PHILIPSBURG:--- On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, patrol officers of the Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) responded to a report of loitering and public disturbance at the Premier Supermarket.

Upon arrival at the location, officers encountered a group of individuals gathered in front of the business establishment, reportedly drinking and loitering. Under public order protocols and to ensure the safety and comfort of the community and surrounding businesses, the officers engaged with the individuals involved.

A total of six (6) persons were addressed by the patrol and instructed to vacate the premises. The individuals complied without incident.

KPSM reminds the public that loitering, particularly in front of commercial establishments, can lead to discomfort for patrons, obstruct access, and contribute to public nuisance. The community is encouraged to respect the use of public spaces and to cooperate with law enforcement in maintaining order and safety.

The Sint Maarten Police Force remains committed to maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for all residents, business owners, and visitors and will continue to monitor and respond to similar reports across all districts in its effort to uphold public safety and community well-being. Community cooperation is key to achieving this goal.

KPSM Press Release.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) conducted scooter controls in multiple districts on July 1, 2025, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance road safety and ensure vehicle compliance. During the operation, five scooters were confiscated due to the absence of required documentation.

KPSM reminds the public that all scooter and motorcycle riders must have the necessary legal and safety requirements to operate on public roads. These documents consist of a paid road tax receipt, valid insurance, technical inspection documents, a bill of sale, registered license plates, and helmets (mandatory safety gear).

Police are also urging scooter and bike riders to avoid reckless riding, which remains a serious concern on the island. Dangerous behavior on the road not only risks the rider’s life but also puts other road users in harm’s way.

KPSM will maintain regular controls and enforce the law against non-compliance and unsafe behavior on the roads. This to promote safer roads for everyone.

KPSM Press Release.

CAY HILL:--- Mental Health Foundation (MHF) Social Psychiatric professionals at the Faraja Day Center, Janice Djaoen-Busby and Aisha Mathew, have successfully completed the Mental Health Professional – POH-ggz Caribbean course, an advanced-level certification offered by RINO Zuid in collaboration with Mental Health Caribbean.

The intensive program, which ran from September 2024 to May 2025, brought together 26 participants from across the Dutch Caribbean, including Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire, and Sint Maarten. The course was designed to enhance mental health services throughout the region, with a focus on generalist care, transcultural approaches, and short-term interventions for chronic psychiatric conditions.

Training included an initial one week of face-to-face instruction, followed by biweekly online coaching and various assignments. To promote collaboration and peer learning, study partners were randomly assigned, a structure that both Aisha and Janice found valuable. They noted that this approach enriched their appreciation of shared challenges and regional solutions in mental health care.

Throughout the course, participants strengthened skills in non-verbal and experiential therapy, E-health tools, psychopharmacology, and culturally sensitive care.

Reflecting on the experience, Aisha described the training as a great refresher, helping her to relearn and reinforce effective, client-centred approaches in her daily work. For Janice, the program was a completely new and eye-opening experience, providing her with fresh perspectives on how to engage more meaningfully with clients.

Both shared that although they offered occasional updates to colleagues during the course, the demands of balancing work and study made in-depth sharing difficult. Now that they have completed the program, both professionals plan to host a workshop for all MHF staff and, in the near future, will share their insights in greater detail with the Faraja Day Center team.

Aisha and Janice are the second cohort of MHF staff to complete this prestigious course, following two MHF nurses who graduated from the same program in 2023.

MHF extends its heartfelt congratulations to Janice and Aisha for their dedication and accomplishment and looks forward to the positive impact their enhanced expertise will bring to mental health care in Sint Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG:--- In a bold and energized push to further stimulate regional tourism, the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau (STB), in collaboration with the French St. Martin Tourism Office, hosted a high-impact Familiarization (Fam) Trip that brought 10 influential travel agents from Guadeloupe, Martinique, Curaçao, and Trinidad back to the heart of the Caribbean.

This initiative is part of a growing strategy to tap into the booming intra-Caribbean travel market, which has seen a 30%+ surge in regional flight bookings over the past two years. According to the Caribbean Tourism Organization, over 5 million residents of the Caribbean travel within the region annually, making this a lucrative segment.

“This Fam Trip wasn’t just a tour—it was a revelation,” said Gina Illidge, Marketing Officer from the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau. “Some of these agents hadn’t been to the island in over a decade, and what they experienced further enhanced their impression of St. Maarten-St. Martin as a top destination.”

The immersive itinerary showcased several hotels across the island; ranging from boutique beachfront escapes and budget-friendly amenities, to luxury resorts, giving the travel agents a firsthand look at the island’s diverse hospitality offerings. They were also treated to a curated culinary journey featuring a hosted breakfast, delectable lunch, dinner and cocktails, all infused with local flavors and mesmerizing views —demonstrating the island’s well-earned reputation as the "Culinary Capital of the Caribbean."

With regional travelers now seeking shorter-haul, culture-rich escapes within a safe travel environment, destinations like St. Maarten-St. Martin are uniquely positioned to deliver. “This is a new era for regional travel. We’re not just promoting our beloved destination—we’re reigniting regional pride, purposeful travel experiences, and cross-cultural connections," said Jacqueline Louis, STB's Caribbean Agent. 

Feedback from the attending agents was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing renewed confidence in selling the destination. Several agencies have already begun crafting new vacation packages to St. Maarten tailored specifically for Caribbean clientele.

This collaborative Fam Trip marks a powerful reminder: when French and Dutch St. Martin-St. Maarten unite, the whole island wins.

For more information, please contact STB’s Caribbean Agent: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.