Derelict vehicles, an ever increasing eyesore and environmental concern
SXM-Pride Foundation has taken notice of the fact that St. Maarten’s roadsides, parking lots as well as private yards are increasingly being used as dumping sites for derelict vehicles. The derelict and immobile Van depicted in the above image, for instance, is believed to be the former Burger King Van from the fast food chain’s location in Simpson Bay. The Van and several other derelict vehicles have been parked at the Jose Lake Ballpark’s parking lot (a location which it seems is currently being used as an illegal garage and dumping site for derelict vehicles) for over 4 months.
Unfortunately scenes such as this seem to have become the norm rather than an exception on the island; Pride Foundation would therefore like to remind St. Maarten’s residents of our collective responsibility to keep the island clean and to dispose of any and all wastes responsibly. The Foundation calls on the relevant Government Departments to remedy the situation by removing the abovementioned abandoned vehicles and in addition encourages Government to revive its efforts to remove car-wrecks as well as other debris from roadsides, neighborhoods and yards.