WILLEMSTAD – Opposition parliamentarian Quincy Girigorie (PAR) has sounded the alarm over what he describes as a serious surge in criminal activity and social decay in the neighborhoods of Scharloo and Fleur de Marie. In a letter addressed to Parliament President Fergino Brownbill on September 2, 2025, Girigorie invoked Article 96 of the Rules of Order to request that urgent questions be put to Justice Minister Shalten Hato.
According to Girigorie, Fleur de Marie was once held up as a model neighborhood. Beginning in 2008, government and community investments improved infrastructure, attracted businesses, and inspired residents to start their own enterprises. For years, people lived with pride in an area that was seen as a success story for Curaçao’s urban renewal efforts. Today, however, that progress has largely unraveled.
The parliamentarian warned that the area has become a breeding ground for crime, citing drug trafficking, human trafficking, burglary, prostitution, and violence as daily realities. Recreational and sports areas have been transformed into hangouts for criminal activity, while homes have been converted into sex rooms. He noted that residents, many of whom recall the neighborhood’s former vibrancy, now live in fear and avoid leaving their homes at night. “The social core of the community, built on trust, cohesion, and mutual support, is collapsing,” Girigorie wrote. “And when you break that, you break any neighborhood.”
Girigorie also drew attention to the public health consequences of the situation. He pointed to rising cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and HIV, linking them to uncontrolled prostitution in the area. He warned that without swift intervention, Scharloo and Fleur de Marie risk becoming “no-go zones” for law enforcement and government authorities.
In his letter, Girigorie pressed Minister Hato to clarify whether the government had ever responded to a plea from residents dated November 25, 2024, and questioned why their concerns might have been ignored. He asked what concrete measures the Ministry of Justice has taken to combat rising crime and how long residents can expect to wait for improvement. He also raised concerns about whether the police have the manpower and resources needed to protect the community, and whether there is an unofficial tolerance policy toward prostitution in the district.
Girigorie further inquired about the role of the anti-human trafficking unit (PATH) and whether there is coordination between the Ministries of Justice, Health, and Economic Development to develop an integrated plan addressing both security and public health. He stressed that the deterioration of the neighborhood is making residents more vulnerable to involvement in illicit or violent activities, while also stifling positive social development.
The PAR member concluded with a strong call for immediate answers and action from the minister, warning that Curaçao cannot afford to watch one of its historic neighborhoods slide deeper into decline. “Residents cannot wait any longer,” he said. “If nothing is done, Fleur de Marie and Scharloo will continue to draw attention for all the wrong reasons.”
