PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams has formally written to the Minister of VROMI requesting a response to the Performance Audit on the Building Permit Process (November 2025). The audit identifies significant concerns, including outdated legislation, inconsistent application of policies, lack of transparency, integrity risks, and operational bottlenecks within the permitting system.
Given these findings -and the fact that the Minister did not respond during the audit process- the Member of Parliament has requested:
1. A formal reaction from the Minister to the audit’s conclusions.
2. A clear implementation plan covering all recommendations issued by the General Audit Chamber.
3. A detailed timeline for actions such as automation of the permitting process, legislative modernization, zoning implementation, and improvements to transparency and integrity safeguards.
According to the Member of Parliament, these reforms are essential to restoring public trust, ensuring a fair and accountable permitting system, and supporting sustainable development for Sint Maarten. A response from the Minister is requested within 3 weeks.

PHILIPSBURG:--- In a direct address to the people of Sint Maarten, Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling, supported by Chief of Police Carl John and Chief Prosecutor Mannon Ridderbeks, outlined the comprehensive measures being taken to combat the recent surge in robberies and enhance public safety.

The Minister acknowledged the community's concerns and frustrations, reassuring the public that law enforcement has been proactively working to address the situation. "I hear your concerns, I feel your frustration, and I know the urgency," stated Minister Tackling. "We, as law enforcement, are not sitting still, and we have not been sitting still for the past months."

A multi-faceted strategy involving local, kingdom, and regional partners is already in motion. Key actions include:

• Request for Military Assistance: A request for Marine support was made in October to bolster the police force (APSM) during the high season. This process is ongoing, with the Marines set to operate under the Chief of Police's command upon arrival.

• Enhanced Investigative Capacity: To strengthen detective capabilities, a request was made in July for ten detectives from the Kingdom Cooperation Team (RST) and the Dutch National Police. In the interim, two investigators from the Marechaussee have been assisting APSM for the past four weeks, yielding positive operational results.

• Increased Police Presence: The community's call for more "blue on the streets" has been answered. There is already an increased police presence, and this will be further augmented with heightened controls across the island.

• Preventive Searches: Law enforcement has been granted enhanced powers to conduct preventive searches as a necessary public safety measure. The Minister emphasized that this is a serious step not taken lightly, but it is essential for security.

Minister Tackling also stressed that law enforcement is only one part of the solution. She called upon the community to take an active role in crime prevention, highlighting that the root causes of crime often develop within homes and neighborhoods where basic needs are unmet. "Justice cannot raise our children," she asserted. "We as a community need to stand up and we need to stand tall to make our homes and our lives safer as well. This is the only way that we can move forward and help our law enforcement in the long run."

Looking forward, the Minister made a firm case for sustained, multi-year funding to grow the police force, modernize policing techniques, expand investigative and detention capacities, and leverage technology. She declared her unapologetic advocacy for this level of investment, stating that the people of Sint Maarten deserve nothing less.

The statement concluded with a unified message:

• To the community: "Stay vigilant, support your neighbors, and if you see something, say something."

• To the officers: "Your commitment is visible."

• To government partners: "Prevention is all of our responsibility. Let's invest sustainably in safety in this country."

Minister Tackling expressed confidence that through unity, accountability, and long-term structural investment, Sint Maarten will restore stability and peace of mind. The public is encouraged to follow official government pages for further updates.

CAY HILL:--- The Mental Health Foundation (MHF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Delia Deoagnes Monier Herrera as its newest psychiatrist.
Originally from Cuba, Dr. Herrera is a recognized general psychiatrist who earned her medical degree from the Higher Institute of Medical Sciences of Santiago de Cuba. With more than two decades of international clinical and academic experience, she brings extensive expertise that will significantly enhance MHF’s ability to meet the growing mental health needs within the community. She is fluent in English, Spanish and Creole a versatility that will help serve MHF’s diverse clients.
“It is hard to find an organization that is truly committed to the mental health of its clients. When I saw the work MHF is doing, I was very impressed,” Dr. Herrera shared. She also expressed enthusiasm for MHF’s plans to develop a future mental health facility and described her excitement to contribute to what she referred to as a “history-making project.”
Throughout her 24-year career, Dr. Herrera has served as both a medical psychiatrist and a senior lecturer, specializing in the assessment and treatment of acute and chronic psychiatric disorders. She has a strong interest in forensic psychiatry and has applied this expertise in diverse settings.
Her international background includes ten years in Tanzania, where she worked as a Senior Consultant Psychiatrist and Senior Lecturer. During this time, she conducted psychiatric clinics in prison facilities, performed comprehensive assessments, developed treatment plans for a wide range of referred patients, and provided support to hospitals, magistrates, primary health clinics, social services, and private practices.
Dr. Herrera has held several notable leadership roles, including former Head of the Psychiatry Department at Fausto Favier Hospital in Guantánamo, Cuba; Director-Coordinator of Psychiatry at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College in Tanzania; Head of the Psychiatry Department at Mawenzi Regional Referral Hospital in Tanzania; and Head of the Psychiatry Department at St. Joseph University and Mbewni Hospital in Tanzania.
In her clinical practice, Dr. Herrera follows the biopsychosocial model of treatment, emphasizing the importance of understanding each client’s cultural and personal background to make accurate diagnoses and establish effective treatment plans.
“I want to use all my work experience and combine my ideas with the new project MHF is developing to improve the level of psychiatric care on the island,” she said. “I also hope to apply my forensic experience here in St. Maarten to help improve the lives of inmates who are currently serving time in the island’s correctional facility.”
Dr. Herrera now joins MHF’s current psychiatrist, Dr. Ricardo Teixeira. Together, their combined expertise will strengthen the Foundation’s ability to provide accessible, comprehensive, and patient-centered mental health care.
The addition of Dr. Herrera not only expands MHF’s clinical capacity but also enhances support for the wider community.
The Mental Health Foundation extends a warm welcome to Dr. Herrera and looks forward to the meaningful impact she will bring to Sint Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG:---  Several major critical infrastructure projects under the Emergency Recovery Project 1 (ERP-1) are nearing completion, strengthening Sint Maarten’s resilience in areas like energy, emergency communications, and weather monitoring.
The USD$5.1 million underground cabling project with NV GEBE is now in its final stages. This work builds on the underground utilities project that began under ERP-1 in 2022. This activity installed low-voltage electricity lines and water pipes, below ground across large parts of the Cul-de-Sac basin. The 2022 works strengthened the base of the electricity network and laid the groundwork for the mid-voltage cabling upgrades now underway.
Installation of underground cables, mid- and low-tension power lines, and new water distribution pipes is ongoing in Bishop Hill, Cole Bay, Dutch Quarter, Point Blanche, and parts of South Reward; it is scheduled to be complete by February 2026. By burying these power lines, the project reduces the risk of outages during hurricanes and makes the network more stable and easier to maintain. When the activity is complete, GEBE’s mid-tension grid in Sint Maarten will be entirely underground.
The installation of the Cell Broadcasting System is another significant activity under ERP-1. This is a new emergency alert platform that will allow the Government of Sint Maarten to send real-time warnings directly to mobile phones during disasters. The system is now entering its final testing phase and will use existing telecom networks to deliver urgent safety information during storms, floods, or other emergencies.
The project also includes installing five automated weather stations, along with stand-alone rain and tidal gauges at various locations across the island. These systems will give the Meteorological Department continuous local measurements of rainfall, temperature, humidity, and wind. This real-time data will help the Meteorological department to share detailed weather conditions with the public and improve the precision of local forecasts. The weather stations will also strengthen the development and sharing of early warnings during severe weather events. Installation and staff training are expected to be completed by February 2026.
The NRPB implements ERP-1 on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten. It is funded by the Sint Maarten Trust Fund, which is financed by the Government of the Netherlands and managed by the World Bank.