Prefect Berton passes his oral exam with flying colors

As he does every year, Vincent Berton, Delegate Prefect for Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin, presented the activity report for government services to the elected members of the Territorial Council of the Collectivité de Saint-Barth. The presentation took place after the meeting on Thursday July 18, in front of a somewhat sparse assembly due to the absence of several councillors. Nevertheless, Vincent Berton outlined all the issues facing the State in 2023. He noted a strengthening of the gendarmerie presence, with three soldiers per thousand inhabitants in Saint-Barth, compared with the national average of one per thousand. In 2024, the aim is to increase proximity with socio-professionals and neighborhood referents. But also, and above all, to firmly pursue the fight against crime.
The Prefect recalled that 41 kilos of cocaine were seized in 2023, as well as 4 kilos of cannabis and 35 grams of crack. He also highlighted the seven contradictory proceedings concerning noise pollution, the 65 fisheries inspections, the 103 inspections of professional and leisure activities, and the 50 criminal sanctions handed down.
Vincent Berton also expressed his satisfaction at the improvements made in 2023 and 2024 to the cyclone risk prevention system, and at the introduction of a new cross-border control software.This will enable the gendarmerie to improve the quality of its controls at ports and airports. He notes that 145 residence permits were issued in 2023.

Financial assistance
Last year was also marked by the introduction of a quality-price shield and an intensification of the fight against fraud.an intensified fight against fraud and illegal employment (59 inspections, 12 fines for undeclared work, four temporary work stoppages).
The State representative also listed the aid provided in 2023: 118,673 euros via the Fonds de développement de la vie associative, 38.813 euros via the Fonds d'échange à but éducatif, culturel et sportif (educational, cultural and sports exchange fund), one million euros in exceptional funding for the installation of a new drinking water production unit, 102,000 euros in the plan to combat sargassum, as well as 1.9 million euros under the Fonds Vert (green fund) for two local authority projects. And let's not forget support for the structuring of the cabris slaughterhouse in Saline.