PHILIPSBURG:--- On Saturday morning, Prisoners at Pointe Blanche Prison were locked in their cells until after midday because no prison guard showed up to work at the facility.
SMN News has been reliably informed that the prisoners at Pointe Blanche Prison were not fed or let out.
The source said even the prison management did not show up on Saturday, leaving the prisoners without basic necessities since they were all locked in their cells on Friday afternoon.
According to information provided to SMN News, the Prisons have been short-staffed for years. Even though several Ministers of Justice have been sworn into office since 2010, not one of them made any effort to recruit more prison guards or to find a solution to the problems facing prison guards who were forced to go on sick leave.

In an invited comment, Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling said, “What transpired at Pointe Blanche Prison this morning is deeply concerning and completely unacceptable. Regardless of their circumstances, every individual is entitled to humane treatment, and I fully understand the frustration and concerns this situation has caused.

The facility has been severely understaffed for years, and while this issue is complex and not easily resolved overnight, it has my full attention. Since taking office, I have been actively working on long-term solutions to improve staffing levels and overall conditions at the prison.

To clarify, I was available and accessible for comment and remain open to discussing these pressing concerns. My focus is on meaningful action, and I will continue working toward the reforms necessary to improve the functioning of our prison system and the entire Justice chain.”

St Peters, March 6, 2025 – Day by day we continue to give gratitude and appreciation for the seed, sun, rain, nature and the community members that continue to support SMFC’s Farmers Market at the St Peters Rupert Maynard Community Youth Center.
This week we are grateful to harvest over 800+ pounds (400kg+) of produce from our farming project and partners in St Kitts. This strategic partnership continues to reap its rewards and serve its purpose by means of delivering healthier quality food at affordable cost directly to our community members and networking supermarkets.
The long term goal and aim is to ensure that prices for quality produce and goods can at all times remain at an equilibrium standard cost. This, Simply means that cost of goods and fresh produce will remain at a balance price at the market for as long as we can despite economical challenges and inflated prices. From here we can only hope it gets better based on the increase of production and cost for transporting goods.
As we continue to express how grateful we are, there is no other way to do so than to give back to those who have continuously supported us from the start. This Saturday we will be giving away a box of carrots divided amounts community members supporting the farmers market.. So get there early, as the early bird always gets the worm..
SMFC invites the general public to come out this Saturday March 8, 2025 for another day of jollification and get their hands on quality produce, products and positive community engagement at the Farmers Market.
This Saturday the Farmers Market will offer once again a wide variety of produce and products from the dedicated community farmers and product developers.
The variety of items available this weekend will be fresh cold press juices, banana bread, local cookies, baked pumpkin jonny cakes, veggie soup, honey, coconut oil, castor oil, fresh eggs, plants, gardening materials, and locally made natural soaps, skin \ body care products.

Freshly harvested Produce available this week from our local and regional farmers will be season peppers, sweet peppers, avocado, carrots, pumpkin, cucumbers, sweet potato, papaya, pineapple, lettuce by Farm 4 You, salad mix, tayerblad, basil, mint, lemon grass, big leaf thyme, bayleaf, celery, parsley bak choy, chives and hot peppers.
The Farmers Market begins at 9 am until 2pm, so we encourage community members to come out early as 9am to get their first picks.
SMFC once again would like to thank the general public for supporting the Farmers Market. Your support continues to demonstrate the need for positive community development, engagement, and agricultural \ product sustainability. See you on Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 9am to 2 pm, at the Rupert Maynard Community Center, St Peters.
**About St Maarten Farmers Cooperative (SMFC):**
The St Maarten Farmers Cooperative (SMFC), a proactive committee of ECO St Maarten Agricultural Research and Development Center Foundation, is a collective of local farmers and skillful community members dedicated to enhancing the production and distribution of agricultural products on the island. By pooling resources and expertise, the SMFC aims to promote sustainable farming practices, support local economies, and provide the community with fresh, high-quality produce and agro-processed products as we Strive for the Balance of life together.
For more information on SMF,C follows us on FB or feel free to send us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Willemstad/Philipsburg:--- Next week, the Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) will launch a new survey among its stakeholders. Now in its third edition, this survey aims to provide valuable insights into how stakeholders perceive the performance of the CBCS and which developments they consider most important. Commissioned by the CBCS, the survey will be conducted by the research agency RE-Quest.
The 2022 stakeholder survey yielded important insights that helped shape the CBCS’s strategic direction and operations. The survey identified key areas of focus, including strengthening supervision, addressing the situation related to the financial institutions Girobank and Ennia, improving response times and communication, and more targeted communication efforts to the general public.
This latest survey also asks stakeholders specifically about the CBCS's communication on the introduction of the new currency, the Caribbean guilder.
A wide range of stakeholders in Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and beyond will be invited to participate, including supervised institutions, other regulators, interest groups, government agencies, universities, and the media. To ensure confidentiality, RE-Quest will process the responses at the group level so that individual responses cannot be traced back to specific organizations or individuals.
After completing the survey and analyzing the results, the CBCS will share key findings from this year’s survey with the public.
Willemstad, March 7, 2025
CENTRALE BANK VAN CURAÇAO EN SINT MAARTEN

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) is releasing statistics on fatal traffic accidents on the Dutch side of Sint Maarten from 2020 through 2023. The figures show a fluctuating trend in fatal road accidents, particularly involving two-wheelers and ATV users.

Overview of Fatal Traffic Accidents per Year:

2020: 3 fatal accidents, 2 involving two-wheelers.

2021: 9 fatal accidents, 3 involving two-wheelers.

2022: 5 fatal accidents (cars)

2023: 1 fatal accident involving an ATV.

Over the years, THE TRAFFIC ON the island has become increasingly congested, making traffic conditions EXTENSIVELY more complex. The GROWING use of scooters, ATVs, and motorcycles has further contributed to the challenges on the road.

The Sint Maarten Police Force has been actively engaged for years in educational campaigns, promotional efforts, and other measures to enhance road safety. However, the island’s road infrastructure presents significant challenges, making traffic safety a persistent concern.

Road Safety and Prevention Efforts

To mitigate risks, KPSM continues to focus on several key safety aspects:

Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating drivers, motorcyclists, and pedestrians about responsible road behavior.

Traffic Law Enforcement: Increasing police presence on the roads to monitor speed limits, reckless driving, and helmet compliance.

Infrastructure Advocacy: Engaging with authorities to improve road conditions, signage, and lighting to enhance safety.

Protective Measures: Encouraging the use of helmets, reflective clothing, and other safety gear, particularly for two-wheeler users and ATV riders.

The police urge all road users to adhere to traffic regulations. In particular, motorcyclists, scooter riders, and ATV users are advised to exercise extra caution and wear protective gear.

KPSM will continue its efforts in enforcement and awareness campaigns to improve road safety and reduce the number of fatal traffic accidents.

KPSM Press Release.