PHILIPSBURG:---  Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten announced significant progress on the Philipsburg Marketplace redevelopment project while also addressing hurricane preparedness measures and the economic benefits generated by major events such as Soul Beach and Carnival.

Speaking during Wednesday's Council of Ministers Press Briefing, the Minister confirmed that the Ministry has received the updated building permit from the Ministry of VROMI, allowing the long-awaited Philipsburg Marketplace redevelopment project to move fully into its next phase.

The Minister noted that discussions are currently underway among contractors, project managers, and relevant stakeholders to finalize construction schedules and coordinate upcoming works. Preparatory activities have already been completed, with construction planning continuing to advance.

Describing the project as a major investment in the revitalization of Philipsburg, the Minister said the redevelopment will support local vendors, improve the visitor experience, and create a modern marketplace that will serve the community for years to come.

The Minister reiterated that marketplace vendors will receive project updates before broader public announcements, recognizing them as the stakeholders most directly impacted by the redevelopment.

Attention was also given to the ongoing 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The Minister announced that updated maximum-price lists for hurricane- and disaster-related items will soon be published. The price controls will apply to selected food products, hardware and construction materials, as well as certain pharmaceutical and medical supplies.

The measure is intended to prevent price gouging and ensure essential goods remain reasonably accessible during emergencies. Residents were encouraged to begin preparations early and not wait until a storm is imminent.

The Minister also addressed recent public discussion of comments from the Council of Advice on the draft 2026 national budget, particularly regarding government support for Soul Beach and Carnival.

While acknowledging the importance of accountability, transparency, and proper oversight, the Minister emphasized that discussions about public investments should also consider economic impact.

The Minister noted that Soul Beach and Carnival generate benefits across multiple sectors, including hospitality, transportation, food service, entertainment, retail, security, and other small business activities.

Citing findings from an independent Social Economic Council (SER) review commissioned by the Ministry, the Minister reported that Soul Beach attracted approximately 2,556 international visitors, generated more than US$525,000 in operational spending, and contributed tourism-related economic activity estimated at up to US$7.26 million.

Although the report advised caution regarding the higher-end estimate, the Minister said even conservative calculations demonstrate significant economic benefits for Sint Maarten.

"The people of Sint Maarten deserve accountability," the Minister concluded. "But they also deserve the complete picture."

The briefing concluded with the Minister reaffirming government's commitment to balancing responsible governance with investments that support long-term economic growth and community development.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) strongly addresses a recent school-related physical altercation that took place on Monday, June 15th, at one of the local high schools in the St. Peters area. The incident, which quickly gained attention after video footage circulated on social media, prompted immediate concern due to the involvement of minors and the potential for further escalation within the community.

Following the incident, officers from KPSM—including personnel from the Juvenile Department, Community Police Officers, and School Resource Officers—were notified. Officers also observed video footage of the altercation circulating on social media.

In the interest of maintaining public order and safeguarding the well-being of all minors involved, KPSM initiated immediate follow-up actions. A parent of one of the students involved later reported to the Philipsburg Police Station and requested mediation assistance to address the root cause of the dispute and prevent further escalation.

Subsequently, all parents and students involved were invited to the police station by the Juvenile Department and complied with this request. A structured meeting was held with all relevant stakeholders, during which the matter was discussed openly.

Through this intervention, all parties reached a mutual agreement aimed at preventing a recurrence of similar incidents. The outcome was constructive and demonstrated a shared commitment by parents, students, and KPSM to resolve conflicts in a peaceful and responsible manner.

KPSM extends its appreciation to all parents and students who cooperated fully and contributed to the positive outcome of the mediation process.

The Police Force of Sint Maarten reminds the public that violence is never an acceptable means of resolving disputes. Parents and guardians are encouraged to continue engaging with their children and schools to promote respect, discipline, and peaceful conflict resolution.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Here at the Sint Maarten Library, we are kicking off the countdown to Freedom and Emancipation Day with an inspiring cultural celebration for the island’s youth. On Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the library will host a special Saturday Story Time event featuring acclaimed local author Joselyne Arnell. Young readers are invited to the library’s Philipsburg location, upstairs in the Adolphus Richardson Building, for an unforgettable morning of literature and history.

During this special event, Arnell will bring her wonderful new book, New Moon for Quashiba, to life through a vibrant live reading. Tailored specifically for children ages 6 to 12, the interactive session offers a unique opportunity for local youth to engage directly with the author, connect with their heritage, and foster a lifelong love of reading.

The Sint Maarten Library encourages parents and guardians to arrive early, as space for this memorable experience is limited. For more details, community members can view the official event flyer through local school communication channels or visit the library directly.

Bring your children to celebrate culture, community, and the power of storytelling this Saturday.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Council emphasizes that security is an indispensable condition for a well-functioning judicial process. A recent review inspection shows that Sint Maarten still lacks an integrated system for the security and protection of authority figures, other individuals, objects, and services. This is while the security threats in society are increasing. Clear prioritization for an accelerated commitment to introducing such a system is therefore necessary.
Rationale
The Council has observed for years that the need for safety and security on Sint Maarten is growing. Increasing gun violence, threats from organized crime, relational violence, juvenile delinquency, and threats against victims and witnesses make it clear that extra protection is necessary in some situations. Against this background, the Council conducted a review inspection in 2025 to follow up on eight previous recommendations on security and protection.

Previous findings
In 2014, the Council found that the protection of authority figures was insufficiently regulated at the legislative level. It also turned out that not all parties involved were aware of their legal responsibility. At the time, security was organized differently for each situation, without a fixed implementation structure. The Council then made three recommendations to address these bottlenecks.
A new inspection was conducted in 2016, during which the Council concluded that other individuals and objects may also require protection in the event of serious or concrete threats and potential violence, particularly regarding the security of the criminal justice system and the judicial process. In response to this, the Council formulated five recommendations.

Current state of affairs

The recent review inspection shows that the situation has remained largely unchanged. More than ten years after the inspection into the security of authority figures and nine years after the inspection into the security and protection of individuals and objects, most recommendations remain unimplemented or have been implemented only partially. According to the Council, Sint Maarten still lacks an integrated security and protection system.
At the same time, the Council sees that steps are now being taken towards the construction of such a system. According to the review inspection, a solid start has been made, but further development and implementation require specialized expertise and sufficient policy capacity at the KPSM and the Ministry of Justice. It is precisely on these points that the available capacity is limited. In addition, according to the Council, the structural shortage of financial, material, and human resources within the government of Sint Maarten poses a serious risk to the progress of the plans. The Council believes that by setting clear priorities, the necessary progress can be made despite the existing constraints.

Appeal
The Council therefore calls for the swift implementation of the outstanding recommendations, as well as the timely provision of the necessary resources. Only with a structural and integrated approach can the safety of those involved and the protection of the judicial process be guaranteed in the long term.
Council website
The full inspection report and all other publications of the Council are available digitally on the website: https://www.raadrh.com/