PHILIPSBURG:--- As Sint Maarten enters the New Year, the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) reflects on the recent period of intensified preventive police actions carried out across the island. These actions increased police visibility and focused on targeted controls aimed at combating narcotics trafficking and the illegal possession of firearms during a peak tourism period.
Public calls to maintain this heightened level of enforcement throughout the year are understandable, particularly on a small island that welcomes millions of cruise and air passengers annually. However, while economic activity and tourism continue to grow, the expansion of police personnel and operational capacity has remained limited. This imbalance places ongoing pressure on available resources and requires careful prioritization between preventive presence, investigative work, and event-related deployments.
Sint Maarten’s size, internal international border, and increasing number of national, cultural, and sporting events further intensify these demands. Major activities such as Carnival, the Heineken Regatta, and other large-scale events place additional strain on police capacity and reinforce the importance of strategic planning.
In response, KPSM continues to rely on intelligence-led policing, inter-agency cooperation, and the responsible use of technology. This approach allows officers and resources to be deployed where risks are highest, ensuring enforcement remains targeted, proactive, and effective while supporting sustainable capacity management throughout the year.
Despite these challenges, KPSM personnel continue to work extended hours and make personal sacrifices to safeguard residents and visitors. Preventive policing remains an essential tool, but it must be balanced with investigative responsibilities and realistic staffing limitations.
At the same time, KPSM emphasizes a fundamental reality: crime is closely linked to social conditions. Law enforcement should not be the first response to underlying social challenges, but rather the final safeguard when other systems fail.
The first interaction of a young person in the Sint Maarten community should be with strong social institutions—not the police. Families, parents, schools, community leaders, government organizations (GOs), and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a critical role in mentorship, education, guidance, and early intervention.
In recognition of this shared responsibility, KPSM has implemented several community-oriented prevention initiatives aimed at steering youth away from criminal behavior. One such initiative is the KPSM Youth Wing, which focuses on positive engagement, trust-building, and mentorship within the community.
While these efforts demonstrate KPSM’s commitment beyond traditional enforcement, sustainable crime prevention cannot be achieved by the police alone. Long-term safety requires coordinated investment in social development, education, and youth empowerment.
As long as economic growth continues without a clear and parallel vision for social and educational development, the risk remains that a young person’s first point of contact with government will be the police—an outcome KPSM actively seeks to prevent. Strengthening social structures is essential to ensuring that policing remains the last line of defense, not the first encounter.
The Korps Politie Sint Maarten remains fully committed to public safety and to working alongside community partners toward a safer future for all.
KPSM wishes the entire community of Sint Maarten a happy and safe 2026.
KPSM Press Release.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) has received specialized vehicles from the Netherlands to enhance the operational capacity of its A-Team. These vehicles will support the team in responding more effectively to high-risk and complex situations.
SAINT-MARTIN:--- In response to recent public safety incidents, the Prefecture of Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin has issued an immediate temporary ban on the use and sale of certain fireworks. The measure, announced on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, aims to curb dangerous behaviors during the New Year celebrations.
