PHILIPSBURG:--- Yesterday, while visiting the scenic Bells Lookout Point, we were met with a deeply upsetting sight that left tourists and onlookers heartbroken. A large pig and several young chickens were found in distressing conditions at the top of the mountain.
The pig appeared unwell, lying motionless even when stimulated, and no water was available for the animals. Despite signs instructing visitors not to feed the animals, concerned tourists, including myself, stepped in to provide water and food. The pig drank the water eagerly, a clear sign of its dehydration. Tragically, one of the chicks was found dead near the pig, and the remaining birds were also without water or proper care.
This situation is unacceptable. The top of a dry mountain with no access to water or proper shelter is no place for these animals. It is heartbreaking to see them left in such conditions, relying on tourists for survival. This is not what the island represents, and it is a disservice to both the animals and the visitors who come to enjoy this destination's beauty.
If this is the responsibility of Animal Defenders or any other organization, immediate action is needed. These animals deserve proper placement, care, and access to basic necessities like water and food. Leaving them in this state is not only cruel but also deeply upsetting for the many visitors who witness their suffering.
We urge the responsible parties to take action now. Relocate the pig and the chickens to a safe and suitable environment where they can receive the care they need. It doesn’t take much to fix this situation, but it does take someone to step up and do the right thing.
To the organizations and individuals responsible: please act swiftly. The animals atop Bells Lookout Point deserve better, and so do the tourists who visit this beautiful island expecting compassion and care for all its inhabitants.
Let’s come together to ensure these animals are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
Sincerely,
Concerned Tourists and Lifetime SXM Travelers

~Demand for Police Body Cameras & Stronger Use-of-Force Laws in Sint Maarten~

To: Government of Sint Maarten, Minister of Justice, Korps Politie Sint Maarten (KPSM), Members of Parliament
We, the citizens of Sint Maarten and supporters around the world, respectfully demand urgent police reform to protect lives, restore public trust, and ensure accountability in law enforcement.
Recent events have deeply shaken our community and exposed serious gaps in transparency and oversight within the Sint Maarten Police Force. To prevent further loss of life and to protect both citizens and officers, we call for the following immediate actions:

Our Demands
Mandatory Body-Worn Cameras (Bodycams)
All on-duty police officers must wear functioning body cameras during patrols, arrests, stops, and any use-of-force encounters.
Cameras must be activated during all interactions with the public.
Footage must be securely stored and protected from tampering.
Independent oversight must govern access to and release of footage.
Clear, Stricter Use-of-Force Policies
Lethal force must be a last resort.

De-escalation and non-lethal options must be prioritized.
Clear warnings and time to comply must be given whenever safely possible.
Firearms policies must align with international human rights standards (necessity, proportionality, accountability).
Independent Oversight & Accountability
All serious incidents involving injury or death must be investigated by an independent body outside of KPSM.
Officers involved in fatal incidents should be placed on administrative leave pending investigation.
Findings and disciplinary outcomes must be communicated to the public.
Training & Community Policing
Mandatory training in de-escalation, crisis response, mental health awareness, and anti-bias practices.
Strengthen community policing to rebuild trust between officers and neighborhoods.

Legal Safeguards for Citizens
Clear guidelines for arrests, searches, and detentions to prevent abuse of power.
Protection for witnesses and whistleblowers who come forward.

Why This Matters
Body cameras protect citizens from abuse and officers from false accusations. Transparent rules around firearms and arrests reduce violence, prevent tragic outcomes, and save lives. Trust in law enforcement is built through openness, accountability, and respect for human rights.
We love Sint Maarten, and we want our island to be safe—for our children, our families, our visitors, and for officers who serve with integrity. Safety and justice must go hand in hand.
We call on the Government of Sint Maarten to act now.
Implement body cameras. Strengthen the laws. Protect lives.

Signed,
Concerned citizens of Sint Maarten and supporters worldwide
#BodyCamsForSXM #PoliceReformSXM #ProtectOurPeople

To: The Honourable Minister of Justice, Sint Maarten
Cc: Chief of Police; Head of Detectives; Head of Forensic Services; Public Prosecutor’s Office; Police Oversight Bodies

Honourable Minister and Esteemed Officials,

I write on behalf of concerned citizens of Sint Maarten regarding the fatal police shooting of Mr. Rudy Benjamin in the St. Peters area. This incident has caused profound grief and fear within the community and has raised serious questions about the lawfulness, proportionality, and accountability of police actions.

As citizens, we respectfully demand a full, transparent, and independent investigation into this incident. The public deserves clear answers to the following:

1. The exact timeline and locations of the incident, including discrepancies reported by witnesses.
2. The legal basis for the use of lethal force, including whether de-escalation was attempted and whether warning shots or non-lethal measures were considered.
3. The chain of command and authorization during the operation.
4. The immediate securing of the scene, preservation of evidence, and integrity of forensic procedures.
5. The collection and disclosure of all available recordings (CCTV, private cameras, dispatch logs, radio communications).
6. The suspension of involved officers from operational duty pending the outcome of the investigation, in line with best practices for impartiality.

We remind the authorities of Sint Maarten’s obligations under the rule of law and international human rights standards, including:

- The right to life (ECHR Article 2 within the Kingdom framework);
- The duty to conduct an effective, independent investigation into any death involving state agents;
- The UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials (necessity, proportionality, accountability).

Given longstanding public concerns about corruption and lack of transparency, we request:

- An independent investigative body external to the Sint Maarten Police Force;
- Public communication of key findings within a reasonable timeframe;
- Protection for witnesses;
- Accountability measures where unlawful conduct is established.

This request is made not to undermine law enforcement, but to uphold justice, restore public trust, and protect the rights and safety of all citizens. The family of Mr. Benjamin, his children, and the community of St. Peters deserve truth and accountability.

We respectfully request written confirmation of the steps being taken and the investigative framework being applied in this matter.

Sincerely,
Monica Jessica Morris

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
16 February 2026

Dear Editor,

We are writing today not out of choice, but out of necessity, to denounce an unacceptable and deeply disturbing situation involving the handling of a death in Philipsburg. What we are witnessing is an institutional failure.

The deceased is my partner’s uncle. For three full days, we have been attempting to contact the police. During this time, we have received absolute silence: no phone calls, no returned emails, no official explanation, no information, and not even a case number.

This is not a minor administrative delay. This is a complete institutional failure.
We were informed that the family was supposedly the first to be contacted and notified. Yet, to this day, the family has received no follow-up, no confirmation, no transparency, and no respect. We are left in the dark while trying to grieve, understand, and simply obtain basic information about what happened to our loved one.

This contradiction alone raises serious questions about internal procedures and standards.

This is not merely a question of poor individual conduct. It points to a systemic breakdown in institutional responsibility, where protocols meant to protect families, ensure transparency, and uphold dignity appear to be ignored or absent altogether.

This level of disregard is shocking. It reflects a total lack of professionalism, accountability, and human decency toward both the deceased and their family. When authorities remain silent in the aftermath of a death, it sends a dangerous message: that families do not matter, and that transparency is optional.

When an institution tasked with public safety and justice fails to communicate after a death, it undermines public trust. Silence in such circumstances is not neutral — it is harmful. It leaves families in uncertainty, fuels distress, and suggests that accountability is optional rather than fundamental.

We are now turning to the media because every other channel has failed. No family should have to chase the police, beg for answers, or wait indefinitely without even the most basic acknowledgment of their loss.
This silence must be questioned. It must be exposed. And it must be answered.

And because institutional silence must be met with public scrutiny. If authorities can remain unreachable, unresponsive, and unaccountable in cases involving death, then this is not an isolated issue — it is a matter of public interest.
We call on journalists to examine not only this specific case, but the broader institutional practices that allow such situations to occur:
• What protocols govern communication with families after a death?
• Why are these protocols not being followed?
• Who is responsible for ensuring transparency and accountability?
Institutions do not operate in a vacuum. When they fail, the consequences affect real people, real families, and real lives. Visibility is often the only mechanism left to restore accountability — which is why we are speaking out this situation and to ask the necessary questions:
Why has there been no communication?
Why has no case number been provided?
Why is a grieving family being treated with such disregard?

Accountability begins with visibility. That is why we are speaking publicly.

We respectfully request that this situation be investigated and that the appropriate authorities be held accountable for their failure to communicate.

Sincerely, Samuel Saintune