PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling has clarified that recent discussions with the business community about funding public safety initiatives are not requests for donations but a response to offers of partnership from local stakeholders. Speaking during Wednesday’s Council of Ministers press briefing, Minister Tackling emphasized that the initiative was driven by the private sector’s willingness to assist in addressing Sint Maarten’s growing security concerns.
“This was not a matter of the Ministry begging for money,” Minister Tackling stated. “The business community approached us asking what they could do to help strengthen safety and security. In that meeting, I made it clear — you can come to the table and help, or you can’t. But we will continue to do what we can within our budget to ensure public safety.
The proposal outlines a range of security improvement measures totaling roughly $500,000 that could accelerate safety enhancements in key areas. While open to collaboration, Minister Tackling stressed that the government will retain full control over implementation, ensuring that assistance is not tied to strings.
“We have a safety plan, and you can assist with that plan — but that does not mean a business can dictate where a police officer is stationed,” she explained. “The goal is to improve overall safety, not to provide private security through public resources.”
When asked whether businesses contributing to the initiative might receive tax breaks or other concessions, Minister Tackling was clear:
“It’s not my intention, nor within my authority, to offer tax breaks in return for support. If businesses choose to help, it should be because they recognize the shared benefit of a safer Sint Maarten, not because they expect something in return.”
She also reiterated that while some businesses have expressed willingness to contribute financially, the government remains responsible for sustaining safety and security through its own resources and long-term planning.
“We’re looking at creative ways to stretch our budget and accelerate the implementation of safety measures,” Tackling said. “But even without external support, our commitment remains the same — to protect the people of Sint Maarten.”
In response to concerns about the Crime Fund, the Minister noted that those resources are designated for long-term crime prevention initiatives, not short-term operational needs.
“That fund is meant to reinvest in education, community programs, and projects that reduce crime at the root,” she said. “We won’t turn it into another general-use fund.”
The Minister concluded by acknowledging the broader challenges facing public safety, including low compliance rates and capacity limitations within law enforcement, but reaffirmed that collaboration between government, police, and the private sector remains essential to building a safer Sint Maarten.
“Security is everyone’s business,” she said. “We all have a role to play — from how we secure our own properties to how we support the police and each other. This is about partnership, not privilege
