PHILIPSBURG:--- Loic Bryan has launched a citizen petition calling for structural reforms to Sint Maarten’s legal and judicial system, arguing that residents should have access to the country’s laws and court procedures in English.

The petition is addressed to the Parliament of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Tweede Kamer), the Government of Sint Maarten and the Joint Court of Justice.

Bryan said the initiative is not connected to any individual court case or dispute but is intended to address what he describes as a long-standing systemic and constitutional issue affecting residents, professionals and business owners in Sint Maarten.

According to Bryan, although English is officially recognized as a state language under Article 1 of the Constitution of Sint Maarten, the country’s statutory framework, tax assessments and judicial system continue to operate primarily in Dutch, 16 years after Sint Maarten attained autonomous country status within the Kingdom in 2010.

Bryan argues that requiring residents to navigate complex legal, administrative and financial matters in Dutch creates a significant barrier for people who cannot fluently read or understand the language.

He further contends that residents should be able to understand the laws they must obey and argues that the current situation raises concerns about access to justice and the right to a fair trial under Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The petition puts forward four principal demands.

First, Bryan is calling for the systematic translation of Sint Maarten’s statutory laws and legal codes into accessible English.

Second, he wants the country's laws compiled and made readily available to the public in both Dutch and English, either through printed publications that residents can purchase or through free digital downloads.

Third, the petition calls for the official implementation and full acceptance of English-language court filings, submissions and proceedings within the Joint Court of Justice.

Finally, Bryan is seeking an end to the rejection of legal submissions by court clerks solely because those documents are written in English.

Bryan stressed that the campaign is intended to remain focused on institutional reform rather than individual legal cases.

“This initiative is strictly focused on securing structural equality and protecting the fundamental rights of all citizens of Sint Maarten,” Bryan stated.

He is encouraging residents to read, sign, and share the petition in an effort to bring the issue to the attention of authorities in both Philipsburg and The Hague.

“Justice cannot be served in a language the public cannot read,” Bryan said.

The petition has been launched publicly through Change.org, with Bryan calling for broader public support for bilingual legislation and greater English-language access within Sint Maarten’s justice system.

Criminologist calls for evidence-based strategy addressing crime, youth vulnerability and socioeconomic pressure

By Marcus Pantophlet
Law Enforcement Professional | BSc in Criminology | 15+ Years of Experience

PHILIPSBURG:---  Sint Maarten’s recent series of robberies should not be viewed merely as a collection of individual criminal incidents. According to law enforcement professional and criminologist Marcus Pantophlet, the country must also examine the broader social and socioeconomic conditions that may be contributing to crime.

Pantophlet, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and has more than 15 years of law-enforcement experience, said the frequency and nature of the robberies reported across Sint Maarten during September 2026 should concern the entire community.

He cautioned that official monthly statistics are still necessary before anyone can declare a statistically confirmed increase in the crime rate. Nevertheless, Pantophlet said the reported incidents provide sufficient reason for the country to examine what may be happening beneath the surface.

One of the most important factors requiring attention, he said, is socioeconomic pressure.

Sint Maarten may see economic activity and tourism growth while ordinary residents continue struggling with rising costs for housing, food, utilities, transportation, and other necessities. These expenses are placing increasing pressure on household budgets.

Pantophlet explained that strain may develop when people experience a widening gap between what they want or need and what they believe they can realistically achieve through legitimate means.

He stressed that poverty does not create criminals and that the overwhelming majority of people experiencing financial hardship do not commit crimes. However, criminology shows that socioeconomic strain can become one contributing factor when combined with other vulnerabilities.

Growing Concern About Sint Maarten’s Youth

Pantophlet said he is particularly concerned about the environment young people are growing up in.

Through social media, young people are constantly exposed to images of wealth, status and material success. At the same time, some face difficulties with education, employment, family circumstances and economic opportunities.

When legitimate pathways to success appear distant while illegal opportunities seem immediately accessible, Pantophlet warned, the risk increases that vulnerable young people may be influenced by their peers or by people already involved in criminal activity.

This is where social learning and peer influence become significant.

Criminal behavior can gradually become normalized. A young person may begin with relatively minor offenses, become exposed to older or more experienced offenders, and eventually progress into more serious criminal activity.

Pantophlet said the involvement of minors in recent property-crime incidents should deeply concern Sint Maarten. It should compel the country to ask not only how to punish young offenders, but also why they reached the point of committing crimes in the first place.

Crime Threatens More Than Its Immediate Victims

Pantophlet emphasized that the consequences of crime extend far beyond the person who is robbed.

Businesses suffer financial losses and face increased security expenses. Employees may experience fear and psychological trauma, while residents begin changing their daily routines because they are afraid of becoming victims.

Sint Maarten must also consider the potential consequences for its tourism-dependent economy.

The country’s reputation as a safe destination matters. If residents, visitors and investors begin to perceive Sint Maarten as increasingly unsafe, the damage could spread to tourism, business confidence, investment and employment.

Crime, Pantophlet argued, must therefore be treated not only as a law-enforcement matter, but also as an economic and social-development issue.

Accountability and Prevention Must Work Together

Pantophlet is calling for a serious, evidence-based crime strategy that protects victims, supports law-enforcement officers, holds offenders accountable and creates legitimate opportunities for young people before criminal networks create illegal opportunities for them.

Accountability and prevention, he said, must go hand in hand.

“The September 2026 robberies should not simply be another series of headlines. They should be a wake-up call.”

This article represents the criminological perspective of Marcus Pantophlet, a law-enforcement professional with more than 15 years of experience and a Bachelor of Science in Criminology.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Early Learners BookStart Campaign 2026 ended on a joyful note on Saturday, September 19, with a Grand Celebration at Emilio Wilson Park. About 100 children, parents, caregivers, and community members joined the Sint Maarten Library for an afternoon of stories, music, movement, and imagination.

The celebration began with the Generation New Status Drumband leading the young readers in a lively parade, followed by story time with the  Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Melissa Gumbs. The Minister, who recently became a library member, selected Two Squabbling Squirrels as her book.

American Medical University of the Caribbean (AUC), a major supporter of the event, engaged the children with an entertaining puppet show that brought stories to life. Poet Sabie, Audrey Claxton, shared a special poem with parents on the importance of engaging young children in reading. Parents also joined in musical chairs, experiencing firsthand that reading with children is not only about the words on a page, but also about play, laughter, interaction, and imagination.

Throughout the campaign, children and families enjoyed story time sessions and meaningful community collaborations. Special thanks go to author Ingrid T. Fyffe for sharing story time and donating books to support young readers, and to Collective Prevention Services (CPS) for its collaboration. Author Amy Arrindell also engaged parents and caregivers through her “Restore in Color” workshop.

The campaign also brought together professionals and community voices for a panel discussion on early childhood development, literacy, and supporting young learners. The panel featured Chevon James of P2C, D’Antoinette Roger-Sorton of Enable Holistic OT, Lorraine Leacock, educator, and Ivanca Sterling of CPS, moderated by Ingeborg de Weever. The panel discussion will be available virtually at the end of September.

Special recognition goes to the Mistress of Ceremonies, Mrs. Glenda Valies-York, whose warmth, energy, and professional hosting helped keep the Grand Celebration engaging and enjoyable from beginning to end. The Sint Maarten Library commends Mrs. Valies-York on a wonderful job and sincerely appreciates her contribution to the celebration's success.

However, the Grand Celebration was more than a closing event; it captured the spirit and impact of the 2026 Early Learners BookStart Campaign.

The Sint Maarten Library extends sincere appreciation to all the community readers, partners, volunteers, authors, parents, caregivers, and supporters who helped make the campaign a joyful celebration of reading.

The journey continues. Join us in 2027 as we continue to celebrate reading, imagination, and the joy of discovery with our Early Learners. Together, let us keep turning pages, creating memories, and building a love for reading: one little reader at a time.

HARBOUR VIEW, PHILIPSBURG:--- His Excellency the Governor of Sint Maarten, Ajamu Baly, wishes to inform the public that the Governor's Symposium 2026, under the theme “Youth Development”, originally scheduled to take place on Friday, September 25, 2026, has been postponed.

The Symposium will explore topics that directly affect youth, including identity and belonging, education and future readiness, mental health and emotional well-being, technology and social media, sports and recreation, youth safety, civic participation, and opportunities for youth to contribute to Sint Maarten.

To ensure the successful delivery of the symposium and to provide the best possible experience for all participants, the decision was made to reschedule the event to a later date. Governor Baly remains fully committed to hosting a meaningful and impactful Symposium that fosters constructive dialogue and community engagement.

In this regard, and as part of the lead-up to the 2026 Symposium, H.E. Governor Baly invites young persons to participate in a poetry or spoken word initiative entitled “My Image, My World”. Interested youth are encouraged to submit an original poem or spoken word piece, exploring identity, friendship, belonging, social media, technology, and the experience of growing up in Sint Maarten. Submissions may explore questions such as:

• Who am I beyond social media?
• What does friendship mean to me?
• If social media disappeared tomorrow, what would change?
• Am I creating my image or following someone else’s?
• Am I connected or alone?

The initiative launches today, with submissions closing on October 23, 2026. Selected pieces will be showcased at the Governor’s Symposium and may also be shared through media partners. Further details regarding the initiative and submission process will be released in the coming days.

The Governor’s Symposium is an annual event that promotes dialogue, innovation, and collaboration on issues critical to the country’s development. It serves as a platform for invited stakeholders government, civil society, and the private sector to focus attention on, raise awareness of, and generate discourse on issues affecting the Sint Maarten community.

His Excellency Governor Ajamu Baly extends his appreciation to all partners, stakeholders, schools, youth organizations, and members of the public for their understanding, flexibility, and continued support. A new date for the symposium will be announced in due course. Individuals who have already expressed interest in attending will be notified once the revised schedule has been confirmed.

Governor Baly apologizes for any inconvenience this postponement may cause and looks forward to welcoming participants to the rescheduled event.