe (PS) in a meeting of the States on crime yesterday. The PAR-party had requested this meeting.After the meeting began at 14:30, PS State member Melvin Cijntje remarked that at least 25 meetings were held on this subject the past ten years – an average of two meetings per year – in which the ministers had to explain alarming news from the society. All of these meetings had ended more or less the same, namely requesting a motion to take action.

Depending on who introduces the motion, it is adopted or rejected. In this case, opposition party PAR introduced the request at 23:30. They asked the minister to present a monthly written report on the progresses of crime combating. The motion was rejected with eleven votes, including that of Anthony Godett (FOL).

Wilsoe had also answered questions from parliamentarians but not before he gave another detailed explanation on the process of negotiations with the police unions NAPB, Abvo and SAP. Parties are yet to reach agreement on the financial details on the legal position because Wilsoe is to consider his budget. “I’ve reached an agreement with the fire brigade and the latter had to wait for 30 years or more.”

In an emotional appeal for presentation of the figures, interim corps’ chief Marlon Wernet pointed out that many generations are coping with serious social problems due to the vicious circle. “Underage mothers are often unable to raise their babies properly, especially if their own family is unstable.” Almost 30 percent of the prison population is younger than 24 years. The other 70 percent are mostly repeated offenders.

Children

Wilsoe mentioned the phenomenon that many minors were arrested the past years for (armed) raids. In November, a lad of merely 14 was arrested for a raid. He was not detained but it appears he was involved with two raids last month. As known, Wilsoe focuses on prevention, which means investing more in the Government’s Reformatory but also in the Guardianship Board and Family Guardianship Institute for counseling.

Figures

Wilsoe’s figures show the increase of the number of raids, with peaks in March, May-August and October-November last year. However, in 2009, the police had registered 551 raids. 2004 registered a low point with 1000+ and 930 raids in 2005. Considerable investments were subsequently made in tracking capacities and the number decreased to over 50% per year. Since then, the number fluctuates around this figure.

Last year, 157 were arrested on suspicion of committing a raid, of which 28 had been minors and 5 females. A firearm was used with 247 of the 492 raids. Violence was used in 190 of the cases. The police solved 179 cases, which amounts to 34.6 percent. Most of the raids occurred at public places (61 percent), residences (15 percent) and companies (24 percent).

Twenty-two people died during violent offences in 2011 compared to 18 in 2010 and 15 in 2009. The peak years were 2002, 2003 and 2004, with 45 to 53 casualties per year.