PHILIPSBURG:--- On Thursday, July 25, 2024, at approximately 21:15 PM, the Korps Politie Sint Maarten (KPSM) dispatch received a report of shots being fired in the St. Peter’s area. Upon arrival, the patrol officers were informed that a male suspect had fired a shot in the direction of his girlfriend. Fortunately, the girlfriend escaped unharmed.

The surrounding area was searched, and the vehicle used by the suspect was located. However, the suspect managed to evade capture. Forensic and detectives were also on the scene, gathering evidence and conducting a thorough investigation.

The suspect is known to the authorities. KPSM advises the suspect to do the right thing and turn himself in immediately.
This case is currently under active investigation.

KPSM urges anyone with information regarding this incident to come forward and assist in the investigation. Information can be provided anonymously by contacting the KPSM tip line 9300 and the following numbers :
5422222
911

KPSM Press Release.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs presented the University of St. Martin (USM) with 10 copies of the book Claude: A Portrait of Power as a tribute to the legendary Democratic Party leader on what would have been his 98th birthday on July 24.
In a short statement at the Council of Minister’s press briefing on Wednesday, Minister Gumbs said, “Today, Dr. Claude Wathey, the legendary leader of the Democratic Party, would have been 98 years old. He passed on in 1998.
“I am here today, a proud member of the DP, because of his visionary leadership. And I pay tribute to his legacy by offering the University of St. Martin, which he was instrumental in establishing, ten copies of the book Claude: A Portrait of Power.
“May he continue to inspire us all as we move on with the torch he has handed over to us to bring light to this dark period we are going through.”
President of the University of St. Martin, Dr. Antonio Carmona Báez, accompanied by top officials of the institution, received the books and thanked the minister for her gesture.

~Debuts on Television Caribbean Monday, July 29~

PHILIPSBURG/:--- Some of the candidates in the August 19 snap elections on St. Maarten will be featured on a special TV program series called Inside Politics on Television Caribbean (TVC), which can be found on TELTV+. The show debuts on Monday July 29 at 8pm and with episodes also airing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8:30pm. Inside Politics can also be viewed online at www.tvcplus.live and the Television Caribbean Facebook page and YouTube Channel at the same time as the TV broadcast.
On Inside Politics, broadcast journalist and host Andre Huie will interview several candidates from the various political parties, asking them questions about the issues they are campaigning on and matters pertaining to the governance of St. Maarten. “I am excited about this show and the guests we will be featuring on the program,” said Huie. “Inside Politics will afford each candidate the opportunity to give their views on topical matters on the minds of voters, while at the same time providing an opportunity to expound on their plans if they are elected to parliament.”
TVC (Television Caribbean) is a Caribbean cable television channel headquartered in St. Kitts and Nevis. TVC broadcasts 24/7 on Channel 40 on The Cable in St. Kitts and on the TelTV+ cable network in St. Maarten. TVC offers the best in Caribbean news, sports, movies, and entertainment comprised of original and sourced content from producers across the region. In addition to our linear channel, TVC will also afford our viewers a chance to watch our programs on demand on our website: www.tvcplus.live.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- Households and livestock owners also need to plan for their pets and cattle/goats for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) said on Thursday.

ODM adds, if you leave your pets behind, they could get injured or lost, therefore, you should have a storm-ready ‘pet/livestock plan’ in place to keep your pet happy and comfortable. Pets are an important member of a household.

Remember, it only takes one hurricane to make it a bad season. Be prepared by having a ‘pet/livestock plan!’

Some aspects of your pet/livestock plan should entail, firstly, a pet/livestock (s) should never be chained outdoors during the passing of a storm/hurricane. Hurricane shelters cannot accept pets/livestock.

If you plan to leave your home before a hurricane strikes and are not able to take your pets with you, you should put your pet (s) in the safest room and leave adequate water and food for several days.

If you do not want to leave your pet home alone, make alternative arrangements with family or friends, and check with your veterinarian/animal hospital.

Your pet plan and basic survival kit should have the following: food for a minimum of seven days or more; water for seven days or more; medicines/medical record; registration/vaccination documents.

A pet first aid kit (cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors; antibiotic ointment; flea and tick prevention; latex gloves; and cleaning alcohol for a wound).

Collar or harness with an ID tag and a leash; a crate or pet carrier (e.g., for a cat) in case you need to evacuate your home.

Sanitation: depending on the type of pet you have, make sure you have sufficient litter, paper towels, plastic trash bags, and household chlorine bleach.

Regarding livestock, ODM is urging livestock owners to review their plans on how they will secure their livestock in the event of a hurricane strike.

Livestock owners should make sure that their animal holding areas and other infrastructure are able to sustain a hurricane strike. Any loose material that is currently not in use should be securely fastened in order to avoid damage to property and endangering human lives during the passing of a hurricane.

The following tips should be taken into consideration: Don’t keep your cattle in a barn or stable structure. This is to prevent injury from flying debris. If the barn/stable collapses, cattle have no chance to save themselves. Relocate livestock to a predetermined safe area and ensure that they have access to hay, pasture, clean water, and a safe area or high ground above flood levels.

If you have chicken cages, these should be reinforced. Medical supplies and a first aid kit should be kept on hand.

Store drinking water for a number of days. Also have an adequate supply of feed.

The community is urged to learn more about hurricane hazards and resources you need on how to prepare your family, home, or business for a storm/hurricane strike by visiting the Government website: www.sintmaartengov.org/hurricane where you will be able to download your “Hurricane Season Readiness Guide’ and “Hurricane Tracking Chart.” The information here is also valuable for new residents.

Listen to the Government Radio station SXMGOV – 107.9FM - for official information and news before, during and after a hurricane. You can also follow weather related news and information as well as national addresses by the Prime Minister, chairperson of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) by going to @SXMGOV Facebook Page.

For official weather-related information, check out the website of the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS): www.meteosxm.com or visit their social media page Facebook.com/sxmweather/