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Published On: Wed, Dec 11th, 2019

Community service for violating Zero Tolerance policy

Public Prosecutor's Office entrance

PHILIPSBURG – The election campaigns are in full swing and with this in mind the public prosecutor’s office has issued the rules of engagement under its Zero Tolerance Policy. Identifying fifteen possible violations, grouped under general rules, the firearm ordinance and the penal code, the policy makes clear that, after permission from the prosecutor’s office, auxiliary officers are independently authorized to impose community service of up to twenty hours, while police officers are authorized to impose community service of up to 60 hours.

The Zero Tolerance Policy applies to the period leading up to the parliamentary elections on January 9; it is similar to the policy that is applied to events like the Heineken Regatta, carnival and to the hurricane season.

Claude Chacho Peterson 468x60

Political parties do not need a permit to host a rally, but the organizers must inform the ministry of justice and the police force of location, date and time. The prosecutor’s office states in a press release that “manifesting individuals should be cautious of interrupting traffic or placing campaign paraphernalia in locations that obstruct mobility.”

The following violations carry a punishment of 60 hours of community service or 30 days behind bars: carrying a weapon (other than a firearm) and ill-treatment; 40 hours of community service (or 20 days) apply to: resistance, incitement and verbal threats; 30 hours (or 15 days) are for: failure to comply with an official order and destruction; 20 hours (or 10 days) will be imposed for: disobeying a police order to vacate, fighting (not including ill-treatment), removing or moving a barricade, street crime (disorderly behavior), public drunkenness, insulting, presenting false information and arson of personal property.

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Related document:
List of violations and fines