Two news items in the local media drew attention yesterday and again today. Stichting Monumentenfonds Aruba, SMFA, lamented the increasing incidents of vandalism, suffered by historic, restored buildings.
SMFA restores buildings of cultural importance in Oranjestad then turns around and rents them to local merchants thus raising funds for more restoration projects, yet lately, the buildings have fallen victim to broken glass, fires, dumping, and SMFA struggles with the speed of necessary repairs.
Another news item, same day, and very relevant, our new Chief of Police, since August, Ramon Arnhem, shared his concern regarding the scarcity of policemen/women. The force is currently in need of reinforcement, as it operates on 50% of its capacity.
And those who are working, according to Arnhem, are tired, very tired, having to work long consecutive shifts without relief on the horizon.
KPA faces great challenges to recruit fresh blood, they already lowered some standards, but still good candidates are hard to find, those who apply do not comply with the minimum requirements.
The chief reports he is about to meet with the minister to go through the police to-do list, in an effort to reduce the number of tasks assigned to the men in blue.
We are grateful for the chief’s candid report, he comes with fresh eyes, from the Netherlands, and a new broom clearly sweeps cleaner. I hope he doesn’t lose heart in view of the mounting difficulties.
I clumped these two issues together, SMFA & KPA, because our underfunded and neglected educational system bears the blame. We have failed this current generation, due to lack of good governance. The country’s excessive spending, never leaves much for education, health care and law enforcement.
We suffer from unacceptable high failure rate in schools, which in turn results in many unfit to be employed and earn a living. They join their peers on the street, and I am careful not to say gangs, though I hear talk about the subject. Point in case, double shooting in Noord, last weekend.
Our educational system is severely underfunded and poorly managed, that combined with the breakdown of parenting endangers our social fabric, and puts Dushi Tera in a tight spot, as an uneducated generation doesn’t qualify for a good paying job, and instead hangs our defacing monuments.
Carnival in Noord last night was very well handled by the police. No wonder they are tired.
