St. Martin News Network - St. Maarten

Justice Minister Nathalie M. Tackling Reduces Residency Permit Backlog.

nathalietackling24122024 PHILIPSBURG:--- From day one, Minister of Justice Nathalie M. Tackling has taken decisive action to reduce the inherited residency permit backlog and restore efficiency, fairness, and public trust in the immigration system. She has shown unwavering dedication, personally processing and validating over 800 residency permits within months.
Contrary to speculation, Minister Tackling and her team have worked extended hours, including weekends, to accelerate progress. Despite staffing shortages, she has reorganized immigration staff and implemented a more transparent, streamlined process, including case management. This allows individual officers to handle files from start to finish, delivering real results.

A Priority for Minister Tackling
Recognizing applicants' frustrations and the Immigration Department's challenges, Minister Tackling is committed to building a fairness, transparency, and accountability system.
At the heart of this reform is a new digital immigration management system designed to address inefficiencies and restore trust. The system features a secure, user-friendly portal that allows applicants to track their application status in real-time, reducing uncertainty and eliminating the need for constant follow-ups.
Beyond improving the applicant experience, the system introduces transparent workflows, enabling immigration staff to manage cases more efficiently and ensuring files are processed promptly and organized. This structure strengthens both efficiency and accountability at every level.
"We are building an immigration system that works for everyone," stated Minister Tackling. "One that ensures transparency and accountability on both sides—where applicants have clear visibility into their process, and the department is equally responsible for delivering efficient and fair service."

Addressing Technical and Administrative Challenges
Minister Tackling has acknowledged the system's limitations, including document upload failures and lost submissions, which have caused delays and frustration. These issues are being addressed by prioritizing the new digital system.
Alongside technological improvements, she fosters a culture shift within the Immigration Department, encouraging teams to work collaboratively and take ownership of cases to reduce bottlenecks and create a seamless, applicant-centered process.
Despite ongoing staffing challenges and many unfunded positions, the Minister is confident that the new digital system will ease administrative pressures and help staff work more efficiently.

Exceptional Circumstances: Dispensation Requests
The Ministry of Justice recognizes the challenges faced by first-time residency applicants who are required to leave the island during processing. To address exceptional cases, applicants can submit a formal request for a dispensation letter directly to the Minister of Justice.
Each request is carefully reviewed case-by-case, focusing on fairness and integrity. Minister Tackling's personally oversees the process to ensure only those with genuine and urgent circumstances are considered, such as business owners vital to their operations and individuals with established family life on the island whose removal would result in undue hardship.
Her hands-on approach reinforces the Ministry's commitment to balancing compassion with orderly, lawful immigration management while restoring public trust through clear, consistent criteria and transparency.

Looking Ahead
Minister Tackling's proactive leadership brings meaningful progress in reducing the backlog and improving efficiency. The digital immigration system will be a major step forward, ensuring transparency and accountability for applicants and staff.
As these reforms take shape, the Ministry will continue to update the public, ensuring that everyone remains informed every step of the way.

Collision with two fatalities.

On Monday, the 17th of March, at around 10.15 AM, two scooters collided on the Mansion road on St. Eustatius. Both scooters overtook a bus and collided in the process. Both drivers sustained serious injuries and were taken by ambulance to the hospital. Both victims had to be sent to St. Maarten for medical care, but unfortunately, they both did not make it to St. Maarten. The first victim passed underway to St. Maarten, and the second victim passed on to St. Eustatius. It concerns a 23-year-old man with the initials E.L.J.R. and a 22-year-old man with the initials J.A.A.C., both born on St. Eustatius. The investigation into the case is ongoing.

Arrest for Driving Under the Influence SABA
On Sunday, the 16th of March, at around 5.45 PM, a 40-year-old man with the initials K.A.d.G. was arrested in The Bottom on Saba for driving under the influence of alcohol. While reversing, the suspect collided his vehicle with a parked car. During the inspection, both parties' documents were found to be in order. In accordance with the 'botsen is blazen’ policy, a breathalyzer test was administered to the suspect, but he refused to cooperate. He was arrested and taken to the police station for a breath test. As a result of this, the suspect's driver's license was confiscated.

KPCN Press Release.

KPSM Conducts Traffic Enforcement in Emma Plein.

kpsmcontrols18032025 PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) carried out a traffic enforcement operation on the morning of Friday, March 18, 2025, in the Emma Plein area and its surroundings.

This action was taken in response to ongoing complaints regarding illegal parking, which has obstructed the area's free flow of traffic. Despite multiple prior warnings issued through press releases, motorists have continued to park unlawfully.

During the enforcement operation, officers issued five fines, and several illegally parked vehicles were towed from designated no-parking zones.

KPSM is again urging all drivers to comply with traffic regulations by seeking alternative parking and avoiding restricted areas. Ensuring clear roadways is essential for maintaining smooth traffic flow and public safety.

KPSM will continue to monitor and enforce traffic regulations to address this issue.

KPSM Press Release.

Update on Dutch Quarter Shooting Investigation.

arrestdqshooting18032025 PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) is providing an update on the ongoing investigation into the shooting incident that occurred in the Dutch Quarter on March 14th, 2025, at approximately 11:00 PM.

On the evening of March 14th, Police Central Dispatch received multiple reports of gunfire in the Dutch Quarter area. Upon arrival, officers confirmed that two individuals had sustained gunshot wounds. Both the elderly male victim and the suspect were transported to the St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) for medical treatment. The elderly male victim remains hospitalized at SMMC in serious condition.

As the investigation progressed, detectives identified two additional suspects believed to have been involved in the incident. Reports indicate that these individuals were armed and may have discharged firearms during the altercation.

On March 17th, 2025, the two additional suspects voluntarily presented themselves at the Philipsburg Police Station, where they provided statements regarding their involvement in the shooting. Following their statements, both individuals were arrested and incarcerated.

To date, three suspects have been arrested in connection with the March 14th shooting incident. The investigation remains active as detectives work to determine the motive behind this shooting.

KPSM Press Release.

Saint-Martin Commits to Flood Prevention and the Preservation of Aquatic Environments.

bernadettedavis18032025 GUADELOUPE:--- A delegation from Saint-Martin led by 2nd vice-president Bernadette DAVIS took part in the Seminar on Aquatic Environments and Flood Prevention (MAPI) organized in Guadeloupe by the Regional Council and the Directorate for the Environment, Planning, and Housing (DEAL). This event strengthened the understanding of issues related to the management of aquatic environments and flood prevention.

Bernadette Davis, Vice President in charge of Sustainable Development, was accompanied by Gloria Chance, Head of the Natural Heritage and Biodiversity Department, and Hakeem Richardson, Head of the Water Cycle Department.
During her speech, Mrs Davis highlighted Saint-Martin's experience within the framework of the Preliminary Study Program for the Flood Prevention Action Program (PEP-PAPI). She emphasized the territory's vulnerability to natural hazards and the effects of climate change, exacerbated by increasing urbanization. Special focus was placed on the restoration of the island’s ponds, which play a crucial role in managing rainwater and preventing flooding.
The delegation presented the financial commitments of the Collectivité of Saint-Martin to ensure the regular maintenance of rainwater drainage networks and ravines. They emphasized the need to adopt environmentally friendly methods, such as brush clearing and mowing, to preserve biodiversity.
Additionally, the representatives from Saint-Martin presented their infrastructure strategy, prioritizing the maintenance and optimization of existing facilities in the short term while developing major projects like the PAPI (Flood Prevention Action Program). Over the past two years, efforts have improved rainwater drainage and strengthened risk zone monitoring. Targeted interventions, such as pumping and controlled opening of pond outlets, are carried out when necessary.
A key highlight of the seminar was the reaffirmation of Saint-Martin’s commitment to integrating the BESTLIFE2030 program of the French Biodiversity Office (OFB). This funding initiative supports environmental projects in the EU’s Outermost Regions (RUP) and Overseas Countries and Territories (PTOM), covering up to 95% of project budgets for periods ranging from 18 to 36 months. The Collectivity aims to leverage this program to protect its unique biodiversity while enhancing residents' quality of life.
In conclusion, Mrs Davis stressed the importance of public awareness and education, urging everyone to adopt responsible behaviors to actively contribute to environmental preservation.

During the seminar, Professor Pascal Saffache presented alarming projections, indicating a potential sea level rise of up to 1.17 meters by the end of the century, with levels already 25 cm higher than in 1990.
Beyond sharing experiences, these meetings are essential to positioning Saint-Martin within a regional framework, fostering exchanges with other territories facing similar challenges, and strengthening strategies for climate risk adaptation. Such discussions help identify tailored solutions and mobilize necessary resources for a more resilient environmental management approach.