PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling used Wednesday’s Council of Ministers Press Briefing to commend law enforcement officers for their work during the 2026 Carnival season while outlining several priorities within the Justice Ministry, including foster care support, victim services, immigration enforcement, and the construction of the new prison facility.

Addressing the nation during the May 6 briefing in St. Maarten, Tackling described April as a month marked by both celebration and loss.

The minister praised the police force for maintaining order throughout the island’s 55th Carnival celebrations, describing the period as one of the most demanding times for law enforcement officers.

“To our police force, thank you for your unwavering commitment, vigilance, presence, and for maintaining order throughout the Carnival season,” Tackling said. “From the Festival Village to J’ouvert Morning to every parade route, you showed up with integrity when it mattered most.”

She also commended officers for their response to the recent attempted robbery in Philipsburg, calling it “excellent work by the police force.”

Tackling emphasized that the government’s zero-tolerance approach to public disorder remains in effect beyond Carnival festivities.

“Safety is not seasonal,” she stated. “It is an ongoing responsibility, and one that we remain committed to.”

The minister also paid tribute to the late Brigadier Kari Hyman, who was recently laid to rest. Tackling described Hyman as an officer who served “with integrity, professionalism, and most of all, with heart.”

“Her contributions to this country will not be forgotten,” the minister said.

During her address, Tackling highlighted the beginning of Foster Care Awareness Month, which officially started on May 5 under the theme “Foster the Future.”

She urged residents to become more involved in supporting vulnerable children and foster families, noting that the government plans to increase financial assistance to foster families through the 2026 draft budget.

“With that, we are more than doubling the amount that currently goes to foster families,” Tackling announced, while acknowledging that additional support will still be needed.

The minister stressed that investment in children and stable family environments is directly tied to crime prevention.

“My position as Minister is clear: it is far better to invest in prevention than in punishment,” she said. “Every child who grows up supported, stable, and with a sense of belonging is a child less likely to end up on the wrong side of a courtroom.”

Tackling also provided updates on Victim Support Services (VSS), noting that the office has undergone upgrades to improve privacy and accessibility for victims seeking assistance.

According to the minister, the department has expanded services by creating private counseling spaces, training staff to handle sensitive matters such as workplace sexual harassment, and improving accessibility through multilingual support.

She noted that reports of domestic violence have increased but said this also reflects a greater willingness among victims to seek help.

“This is a step in the right direction,” Tackling said.

On immigration matters, the minister reported that Immigration and Border Protection Services (IBPS) continued targeted enforcement operations across businesses, construction sites, and communities.

She revealed that during the last quarter, authorities carried out 65 deportations and denied entry to 34 individuals due to insufficient documentation, misrepresentation, or identification issues.

The operations were conducted in collaboration with Customs, Labor Inspection, the Coast Guard, and French-side authorities.

Tackling also addressed the status of the new prison project, assuring the public that the development remains on schedule despite construction not yet beginning on-site.

She explained that the project is currently in an advanced mobilization phase, with financial, contractual, and operational preparations nearing completion.

“Construction activities are scheduled to begin this month, starting with site preparation,” the minister stated.

Tackling concluded by reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to strengthening public safety and improving justice services across the country.

“We will continue strengthening our systems, supporting those who rely on them, and ensuring that our approach to safety is consistent and effective,” she said.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina used Wednesday’s Council of Ministers press briefing to commend the country’s firefighters and police force, announce expanded Civil Registry services, and provide details regarding the upcoming visit of Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten.
Opening the briefing, Mercelina congratulated the firefighters of St. Maarten on International Firefighters Day, observed on May 4.
“I want to make use of this opportunity to still congratulate the firefighters and acknowledge once more their commitment and their services that they are guaranteeing 24 hours a day to the community of St. Maarten,” the Prime Minister said.

Mercelina also praised the St. Maarten Police Force (KPSM) for its handling of the recent Carnival season, commending officers for maintaining public order throughout the festivities.
“We have to admit that the police force of St. Maarten did a wonderful job actually guiding the whole period of our national Carnival festivities,” he stated.
The Prime Minister also recognized police officers for their response to the recent armed robbery on Front Street, specifically highlighting the professionalism displayed during the operation.
“Their efforts, particularly in the apprehension of those involved, demonstrate commitment to maintaining public safety and upholding the rule of law,” Mercelina said.
He also offered special praise to the officer directly involved in the incident.

“An extra thank you for this heroic moment that took place with this police officer for what he actually did to protect our community,” he added.
The Prime Minister further announced that the Civil Registry Department will introduce additional Saturday opening hours throughout May to help residents renew important documents.
The expanded service will focus on identification cards, driver’s licenses, and passports.
Mercelina revealed that the first passport walk-in service is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, and will specifically accommodate passports that expired or will expire between January 2026 and October 2026.
According to government estimates, approximately 1,500 passports are due for expiration.
“It is a gigantic amount of passports,” Mercelina noted while explaining the need for the additional service days.

Residents will be able to access the walk-in passport service between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., provided they arrive with all required documents.
The government is also encouraging the public to monitor official social media platforms for additional updates regarding future service dates and available services.
The Prime Minister additionally confirmed that Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten is scheduled to arrive in St. Maarten on Friday night for a brief official working visit.
According to Mercelina, Jetten’s visit will include meetings with the Prime Minister, the Council of Ministers, Members of Parliament, and representatives of the justice chain.
The Dutch Prime Minister is also expected to tour several Trust Fund projects during his stay before departing the island on Sunday morning.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is currently investigating a burglary that occurred in the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 6th, 2026, on the Calabash Road located in the Cole Bay area.

At approximately 2.30 AM, unknown suspect(s) unlawfully entered a residence in the Cole Bay neighborhood. During the incident, a substantial sum of money was stolen from the home.

Detectives are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident. At this time, no arrests have been made. KPSM urges anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious around the time of the incident to come forward. Any information, no matter how minor it may seem, could assist in the ongoing investigation. Members of the public with relevant information are encouraged to contact the Police Force of Sint Maarten via 5422222 or the anonymous tip line 9300.

KPSM reminds residents to remain vigilant and to ensure that their homes and valuables are properly secured.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina says the government is pushing ahead with efforts to modernize the country’s budgeting process while simultaneously dealing with delays surrounding the 2026 national budget.
Speaking during Wednesday’s Council of Ministers press briefing, Mercelina acknowledged that the 2026 budget remains behind schedule and is currently under review by the Council of Advice.
“We are already behind in our time planning for the budget of 2026,” Mercelina stated. “The 2026 national budget is still pending at this particular moment. It’s by the Council of Advice.”
The Prime Minister explained that government submitted the 2026 budget late and is now awaiting feedback from the advisory body before moving forward with the next phase of the process.
“We are waiting on their feedback. And after that, we will have to make another report, as we say. And then it will be submitted to Parliament,” he said.
Despite the delay, Mercelina emphasized that government has already begun preparing the 2027 budget using what he described as “a totally different approach” aimed at improving financial planning and ensuring future budgets are approved by Parliament before September.
Under the leadership of the Ministry of Finance and with support from the Temporary Work Organization (TWO), the government has already established financial ceilings for each ministry and identified three policy priorities per ministry as part of a policy-based budgeting model.
“All ministries will be required to submit their draft budgets and explanatory notes,” Mercelina explained, adding that the Ministry of General Affairs has already completed its submission for the 2027 process.
The Prime Minister outlined several major priorities that will shape government spending in both 2026 and 2027, including strengthening public administration, improving shared government services such as Personnel and Organization (P&O), legal affairs, and facility management.
Mercelina also highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and stronger cross-border collaboration with French Saint-Martin and the Kingdom.
Another key area of investment involves disaster preparedness and emergency response capabilities.
“Advancing long overdue investments in disaster management and crisis response, including essential equipment for the Fire Department and strengthening of the Office for Disaster Management,” remains one of government’s priorities, Mercelina said.
The Prime Minister additionally addressed ongoing staffing shortages within government, describing the recruitment of qualified professionals as one of St. Maarten’s largest institutional challenges.
“One of the biggest challenges we still have is the equipment of our government with enough professionals,” he stated.
Government, he said, is working closely with TWO to recruit professionals to strengthen public services across the country.
During the question-and-answer segment, Mercelina also addressed the country’s broader financial challenges, noting that St. Maarten continues to face structural limitations due to its small population and economic realities.
“There is no financial formula that 15,000 people can pay for 60,000,” the Prime Minister said while discussing healthcare financing and public service demands.
Mercelina stressed that solving the country’s long-term financial issues will require broader contributions from the population as the government attempts to balance national priorities with limited resources.