For the third time, the Law Enforcement Council (Council) conducted a review into the state of affairs regarding the follow-up of its five outstanding recommendations on the Crime Fund. The Council concludes that the management of the Crime Fund still shows concerning deficiencies. This applies both to the implementation of applicable legislation and to the prioritization of improving the identified bottlenecks. In six years, insufficient progress has been made, and the five recommendations have still not been implemented.
One of the consequences is that projects that contribute to combating crime – and by extension the safety of citizens – are not forthcoming. The Council fails to understand the ongoing delays and the lack of follow-up on the recommendations for ensuring the preconditions for sound management of the Crime Fund. The conclusion in 2025 is quite evident: the Minister of Justice has consistently failed to follow up on the Council’s recommendations.
Overarching picture
Law enforcement and the administration of justice are among the core tasks of the government to protect the safety of individual citizens and society. Where the government imposes rules on citizens and enforces them, the government itself must also comply with the rules imposed in legislation. According to the Council, it is unacceptable that the minister has systematically failed to comply with the applicable rules (including the preparation of an annual policy plan) for many years and has given insufficient priority and guidance to ending invalid practices as quickly as possible.
Years of unnecessary delays
Over the years, the alarm has been sounded by various parties, but this has still not led to the necessary results. The agreements made by the country in the context of the Country Package have also not resulted in the necessary attention and expediency. The Council reaffirms that a conscious choice must be made to only use the Crime Fund for the purpose for which it is intended and that the framework for this must also be established without delay.
Prioritization and recommendation
It is time for action. Prioritization is urgently needed to bring all aspects of the fund’s management into order. Based on its third follow-up inspection, the Council therefore reiterates the need for immediate attention and prioritization of the fund. In view of the current findings on the crime prevention fund, the Council urgently recommends that the Minister of Justice follow up on the five recommendations and make the necessary resources available as soon as possible.
The full inspection report and all other publications of the Council are available digitally on the Council’s website: www.raadrh.com.
Press release: Raad voor de rechtshandhaving, Sint Maarten