This is one of the busiest seasons for the Police Corps. For many, Carnaval is a happy time to enjoy, but for others, it is a time to pick fights, drink excessively, and arrests around the corner. The police have informed us that they will be extra vigilant, all while they themselves are not fully protected out on the streets. Many officers do not have bulletproof vests, according to the president of the syndicate, Rodney Solognier.
Recently, crime has risen so much around the island that many officers have decided to buy their own vests out of pocket. Solognier is glad they did so, but ideally such items would be covered by the job. It is the responsibility of the Aruban Government to provide the departments with the necessary equipment, as is the case here. The president of the syndicate urges the Minister of Justice to handle these affairs as was promised. The Torch Parade is the first Carnaval parade and the police are not properly equipped. ” Let us hope that nothing serious happenes”, said the president.
Not only are they missing vests, but their uniforms are in deplorable states as well. They only received two pants and it is tough to make due with such a limited wardrobe, so many are wearing other clothes when necessary. This does not even include safety shoes. Many officers who went to tend to the incident that took place on the 1st of January where people arrived on our shores, are now left without shoes. The shoes got wet during that operation and were destroyed in the process. We hope that Minister Rocco Tjon will soon tend to these issues.
