PHILIPSBURG:---  As St. Maarten faces an active hurricane season, Kadaster is urging the public to take proactive steps to safeguard boundary markers, survey stakes, and other physical identifiers placed by Kadaster personnel in the field. These markers are vital for property identification, land management, and post-storm recovery efforts.

To strengthen its preparedness, Kadaster has established a dedicated Crisis Management Team (CMT). The team, made up of senior staff from administration, field operations, IT, and communications, was first activated during the passage of Hurricane Erin. During that event, the CMT coordinated risk assessments, staff safety checks, facility inspections, and ensured uninterrupted access to Kadaster’s records and services.

Kadaster Director Benjamin Ortega emphasized, "Protecting boundary markers is protecting the integrity of our land system. We rely on these markers to support property owners and the wider community. Our new Crisis Management Team ensures Kadaster is always ready to safeguard our staff, our systems, and the work we carry out on behalf of the people of St. Maarten."

The CMT’s comprehensive plan covers staff safety and preparedness, facility readiness, business continuity, and clear communication with stakeholders before, during, and after severe weather events.

Kadaster remains committed to working closely with government, utility providers, and community partners to ensure uninterrupted service delivery throughout this hurricane season.

Kadaster St. Maarten is responsible for maintaining the national registry of property and land ownership, ensuring legal certainty in real estate, and supporting sustainable development through accurate mapping and land information services.

MARIGOT:--- On Sunday, August 17, at approximately 11:30 PM, emergency services were called to Agrement, specifically at Impasse Samuel Maccow, following reports of a gunshot victim. According to authorities, the victim, a man aged between 35 and 40, was found in cardiac arrest upon the arrival of the firefighters.

 Despite resuscitation efforts, the victim was pronounced dead by the SMUR doctor.

The scene was secured by the gendarmerie, allowing emergency responders to withdraw safely. Xavier Sicot, the prosecutor of the Republic of Basse-Terre, confirmed the death and stated that no arrests have been made at this time. The Saint Martin gendarmerie’s research section has launched an investigation into this homicide.

BES ISLANDS:--- In recent weeks, several organisations in the Caribbean have been targeted by serious cyberattacks, including ransomware, viruses, and major computer failures. The impact has been significant: prolonged downtime, loss of critical business data, damage to customer relations, reputational harm, and, in some cases, substantial financial losses reaching tens of thousands of dollars.

The Cybercrime Team of the Dutch Caribbean Police Force (KPCN), in cooperation with various partners, is mapping these attacks and issuing a clear warning about the increased threat. “Cybercrime is no longer a distant danger, it is a reality in our region,” the Cybercrime Team stated. “We urge organisations to review and strengthen their digital security without delay.”

Advice: Four steps to protect your organisation

1. Keep systems up to date

• Ensure firewalls, operating systems, and other equipment always have the latest updates.
• Segment networks with firewalls to limit the spread of malware.
• Close unnecessary external ports.
• Implement effective detection and monitoring systems.

2. Protect accounts with strong access methods

• Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all business accounts.
• Set unique passwords of at least 20 characters, including uppercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
• Prevent password reuse by using a password manager, especially for system administrators.

3. Train employees

• Make cybersecurity a topic of discussion and organise regular training sessions.
• Teach employees to recognise and report phishing and suspicious emails.
• Conduct awareness exercises, such as phishing simulations.

4. Have an Incident Response Plan

• Prepare a written plan detailing the actions to take during a cyber incident.
• Maintain a physical contact list with essential phone numbers.
• Secure log files and evidence before starting recovery work.
• Define decision-making roles in times of crisis and rehearse these scenarios.

Reporting cyber incidents
If you become the victim of a cyberattack, do not be discouraged. Your report can help other organisations remain alert. Incidents can be reported at the Police Station in Playa or by sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  KPCN can assist and connect you with specialised partners.

More information and practical tips:

• Digital Trust Center (Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy) – tips for self-employed professionals and SMEs: digitaltrustcenter.nl/starten
• National Cyber Security Centre (Ministry of Justice and Security) – basic principles for large organisations and government bodies: ncsc.nl/basisprincipes

Have you seen anything suspicious? Call 911 or 717-8000 or the anonymous tip line 9310.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Tax Administration announces that business license distribution begins today, Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at the Receiver's Office on Pond Island. Upon arrival, business owners should proceed directly to the balie/reception window to collect their licenses.

Licenses can be picked up Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM, and business owners are encouraged to bring proof of payment when collecting.

For more information or assistance, please contact the Tax Administration at 542-2143, 542-3782, 542-3839, or 542-3840, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..