PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is proud to announce that one of its female officers, Miss V.MARTINA, has been selected to participate in the IACP/UAE Ministry of Interior Police Academy Exchange Program.
In collaboration with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the UAE Ministry of Interior (MOI) is hosting this international initiative at the Abu Dhabi Police College in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The program will run from September 2025 to February 2026. It will provide participants with five months of comprehensive training, including physical fitness, marching, practical exercises, and academic studies in an academy structure. The program will conclude with a graduation ceremony attended by all participants and their respective agency representatives.
The honorable Minister of Justice, Ms. N. Tackling, together with the KPSM Management Team, extends best wishes to Officer V. MARTINA as she embarks on this professional journey. KPSM views this achievement as a milestone, underscoring both the dedication of its officers and the growing international recognition of Sint Maarten’s police force.

KPSM Press Release.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Food Safety Division of the Inspectorate VSA is responsible for assuring that food, water, ice and drinks that are prepared and sold in Sint Maarten are fit and wholesome for human consumption. Food for consumption which is not prepared, stored or served under hygienic conditions can cause severe gastrointestinal complaints and infections. The food industry is responsible for producing, preparing, serving and selling safe food, water, ice and drinks.

The Food Safety Division of the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) has announced the intensification of food safety inspections across Sint Maarten, with a targeted focus on Cleanliness, Temperature Control, and Pest Management (CTP) in all food establishments.

The initiative stems from a recent risk assessment identifying key vulnerabilities in the food service sector. As a result, the Food Safety Division of Inspectorate VSA is implementing a strategic inspection format specifically addressing CTP standards. This effort aims to safeguard the hygienic preparation, storage, and distribution of food, water, ice, and beverages sold to the public.

Inspections began on August 1, 2025, targeting high-risk establishments. Moving forward, starting January 1, 2026, the Food Safety Division of Inspectorate VSA will publish monthly reports detailing inspection outcomes and the current compliance status of establishments inspected.

The CTP inspection format is designed to ensure:

• Cleanliness in all areas where food is stored, prepared, and served
• Temperature control of perishable items to prevent spoilage and bacterial growth
• Effective pest management systems to protect against contamination

All food-related businesses—including restaurants, supermarkets, bakeries, catering companies, vendors, public events, and breweries—are required to maintain a daily monitoring control plan. These plans must outline procedures for cleaning, temperature checks, and pest control and must be available for review during inspections.

The objective is to safeguard the manufacturing, preparing, storage and selling of consumables and are part of the Food Safety supervision process. The Food Safety division is committed to supporting businesses in meeting these requirements and holding them accountable for public safety. These inspections are conducted in accordance with the Commodities Ordinance (Warenlandsverordening) and are part of the broader food safety supervision framework enforced by the Inspectorate VSA.

For any question you may have please feel free to visit the Inspectorate at: W.G. Buncamper Road # 33 Vineyard Office Park above the tax office from Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 12:00 and from 13:30 to 16:00 or send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PHILIPSBURG:--- In the early morning of August 20th, 2025, during a routine traffic stop by KPSM officers, a male suspect was arrested who was in possession of narcotics. While controlling a white Kia Picanto, officers discovered the man had what is believed to be crystal meth, along with other illegal substances, in his possession.

The suspect was immediately arrested and taken to the police station in Philipsburg, where he is being held for questioning.

This arrest serves as a critical and concerning reminder to the community of the very real possibility that drugs like crystal-meth (fentanyl) may be present on our island.

The KPSM would like to inform the public about the severe risks associated with these drugs:

• Crystal Meth is a highly addictive stimulant that can cause serious physical and psychological damage, including heart problems, strokes, and extreme paranoia.
• Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times more potent than heroin. Even a tiny, unnoticeable amount can be lethal, as it can cause a person's breathing to stop. A growing concern is that other drugs, like crystal meth, are being secretly laced with fentanyl, dramatically increasing the risk of a fatal overdose.

The Police Force of Sint Maarten is committed to being proactive in the fight against the use and distribution of these illicit substances. We urge everyone to take this warning seriously and to report any information on drug-related activities to the police.

KPSM Press Release.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Wednesday, police officers from the KPSM (Korps Politie Sint Maarten) conducted a traffic operation in Philipsburg, targeting drivers who ignore parking rules. The goal was simple: to improve traffic flow and make the roads safer for everyone.

The police paid special attention to several problem areas, including N. De-Brot Street, despite a clear "no stopping" sign; many drivers continue to park there, turning a two-way street into a single-lane bottleneck. Officers also ticketed illegally parked vehicles on Emmaplein and Codville Webster Street, a location where drivers have repeatedly ignored parking regulations.

During the operation, officers issued 22 fines, with 18 of those in the Philipsburg area. They also had to tow nine vehicles that were blocking traffic or parked in restricted spots.

One of the most frustrating things officers noted is that as soon as a vehicle is towed, another driver will often pull into the exact same illegal spot, completely disregarding the rules. This behavior creates a cycle of disruption and makes it difficult to keep traffic moving smoothly.

The KPSM wants to remind all drivers that parking regulations are in place for a reason. Ignoring them doesn't just inconvenience other drivers; it creates dangerous situations and adds to traffic congestion in our busiest areas.

The police force is committed to continuing these enforcement efforts to ensure our roads remain safe and accessible for all residents and visitors.

KPSM Press Release.