PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM), in collaboration with the Court of Justice, is currently implementing a joint project to address a large number of vehicles confiscated by the police over the past several years.
These vehicles were seized in connection with criminal investigations, including cases in which they were reported stolen or used in the commission of crimes. Following the completion of the necessary investigative and legal procedures, the rightful owners of these vehicles were formally requested to retrieve their property. To date, many of these vehicles remain unclaimed.
The confiscated vehicles are currently stored at the rear of the Government Administration Building on the Soualiga Road. KPSM has made multiple attempts to contact the registered owners through various channels; however, these efforts have been largely unsuccessful.
In an effort to resolve this matter, KPSM, with the support of the Court of Justice staff, has developed a coordinated plan to contact the owners of these vehicles again and provide them with a final opportunity to reclaim their property.
Owners of confiscated vehicles are urged to contact Ms. Joyce Daniel, a support staff member of the Court of Justice, to arrange retrieval. Ms. Daniel's contact information is attached to this release.
Please be advised that vehicles that are not retrieved within the stipulated time-frame will be considered abandoned and will be disposed of in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
KPSM encourages all concerned owners to act promptly to avoid permanent loss of their vehicles.

KPSM Press Release.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Egbert J. Doran is calling for greater policy alignment within the Council of Ministers, stating that public-private partnerships are a valuable and necessary tool for national development but must be applied consistently, including for the benefit of the country’s public schools.

Doran pointed to two recent government positions that, when viewed together, raise legitimate questions about coherence in infrastructure policy. On one hand, the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) announced a partnership with the Gioia Group to rehabilitate the Simpson Bay Dock and surrounding public facilities, highlighting public-private cooperation as a pillar of modern governance, a move he applauds. On the other hand, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) has taken the position that infrastructure works cannot be accepted as donations for public schools, citing liability and accountability concerns.

“We are clearly seeing two different approaches to the same concept,” Doran said. “Public-private partnerships are being embraced as innovative and workable when it comes to economic and public infrastructure, and that is a good thing. It shows that government recognizes it cannot do everything alone. But that same openness must also extend to our schools.”

Doran stressed that his position is not about opposing development initiatives or questioning the value of partnerships in sectors like tourism and maritime infrastructure. Rather, he argues that the same governance capacity used to facilitate large-scale public works should also be used to address long-standing challenges in the education sector.

“If the government can structure agreements, oversight mechanisms, and accountability frameworks for major public assets such as docks and police facilities, then it stands to reason that similar safeguards can be developed for school infrastructure,” Doran stated. “The issue is not whether partnerships work. The issue is where we choose to apply them.”

According to Doran, concerns about liability and quality control raised by the Minister of ECYS, should not become a blanket barrier, particularly when classrooms across the country continue to struggle with heat, aging facilities, and deferred maintenance.

“No one is suggesting unregulated or unsupervised work,” he said. “What parents and teachers are asking for is the same level of creativity and problem-solving that government is already demonstrating elsewhere. If partnerships are good policy, they should be good policy for all critical public needs, including education.”

Doran concluded by urging the Council of Ministers to bring greater consistency to its approach, noting that public-private cooperation should be guided by shared national priorities rather than siloed ministerial interpretations.

“Our development strategy must be balanced,” he said. “Economic infrastructure and educational infrastructure are not competing interests. They are both investments in the future of St. Maarten.”

PHILIPSBURG:--- Members of Parliament from the UPP, NA, and NOW have formally requested that the Prime Minister provide a written update to Parliament in response to the recent correspondence received from WICSU-PSU concerning the ongoing labor dispute within the Fire Department.
In the correspondence from the Unions, a 48-hour deadline has been issued to the Prime Minister in light of the serious concerns about the absence of decisive action after months of mediation, the failure to acknowledge the agreement letter submitted on January 23, 2026, the prolonged operational strain caused by nearly ten months of go-slow actions, and the demand for the signing of the agreement letter together with a result oriented meeting involving the Council of Ministers and Parliament within the stated timeframe.

With Parliament scheduled to continue deliberations on this matter, the factions is urging the Government to urgently address the escalated 48-hour matter involving the Fire Department and to provide Parliament with a written update before public meetings continue, so as to avoid further antagonizing an already fragile situation and deepening the ongoing crisis.

Members of Parliament have indicated that such an update is essential to clarify the Government’s current position and intended next steps, provide transparency regarding the status of the agreement resulting from mediation, and allow Parliament to deliberate responsibly and with full awareness of developments affecting public safety.
The factions stress that the Union’s 48-hour deadline underscores the urgency of the matter, and wholeheartedly disapprove of the manner in which this Government is treating our emergency service personnel. All hands must be on deck to ensure our firefighters remain motivated to serve and are able to see a tangible end result.
Members of Parliament remain committed to working toward a resolution that restores normal operations within the Fire Department and safeguards the people of Sint Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The second day of the Strategic Economic Stakeholders Consultation focused on the evolving future of tourism, yachting, safety, sustainability, and economic resilience for Sint Maarten. During the morning panel discussion, regional and local experts shared frank perspectives on the opportunities ahead, while emphasizing the need for coordinated action, data-driven decision-making, and a stronger national vision.

Moderator James Hepple opened the session by underscoring the importance of real-time data and measurable indicators to identify genuine opportunities within the tourism sector. Panelists stressed that while metrics such as visitor arrivals, revenues, and average daily rates remain important, they must be balanced with broader considerations such as quality of life, community wellbeing, and the authentic experience that defines Sint Maarten.

Hotelier Emil Lee highlighted that building a destination people want to visit begins with creating a place where residents themselves can thrive.

Echoing this sentiment, Anastacio Baker noted that repeat visitors remain one of Sint Maarten’s strongest success indicators, driven largely by the warmth and character of its people. The discussion reinforced that the island’s identity is shaped less by labels and more by a shared cultural experience that blends its diversity into a uniquely Sint Maarten story.

Alex Gumbs, CEO of Port St. Maarten Group, emphasized the importance of optimizing visitor movement throughout the destination, particularly in addressing traffic congestion and enhancing transportation alternatives. He noted that improving mobility could unlock greater economic value by allowing visitors to participate in more activities across the island. Gumbs also outlined sustainability initiatives within the cruise sector, including long-term environmental targets and strategic considerations such as homeporting and future energy demands.

From a safety and governance perspective, Chief of Police Carl John stressed that defining challenges clearly is critical to identifying effective solutions. He pointed to the need for stronger compliance enforcement, improved communication between agencies, and ensuring that the experiences marketed to visitors align with the realities delivered on the ground.

Environmental sustainability and climate resilience emerged as key themes throughout the discussion. Leslie Dickerson of the Nature Foundation highlighted the potential for eco-tourism and low-impact experiences, emphasizing that future development must protect infrastructure, natural resources, and the wellbeing of residents.

Panelists also referenced the importance of climate-adaptive planning, including resilient zoning practices, nature-based flood solutions, and coral restoration efforts to safeguard coastal areas.

When asked to define success for Sint Maarten, panelists agreed that traditional economic indicators alone are insufficient. Success was described as a tourism economy that benefits all residents, supports long-term resilience, and strengthens community pride. Discussions also touched on practical improvements such as urban aesthetics, billboard regulation, training within the hospitality sector, and aligning infrastructure development with the pace of tourism growth.

The panel concluded with a call for holistic collaboration across government, industry, and civil society. Participants emphasized that while many of the solutions discussed have been identified in past plans, the focus moving forward must be on implementation, accountability, and measurable progress toward a more sustainable and inclusive tourism economy.