PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten (The Daily Herald) –Minister of Justice Anna Richardson has granted the request of the St. Maarten Police Force KPSM to be allowed to place 77 new road signs in Philipsburg. As soon as what is and is not allowed is clear to motorists, the police will take enforcement action and issue fines.
By Ministerial Decree of November 17, a total of 29 decisions were taken with regard to Front Street and Boardwalk Boulevard, as well as the alleys in between, to prevent parking nuisance and potentially dangerous and obstructive situations for all participants in traffic.
One of the decisions concerns the placing of signs at the beginning and the end of Boardwalk Boulevard, and at two intermediate locations, indicating that access to the promenade is prohibited for all motorised traffic.
At alleys that provide access to Boardwalk Boulevard there will be signs indicating that it is forbidden to enter with vehicles and bikes. Some dead-end alleys near Walter Plantz Square and uptown at Horizon View Hotel are to be marked by road signs as parking areas.
KPSM submitted a request to the Minister of Justice four months ago to be allowed to place road signs in Philipsburg. The August 11 petition was explained orally by the traffic police on September 23. The minister was given an explanation of the considerable parking nuisance in Philipsburg due to the improper use of pedestrian paths as a parking space. Police also pointed out potentially dangerous situations for local residents, entrepreneurs and tourists.
