PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) has confiscated and recovered numerous vehicles over the past several weeks as part of ongoing operations to combat vehicle theft and related criminal activity across the island.
The majority of these confiscated vehicles have been confirmed as stolen property. KPSM's intensive enforcement efforts have resulted in the removal of these illegally operated vehicles from the streets and their secure impoundment at police facilities.

KPSM is now calling on all legitimate vehicle owners to come forward and reclaim their property.
If your vehicle was reported stolen and you believe it may be among those recovered by KPSM, you are required to:
1. Contact the Detective Department at +1 (721) 542-2222
2. Bring all required documentation, including:
o Original vehicle registration papers
o Proof of ownership
o Copy of the theft report filed with KPSM
o Valid identification
3. Visit the Philipsburg Police Station to verify ownership and complete the retrieval process
Owners of these vehicles must present proper documentation to the Detective Department before vehicles can be released. This verification process ensures that recovered property is returned only to rightful owners and prevents fraudulent claims.
For inquiries or to schedule an appointment:
Detective Department, KPSM
Phone: +1 (721) 542-2222

KPSM Press Release.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) has arrested four individuals suspected of involvement in a series of armed robberies targeting jewelry stores across the island, including locations in high-traffic tourist areas.
Following intensive investigations into multiple armed robberies committed over recent weeks and months, KPSM detectives executed coordinated arrests:
J.R.S. — Arrested Wednesday, December 10, 2025
S.A.K.G. — Arrested Thursday, December 11, 2025
R.A.J. — Arrested Thursday, December 11, 2025
R.P.P. — Arrested Friday morning, December 12, 2025

All four suspects are currently in custody and are being interrogated by the personnel of the Detective Department in connection with their participation in armed robberies at jewelry stores, including establishments located in tourist districts.

KPSM previously announced its commitment to take stringent measures against criminal figures responsible for these brazen attacks on local businesses. These arrests demonstrate that KPSM follows through on its promises.
The investigation into these armed robberies remains active and ongoing. KPSM detectives will be making additional arrests in the coming days and weeks as the operation continues. The Detective Department is actively pursuing all remaining suspects connected to these criminal activities.
KPSM sends a clear message: anyone targeting businesses or threatening the safety of residents and visitors will be hunted down, arrested, and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
The successful apprehension of these suspects is the direct result of dedicated detective work, community cooperation, and KPSM's unwavering commitment to eliminating violent crime from Sint Maarten's streets.

KPSM Press Release.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) is executing a relentless, island-wide offensive against criminal activity, deploying maximum resources and personnel to eliminate threats to public safety across all districts.
On Thursday, December 11, 2025, KPSM officers conducted a massive enforcement operation in the Cay Bay area, stopping and inspecting over 100 individuals. This aggressive action targeted criminal elements, traffic violators, and anyone threatening the safety of law-abiding citizens.
KPSM strike teams simultaneously descended on Maho and Simpson Bay, saturating high-traffic zones with officers during peak hours and conducting comprehensive safety sweeps to root out illegal activity.

On Wednesday, December 10th, 2025, the control team went into Belvedere, Dutch Quarter, and Middle Region with one mission: seize illegal weapons and narcotics. The operation was a success. Officers confiscated substantial quantities of illicit drugs and seized a machete from individuals who posed a direct threat to community safety.
In the Middle Region, three suspects on scooters and a dirt bike attempted to evade officers. KPSM officers intercepted and stopped the dirt bike rider. The vehicle was immediately impounded and removed from the streets.
KPSM will continue to wage an uncompromising pushback on crime and criminals. These large-scale operations will continue with escalating intensity in the days and weeks ahead. Every district. Every street. Every day.
To the public: When KPSM officers stop you during these operations, full cooperation is expected. Your support is essential. Together, we will try to restore a sense of safety on Sint Maarten.

KPSM Press Release.

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) announced that the Virgin Islands Energy Office (VIEO) has awarded a $150,000 scholarship contribution to support students enrolling in the University’s new Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Renewable Energy Technology (RET) program. In a check presentation ceremony held yesterday at the UVI RTPark Solar Farm, VIEO Deputy Director Michael Jaffurs formally presented the check to Dr. Gregory Guannel, Director of UVI’s Caribbean Green Technology Center (CGTC).

The scholarship will be available to eligible students beginning in Spring 2026 and is intended to expand access to UVI’s growing academic pathways in renewable energy and sustainability. The fund will support U.S. citizens and legal residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands who declare the AAS in Renewable Energy Technology or the forthcoming Certificate in Renewable Energy Technology, as their major.

Dr. Guannel said the scholarship represents a major step in building local capacity within the renewable energy sector. “This generous investment from the Virgin Islands Energy Office ensures that more Virgin Islanders can access the training needed to participate in the Territory’s clean energy transition,” said Dr. Guannel. “By reducing financial barriers, we can help students gain the technical skills that are urgently needed in our community and across the region. We are sincerely grateful to the VIEO for its partnership and commitment to supporting the next generation of renewable energy professionals.”

Virgin Islands Energy Office Director Kyle Fleming stated, “By leveraging a DOE grant to invest $150,000 in scholarships for UVI’s Renewable Energy Technologies program, the Virgin Islands Energy Office is doubling down on a common-sense synergy: aligning our federal funding with a homegrown workforce development pipeline that will build, maintain, and expand the clean energy systems our community continues to embrace. This scholarship ensures that the federal funding secured by the VIEO reduces cost barriers for Virgin Islanders seeking to gain the expertise needed to lead the Territory’s energy transformation.”

Prospective students interested in the AAS in Renewable Energy Technology or the upcoming certificate program are encouraged to apply for Spring 2026 admission.

The AAS in Renewable Energy Technology was launched in 2024 by the UVI College of Science and Mathematics and CGTC to develop a capable workforce that will help the USVI, the Caribbean region, and the U.S. accelerate its renewable energy revolution. The two-year AAS in RET degree program educates students and future professionals in basic electrical concepts, renewable energy technologies, and installing and repairing photovoltaic (PV) systems. Completion of the RET program, including the required internship and course labs, will prepare students to confidently enter the renewable energy workforce. The program is also designed to be a step towards a baccalaureate degree in physics or applied mathematics. Graduates of the RET program will have the knowledge required to pass the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) photovoltaic system (PV) Associate examination, an internationally recognized certification for PV installation companies and practitioners.