During the recent IPKO (Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultation) conference, Bote ter Steege, former Attorney General of Aruba and former head of the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Caribbean Netherlands, called for serious attention to the issue of safety and security on the islands. Now that the financial situation looks significantly better, Ter Steege emphasizes that investment in security cannot lag behind.
Ter Steege was invited by IPKO to share his experience and vision on security in the broadest sense of the word. The former prosecutor delivered a strong message to the ministers and parliamentarians in attendance.
Investment in the security chain
Now that the economic and financial situation is recovering, especially in Aruba, and investment funds are available, Ter Steege warns not to forget the fundamental pillars of security.
“Investment funds are excellent, but do not forget ‘security’. Do not forget KIA (the prison), do not forget the police force, and do not forget the Public Prosecutor’s Office,” Ter Steege stated.
According to the expert, security is a necessary investment that costs money. He added that security is not just a matter of putting up surveillance cameras: “There must be detectives, there must be sufficient staff at the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and there must be a good prison with trained staff so that those who commit crimes can serve their sentence in the correct manner.”
The TBS issue
A point that Ter Steege particularly highlighted is the lack of an authority or facility for so-called TBS (Terbeschikkingstelling / involuntary commitment) cases on the islands. He is referring here to individuals who have committed very serious crimes, who must serve a prison sentence, but who afterwards require compulsory care and treatment due to their mental disorders.
“We must ensure that these individuals receive the necessary treatment. If they re-enter society without being treated, that is dangerous and unsafe for the community. These individuals have a problem in their heads and need help. Therefore, make sure to invest in this.”
When asked whether security should become a higher priority on the political agenda, Ter Steege answered that his biggest concern is that the topic is simply forgotten when there are other large projects on the table. He advocates for a balance between major development plans and the maintenance of public order.
“Politics often has the tendency to focus on big projects, like the energy transition taking place in Aruba. That is fantastic, and I realize it costs a lot of money. But my request is: do not forget to also reserve money for security, as I have just indicated,” Ter Steege concluded.
Bote ter Steege: Guard funds, but do not forget the safety of the islands
