PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Police Force KPSM and the Prosecutor’s Office Sint Maarten OM SXM would like to thank to the public for their assistance and information concerning the suspicious yellow van involved in a violent armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 17 October 2025, at approximately 1:30 pm at Ocean Jewelry in J.W. Marriott Hotel in Dawn Beach. The suspect in the yellow van was apprehended.
During this incident on Friday, 17 October 2025, at approximately 1:30 pm, three masked individuals drove onto the premises and entered the establishment, brandishing a gun. Following that, the perpetrators fled the scene in a stolen black Kia Soul with an undisclosed amount of jewelry.
Law enforcement is still investigating, and with the public's help, we want to locate the other suspect(s) involved in this serious crime.
To support this effort, screenshots from surveillance video have been made public (in an earlier press release) for identification purposes. The goal is to find anyone who may have witnessed the robbery, but has not yet been questioned by police, including anyone who saw a possibly Red colored SUV (entering or leaving the area of Dawn Beach around 1:30pm and 2:00pm) or has any other information to come forward immediately.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the police station at 1721-54-22222 911, or the police anonymous tip line 9300, or visit the police station.
All information is valuable and can significantly help the investigation.

KPSM Press Release.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Backstreet Bonanza Organizing Team, in collaboration with the Backstreet Merchants and local vendors, is pleased to announce the 6th annual Backstreet Bonanza, taking place on Saturday, November 29, and Sunday, November 30, 2025. This highly anticipated two-day event will once again transform Backstreet into a vibrant hub of extended Black Friday deals, early Christmas shopping, live entertainment, and a variety of local vendors showcasing their products.

The event will run from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Saturday and from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sunday, offering residents and visitors ample time to enjoy the festivities. The public is encouraged to come out on both days, as some vendors will only be present for one of the two days, and you won’t want to miss the full experience.

Backstreet will be closed to through-traffic from 7:00 PM on Friday, November 28, and will reopen on Sunday, November 30 at 6:00 PM. Motorists are strongly advised not to park on Backstreet during this period, as any vehicle found parked in the restricted area will be towed.
A special highlight of the weekend will take place on Sunday at 2:00 p.m., when Santa Claus comes to town to spread holiday cheer and distribute gifts to children aged 0–12. Families are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy this festive moment.

The Backstreet Bonanza Organizing Team extends its appreciation to Flow, the main sponsor of this year’s event, for their generous support, as well as to the Ministry of TEATT for their continued collaboration. The Laser 101 team will provide an on-site live broadcast, keeping the community engaged with updates and entertainment.

The community is invited to come out and enjoy two days of safe, family-friendly fun, exciting deals, and vibrant holiday spirit. Join us on Saturday, November 29, and Sunday, November 30, as we celebrate the 6th anniversary of Backstreet Bonanza—bigger, brighter, and better than ever.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Inspectorate of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor is warning the general public about the use of medicines obtained from unauthorized sources (i.e., illegal medication).
Illegal medicines are those sold outside the approved, legal, and regulated supply chain. They are not obtained from licensed pharmacies or official distributors. These medicines are often sold by unregulated individuals or establishments, fraudulent website,s and are promoted on social media platforms. There is no guarantee that these medicines meet the necessary standards of quality, efficacy, and safety.
Such illegal medicines pose a serious risk to public health. Their quality is unpredictable, as they may contain the wrong amount of active ingredients, harmful levels of other ingredients, or none at all. They may also be expired, contaminated, or poorly stored. Illegal medicines are known to be manufactured in clandestine laboratories with no quality control.
People who use illegal medicines are therefore at a very high risk of treatment failure, unexpected and serious health problems, and dangerous interactions with other drugs.
Noteworthy is the global rise in the sale of illegal medicines marketed for weight loss and diabetes. These medicines, when obtained from the regulated supply chain, should only be taken under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Patients who think they might benefit from treatment with weight loss drugs should consult a doctor and should not buy them without a prescription or from sources other than legitimate retailers (authorized pharmacies).
The public is advised only to purchase medicines from licensed pharmacies!
The Inspectorate strongly urges any individual possessing information regarding suspected importation and or sale of illegal medicines to contact our office, as these actions constitute a violation of the law and present significant risks to public health and safety.

Cupe Coy:--- Earlier this month, the Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the American University of the Caribbean (AUC), hosted its first First Aid / Heart Saver CPR AED and Stop the Bleed training for justice personnel. The session stems from discussions Minister Tackling held with AUC representatives earlier this year, focused on strengthening the Ministry’s capacity, readiness, and service to the public.

The training was facilitated by Windward Islands Emergency Medical Services (WIEMS) and AUC students and certified trainers, with participation from customs officers, the Secretary-General, cabinet staff, Immigration officers, and representatives from several justice departments.

This initiative reflects Minister Tackling’s commitment to strengthening the justice system from within, with additional capacity-building opportunities expected as the Ministry continues prioritizing preparedness and resilience across the justice chain.