PHILIPSBURG: --- Minister of Justice Lyndon Lewis on Wednesday made clear that culprits responsible for the recent shootings will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. He said the recent spike in gun violence has his immediate attention.

Lewis said he held several meetings since the shootings with the management of KPSM, the Prosecutor’s Office, and the Prison management to find solutions to the crime rate in St. Maarten.

The Minister of Justice said he discussed enforcing the laws to combat the crime rate in St. Maarten in his meetings with Chief Commissioner of Police Carl John and suggested that extra support be sought from Curacao for the upcoming snap elections.

The Minister said the increase in gun violence is not only disturbing but also destructive to the economy and the tourist product. As such, those who have chosen to mess with the bread and butter of the country will also face the full extent of the law.

LACK OF PRISON SPACE.

Asked what the status of the Pointe Balance Prison is and how he intends to address the lack of space at the prison. Lewis said that the repairs that are to be conducted by UNOPS will begin in January 2025. He said that, on Tuesday, he met with the prison management to address the capacity of the prison cells and the situation. It is what it is, and he is busy assessing the crimes committed and which prisoners would be eligible for early release. He said the discussion would continue later this week when the Chief Commissioner of Police and Prosecutor will be involved.

Lewis confirmed that the ankle bracelets will be used with the early release program.

The Minister of Justice also announced that while in the Netherlands, he was informed that St. Maarten is working too slowly and that people have been hindering the process. He said the Netherlands made NAF 2 million available for the prison project, and the country stands to lose it if the money is not utilized.

He said he is doing what is necessary to ensure that St. Maarten does not lose the funds by speeding up the project.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Justice Lyndon Lewis announced at the Council of Ministers press briefing that he assumed that certain employees appointed by the former Minister of Justice Anna Richardson have been delaying the process of the Landsbesluit for justice workers. Lewis said the “employees” appointed during the last days of the Minister’s tenure seem to be working for the former Minister, and they are playing with the “lives of the people.” Lewis made clear that the employees that he feels are delaying the process are not harming him personally, but they are disturbing the peace of the justice workers. He said the allegations are that the bidding is being done by the employees that were put in place by the former Minister of Justice. He called on those employees to stop and to do their jobs.
Lewis said that since taking office, he has not removed anyone from their appointed positions; instead, he has opted to allow everyone to work for their country.
The Minister of Justice further explained that the sixth batch was signed off on June 19th, 2024, and sent to the Governor’s Office for signature. “I am told the governor is off island, and I have asked why the acting governor is not signing off on the LBs that were sent. I am told this person is not 100% in office. I don’t know what that means, and I am still waiting for the Landsbesluits to return to me for co-signing. I do not understand what is happening and don’t know what types of games are being played, but to date, I have not received the 25 LBs that were sent to the governor’s office for signature.”
The Minister further explained that the justice workers have covered batches 7 and 8, which cover another 50 employees. These LBs are going through the process, after which they, too, will be sent to the governor while he sits and waits for the signed LBs.

Utrecht:---  The Trimbos Institute proudly welcomed the Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary, Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell, NRPB, and two representatives of the Ministry of Health of Sint Maarten. This groundbreaking visit aimed to exchange knowledge, share best practices in mental health and addiction, and provide vital insights into the mental health and substance use priorities for Sint Maarten.

The delegation, initiated by the Sint Maarten government, sought to leverage the Trimbos Institute's expertise in developing community mental health services, promoting mental health prevention across all age groups, integrating mental health and substance use services, and mobilizing communities for better mental health outcomes.

"Financed by the Trust Fund, Trimbos will work closely together with the Mental Health Foundation, the Ministry of VSA, and the NRPB on improving Sint Maarten’s mental health sector.”

As the leading Expertisecentre in Mental Health, the Trimbos Institute eagerly shared comprehensive information, addressing the unique context and challenges faced by Sint Maarten.

“Our mission is to ensure that every person in Sint Maarten has access to the mental health support they need,” declared Dr. Luc Mercelina. “Given our specific context, we advocate for a pragmatic and holistic approach to addressing mental health and substance use. We aim to ensure that all residents of Sint Maarten can access a comprehensive range of mental health services, from initiatives that enhance social support, resilience, and mental well-being to those aiding recovery from mental illness and addiction. The collaboration with Trimbos Institute is a significant step towards achieving this mission.”

The visit included captivating presentations, spirited discussions, and a dynamic Q&A session. Dr. Mercelina, a renowned surgeon with a deep interest in the health and well-being of young people, expressed particular enthusiasm for these topics. The delegation was inspired by Trimbos Institute’s international projects, such as the MENSANA project in Moldova, and appreciated the tour of the Enik Recovery College, a model of best practice in mental health recovery.

"This successful visit has set the stage for stronger mental health care on St.Maarten , particularly in public mental health prevention, promotion, and care," added Dr. Mercelina. “We are committed to working collaboratively to improve mental health outcomes for all our communities.”

"This initiative highlights the shared commitment to improving mental health and addiction care for St. Maarten.”

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department in the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA), is calling on the population to be vigilant for respiratory illnesses, as many countries in the Caribbean are experiencing an increase in the number of cases.

Preventive measures should be applied at all times, such as sneezing in a napkin or inside of your elbow sleeve, and don’t forget to wash your hands regularly with soap and water.

Hand washing should last at least two minutes, or you can use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.

Practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette. Persons with flu-like symptoms should consult with their house doctor for medical advice.

If your house doctor refers you to the laboratory, you should follow these instructions as any respiratory illness is reported to CPS for follow-up and case management.

Having data available will ensure that CPS disseminates timely awareness and communication to the community.

CPS encourages the population to remain healthy during this summer holiday.