PHILIPSBURG:---  Prime Minister Dr. Luc F.E. Mercelina has formally submitted a request to the Government of the Netherlands seeking support to address longstanding challenges within Sint Maarten’s police facilities. The request, directed to the State Secretary of Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations, Mr. Eddie van Marum, emphasizes the importance of improving the infrastructure to ensure public safety, effective policing, and adherence to human rights standards across the Kingdom.

In his correspondence, the Prime Minister noted that Sint Maarten’s police facilities have faced systemic issues for many years, with deficiencies that predate both Hurricane Irma and the country’s constitutional transition in 2010.

“Sint Maarten’s police facilities are not designed or equipped in a manner that allows KPSM to meet its responsibilities under national and International law fully,” Prime Minister Dr. Mercelina stated, “Addressing these long-standing infrastructural shortcomings is essential to strengthening public safety and ensuring compliance with applicable human rights standards.”

The Prime Minister acknowledged the significant support previously provided by the Netherlands, particularly following Hurricane Irma, when repairs and improvements were financed through the Trust Fund and the Ministry of Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations. 

Despite these efforts, the progress reports associated with the Plan of Approach for the police and detention sectors continue to highlight substantial challenges.

“Fifteen years of monitoring through the Plan of approach process shows that although steps have been taken, key issues persist,” PM Dr. Mercelina noted.

“The most recent progress report again highlights concerns about KPSM’s ability to attract and retain personnel and to operate sustainably under the current conditions.”

A critical part of the Government’s request concerns the condition of the main police station, which is significantly affected by leaks, mold, and structural deterioration. These issues have also raised compliance concerns under national labor law and European human rights standards.

The temporary holding cells at the station—linked directly to requirements under the Plan of Approach—have been the subject of repeated concerns by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT). Ongoing repairs funded by the Netherlands are progressing, but independent engineering assessments have indicated that much larger investments will be required to bring the entire police station to an acceptable standard.

“Recent engineering assessments estimate that roughly USD 6.5 million would be needed to address the holding cells and the full building,” the Prime Minister explained.

“Given these figures, it is reasonable to assess whether constructing a new police station may be a more effective long-term solution.”

The Government of Sint Maarten expressed appreciation for the strong cooperation with the Netherlands, particularly the positive developments in the detention sector where construction of a new prison is expected to begin soon.

“Our joint work in the detention sector demonstrates that sustained collaboration yields tangible results,” PM Dr. Mercelina noted.

“We look forward to continuing this constructive approach as we consider solutions for the police facilities.”

“This is a Kingdom matter, and with shared responsibility comes shared action. Sint Maarten stands ready to work closely with the Netherlands on a sustainable and meaningful solution,” he concluded.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Sarah A. Wescot-Williams has submitted new correspondence to the government regarding the legal basis and current method of tariff setting for utility provider NV GEBE. Her latest questions were directed to either the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunication (TEATT) or the Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment & Infrastructure (VROMI), given the overlapping references in legislation concerning price-setting authority and the Electricity Ordinance.

MP Wescot-Williams explained that her inquiries focus on identifying which minister is legally responsible for establishing electricity tariffs under the law, and whether the required national decree (LBHAM) governing those tariffs exists. She emphasized that the concession law for GEBE explicitly refers to tariffs, and does not exclude the fuel clause, meaning that the fuel clause charged to consumers may also need to be set by government decree.

“I want to ensure that I get a solid grasp of this matter in terms of the existence of the decree establishing all tariffs for GEBE, including the fuel clause. If no such decree exists, then I want to know how these tariffs are currently charged,” she stated.

The MP has requested that her questions be answered in a public Question Hour of Parliament, underscoring the importance of transparency in utility pricing.

In earlier correspondence, MP Wescot-Williams sought clarification from the Prime Minister on the concept of a social tariff for GEBE customers. She referenced the concession law, which allows the government to deviate from established tariffs on social grounds, as established by law.

However, she noted that if the government sets tariffs below GEBE’s production costs, the law requires the government to compensate the company for the difference.

In connection with this, she reiterated a previous suggestion that such compensation could be funded through the concession fee paid by GEBE, which is itself part of the company’s operational expenses.

Once the government provides full clarity on:
• the most recent decrees establishing tariffs,
• the legal basis for the fuel clause, and
• the position on social tariffs,
MP Wescot-Williams intends to table a draft amendment to the Electricity Concession Law.
This amendment would establish a structural, legal basis for social tariffs, including:
• lower tariffs for vulnerable households,
• special categories for social institutions such as schools, and
• guidelines for how government compensation to GEBE should be structured.

She reiterated the urgency of addressing the matter:

“I hope that the Question Hour can be scheduled before year’s end so we can move toward a structural basis for government-set tariff categories, including social institutions and residents who are most in need.”
MP Wescot-Williams awaits:
• the Prime Minister’s response regarding social tariffs, and
•
The responsible minister’s explanation of the legal establishment of current tariffs, including the fuel clause.

Following these responses, she is prepared to proceed with the draft amendment. “Concluding her statement, the MP reaffirmed that lasting, structural amendments to existing laws can only be achieved through close cooperation with the government—hence her ongoing engagement with the responsible ministries.”

PHILIPSBURG:--- Sint Maarten is grappling with a crisis, and it’s not a storm or a hurricane—it's a relentless wave of violent crime made worse by failed leadership and misguided policies. As armed robbers strike again and again, residents and tourists alike are left asking: What exactly is the Minister of Justice doing to protect us?
The answer so far? Not enough. The facts speak for themselves, and the timeline is damning.
On November 29th, 2025, just after midnight, a hotel in the Oyster Pond area was the first to be hit. Several suspects stormed the premises, held up the staff, and left with the safe. The ink on the police report was barely dry when, later that same day, a jewelry store in a hotel at Oyster Pond was robbed. Three suspects on a scooter entered the property, robbed the store, and fled in an unknown direction. The audacity and frequency of these crimes showed a new level of boldness.
The violence didn’t stop there. On Saturday at around 9:00 pm, another dramatic armed robbery unfolded at Island Treasure Jewelry Store in the Maho area. Individuals dressed in black smashed the glass, entered the store, and fled toward Lowlands in a gray vehicle. These aren’t isolated events—they’re part of a chilling trend. Criminals are acting with a sense of impunity, emboldened by a justice system that sends the message: there will be no serious consequences.
The core issue is clear. Government policy, specifically the claim that Pointe Blanche prison is “at capacity,” means too many dangerous criminals are being let back onto the streets. The so-called “80% full” policy is nothing short of an open invitation for robbers and gunmen to keep terrorizing our communities. Meanwhile, the prosecutor’s office seems more interested in making headlines by going after civil servants and politicians than actually locking up violent offenders.
This misguided approach not only puts every citizen at greater risk, but it also delivers a devastating blow to the tourism industry—the very backbone of our economy. How can we expect visitors to come when jewelry stores in hotels are targeted, and criminals can act without fear? The headlines about crime are replacing our “Friendly Island” image with one of chaos and danger.
We look to our elected officials for leadership and decisive action. Yet what we see is a government that seems detached from the daily realities of the people. Politicians jet off to Europe while the real crises right here at home go unaddressed. Public safety should be the priority, not an afterthought or a talking point at press conferences.
Enough is enough. The people of Sint Maarten are tired of hearing about prison capacity and being handed excuses. We demand action now. The Minister of Justice must direct real energy and authority toward locking up armed and dangerous offenders, not just chasing headlines. The time for lip service is over—our safety and future as an island depend on it.
We need real solutions, not empty promises. The current approach puts every resident and tourist at risk, and the citizens of Sint Maarten are paying the price. It’s time for the government to act before our paradise is lost for good.

PHILIPSBURG:--- As residents and visitors navigate the crater-filled main roads of St. Maarten, a growing chorus of public frustration is aimed squarely at the Ministry of VROMI and its head, Minister Patrice Gumbs Jr. While major arteries from the Airport to the Cruise Port deteriorate into obstacle courses, the ministry has announced a significant "Concrete Hard Resurfacing Project" on Goldfinch Road, a decision that has many questioning the government's priorities.
For weeks, drivers have been swerving to avoid a minefield of potholes, many of which are crudely circled with white paint but left unrepaired. These hazardous conditions create daily traffic dilemmas, risk damage to vehicles, and present a poor image to the thousands of tourists who form the backbone of the island's economy. Yet, official government channels remained silent on a comprehensive plan for these critical routes.
Instead, the focus has shifted to the Goldfinch Road project in Pointe Blanche, set to begin on December 8th. The announcement has sparked public outcry, with many citizens pointing out that this road serves a far smaller share of the population than the island's main thoroughfares. The project's timing and location have fueled allegations of favoritism, particularly as it benefits a secluded area where a new condominium complex was recently completed.
Further scrutiny falls on the opaque nature of other recent infrastructure projects. The repair work at the Pelican Entrance, leading to the Hilton Resort, has raised serious questions about public procurement processes. Critics ask why this public-private partnership project was not put out for public tender, a standard requirement for infrastructure works exceeding a certain value. The fact that the family home of MP Peterson, a key political ally of the Minister from the same PFP party, is located along this very route has only intensified accusations of cronyism.

The quality of the work itself has also come under fire. Citizens have observed that what was promised as a full resurfacing often materializes as mere patchwork. These temporary fixes quickly degrade, suggesting that public funds are being spent on short-term solutions that fail to address the underlying infrastructure decay. This approach leads to an endless cycle of repairs, costing taxpayers more in the long run while providing little relief.
As frustration mounts, the public is left to wonder about how resources are allocated. How can a small residential street take precedence over the island's primary economic corridor? Why are standard tendering processes seemingly bypassed for projects connected to the politically influential? These decisions erode public trust and suggest that infrastructure planning is being driven by personal connections rather than the urgent needs of the wider community.
The people of St. Maarten deserve safe roads and transparent governance. The current situation—potholes for the many, pristine pavement for a select few—is untenable. It is time for Minister Gumbs and the Ministry of VROMI to provide clear answers, justify their priorities, and commit to a fair and transparent process for all future infrastructure projects. Accountability is not just a request; it is a demand from a public tired of navigating a broken system.