PHILIPSBURG– As 2025 draws to a close, Member of Parliament Omar E.C. Ottley is reflecting on a year defined by purposeful legislative work, persistent advocacy, and unwavering dedication to the people of St. Maarten, demonstrating that meaningful impact can be made from the legislative branch, even while in opposition.

Throughout the year, MP Ottley remained focused on addressing critical challenges affecting the people through a solution-oriented approach aimed at providing the Government with the tools needed to execute change for the people.

Among his key legislative actions in 2025, MP Ottley:

• Submitted a Profit Tax Ordinance amendment to the Social Economic Council (SER), aimed at reducing profit tax in a phased approach.
• Presented a draft amendment to the National Ordinance regulating admittance to and expulsion from St. Maarten (LTU), seeking to secure rights and protections for children born in St. Maarten who are undocumented. Now in the final stages of the legislative trajectory, awaiting a follow-up meeting in Parliament.
• Co-presented amendments to the 2025 National Budget.
• Presented a motion for a fair and just early release policy at the Point Blanche House of Detention, promoting rehabilitation and human dignity, pending action by the Minister of Justice.
• Presented a motion to reduce fuel prices, recognizing the ongoing cost-of-living pressures faced by residents, with government follow-through still pending.
• Submitted a Ministerial Regulation to the Minister of TEATT proposing sustainable reductions to GEBE costs for all consumers, reinforcing the need for long-term energy affordability.
• Presented the GEBE relief petition to Parliament, giving voice to public concern over escalating utility costs, now awaiting action by Parliament’s Petition Committee.
• Advocated successfully for vulnerable families during the holiday season, writing to the Government and NV GEBE to suspend electricity disconnections—an appeal that received a positive response.
• Hosted the Third Annual Christmas Give Back, bringing joy and tangible support to hundreds of children and families across the community.

Reflecting on the year, MP Ottley shared:

“As we close one chapter and prepare for new beginnings, I remain deeply committed to doing meaningful, productive work that makes a real difference in people’s lives. Progress is not defined by position, but by purpose. Even in opposition, the legislative branch remains a powerful space to advocate, to challenge, and to build solutions for our people.”

Looking ahead to the new year, MP Ottley offered words of encouragement and reassurance to the public:

“As we welcome a new year, I extend heartfelt wishes of health, hope, and renewed strength to every resident of St. Maarten.

The passing year reminded us of both our challenges and our resilience as a people. It reinforced the importance of the need for unity, compassion, and purposeful leadership, especially in times when many families continue to face economic pressures and uncertainty. Through it all, I have remained committed to standing with you, listening to your concerns, and advocating for policies that place people first.

A new year brings new beginnings, but it also calls for reflection and responsibility. From my role in Parliament, I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure your voices are heard, your rights are protected, and your future is prioritized. Touch One, Touch ALL!

I want to assure you that my dedication to St. Maarten does not waver in the face of circumstances. Whether in government or opposition, my commitment remains the same: to serve with integrity, to lead with purpose, and to fight for solutions that make a real and lasting difference in people’s lives.

As we step into this new year, let us move forward together with optimism, determination, and faith in what we can achieve as one people. I remain honored by your trust and encouraged by your strength.

May the new year bring peace to our homes, stability to our economy, and progress to our nation.

Happy New Year, St. Maarten.”

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) is investigating an incident involving the use of a firearm that occurred in the early morning hours of Wednesday, December 31, 2025, in the Sucker Garden area.

Just after 04:00 a.m., Central Police Dispatch received multiple reports of shots being fired and a person being shot at in Sucker Garden. Officers were immediately dispatched to the location.

Upon arrival, officers were informed that a male suspect, identified by the initials F.B.L., allegedly fired several shots at his minor sister following an altercation involving the suspect, his sister, and their mother. The minor was not injured during the incident. The suspect fled the scene before police arrived.

Later that same morning, the suspect voluntarily reported to the police station and turned himself in. He was immediately arrested and is currently being held at the Philipsburg Police Station pending further investigation.

KPSM treats all firearm-related incidents with the utmost seriousness and continues to investigate this matter.  

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.

The acquisition was made possible through the efforts of the Minister of Justice, the Honorable N. Tackling, in collaboration with Dutch authorities. This support reflects a continued commitment to public safety and strengthened law enforcement in Sint Maarten.

The vehicles are already in the possession of members of the A-team and will contribute to the operational readiness of the KPSM A-Team.

KPSM Press Release.