The Aruba Hospitality & Security Foundation, AH&SF, and the Aruba Police Department proudly introduced the downtown Visibility Team, a group of agents entrusted with the task of fighting petit theft and the sale of drugs downtown. Two similar groups are already operating in the high-rise and in the low-rise hotel areas responsible for maintaining a crime-free environment on the island's tourist zone. Monday, downtown Oranjestad was added to their sphere of influence and according to the Minister of Justice, Rudy Croes, San Nicolas is next.
Aruba, proud of its safe and secure reputation is making sure the island stays that way by means of patrolling the streets, boulevard and beaches by foot, and on ATVs. The members of the Visibility Team are recruited from the ranks of the Police and from Rodana Security; they are all well trained and nicely equipped for the job. The initiative is a private sector/public sector effort, an interdependent effort. While the local Police Force is in charge of Operations the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association raises the funds to support salaries and the purchase of ATVs, office equipment and even a boat in the near future. Aruba should be proud of that cooperation, said Jorge Pesquera, CEO, AHATA, the partnership between the private and public sector will protect the Aruba brand from being tarnished and set the island apart.
Pictured here the team in its entirety at the launching luncheon held at the Renaissance Conference Center in the presence of hoteliers, the police commissioners and the Minister of Justice. Rob Smith, General manager Wyndham Aruba Resort Spa & Casino is the AH&SF chair, he pledged to continue raising the funds required to keep the island safe, a factor which is critical for our prosperous future, he said.
