PHILIPSBURG--Young panellists tackled crime in St. Maarten on Sunday, from causes to solutions, at the first-ever Rehabilitate, Educate, Save (RES) panel discussion.

University students Doran Joseph, Neha Dayalani, Candice Hazel, Nerissa Cornelia and Ramzan Juman, who were raised here, discussed the oft-controversial subject before an audience of more than 100 at the Philipsburg Cultural and Community Centre, and possibly hundreds of others at home, as the session was televised live.

The panellists pitched rehabilitation as a cure for the criminal mindset and then touted education as the best deterrent. The lively debate saw the young St. Maarten students, who attend universities here and in Canada, the U.S. and the Netherlands, wrestling with issues such as social responsibility and upheaval, moral values and the roles of parents and teachers.

They also fielded questions and comments from an expert panel comprising a policeman and two social workers after each presentation. Panellists kept the crowd entertained through four hours of debate.

Education Commissioner William Marlin praised the students for volunteering their time to starting the discussion about crime in St. Maarten. The panel discussion was an initiative of his office, led by intern Makhicia Brooks who coordinated and did public relations.