PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is sending a clear message: enforcement is active, visible, and ongoing. Over the past week, the Action Team conducted a series of targeted operations across multiple districts, combining traffic controls, preventative searches, and rapid response to an armed threat — reinforcing KPSM's commitment to keeping Sint Maarten's roads and communities safe.
On Wednesday, officers deployed to the Maho area with a focus on traffic compliance and order. In a welcome sign of progress, no vehicles were found parked in the designated "No Parking Zone" — a direct result of sustained enforcement efforts and a testament to the impact of consistent policing.
Despite this positive outcome, serious concerns remain about the conduct of certain double-decker bus drivers. Several drivers demonstrated an unwillingness to comply with traffic regulations, particularly when police were not immediately visible. KPSM will not tolerate selective compliance. Going forward, offending bus drivers will face fines and on-the-spot inspections under the Road Traffic Ordinance.

The Action Team also responded to a serious incident in which a man allegedly assaulted another individual and threatened a woman with a firearm before fleeing the scene on foot. Acting on dispatch intelligence, the Action Team coordinated immediately with the responding patrol unit and developed a tactical approach to safely apprehend the armed and potentially dangerous suspect. Upon arrival, the suspect had already left the area and could not be located despite a thorough search of the surroundings. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
During this period, KPSM recorded the following enforcement actions:
75 vehicles checked under the Road Traffic Ordinance, 20 vehicles subjected to preventative search, 32 individuals subjected to preventative frisking, and 6 scooters checked.

ARUBA:--- Member of Parliament Egbert J. Doran is continuing his efforts to explore structured, military-based training opportunities for Sint Maarten’s youth aged 18 and older, following recent talks with Aruba’s Minister of Justice, the Honorable Arthur Dowers.

The discussions form part of Doran’s ongoing follow-up to a proposal he submitted last year to the Government of Sint Maarten, addressed to both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice. In that proposal, he called on the government to reconsider allowing local youth access to structured military-oriented training programs abroad.

To date, no official response has been received from the Government of Sint Maarten regarding the proposal, and a requested meeting on the matter has not been convened. “I am looking forward to an open discussion with the Government of Sint Maarten on this matter,” Doran stated.

Despite the absence of a response, Doran has continued engaging Kingdom partners to assess practical options for regional cooperation. He explored whether Sint Maarten’s youth could access existing training opportunities in Aruba and Curaçao and sought further insight into how those programs operate and how young people could benefit.

During the Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO), at the request of MP Doran, a member of the Sint Maarten delegation, military-based youth training was formally placed on the agenda. This resulted in the Kingdom's parliamentary delegations visiting the military training facility in Aruba to gain first-hand insight into the program’s structure and intake process.

As a follow-up, the matter was included on the Kingdom’s Afsprakenlijst, with reference to challenges related to “menskracht” within existing training frameworks. In this context, menskracht refers to the availability of sufficient registered participants to fully utilize the existing training capacity.

According to Doran, discussions with Aruba confirmed that, while the infrastructure and training framework are in place, the challenges primarily relate to ensuring sufficient registered participants to maximize available training opportunities.

Aruba’s Minister of Justice, the Honorable Arthur Dowers, expressed openness to collaboration, stating: “I fully support the idea of regional cooperation in this area and look forward to further exploring these possibilities with the Government of Sint Maarten to benefit the youth of our islands.”

“This is not only about addressing delinquency,” Doran emphasized. “It is about opening doors for young people who want to build meaningful careers and futures.”

He added that partnering with countries that already have established facilities may provide a practical pathway toward expanding access to disciplined training, skills development, and long-term career opportunities for Sint Maarten’s youth.

MP Doran reiterated that he looks forward to receiving a formal response from the Government of Sint Maarten and to the convening of the requested meeting so that discussions can proceed at the national level.

“I remain hopeful that we can work together to further determine the mechanisms needed to make this initiative a reality for our youth,” he said.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Windward Islands Bank (WIB) has come under intense scrutiny as a major fraud investigation unfolds, implicating one of its employees in a scheme that allegedly siphoned thousands of dollars from customer accounts. Despite the gravity of the situation, WIB has chosen to remain tight-lipped, offering no comment when approached by SMN News.
In a brief statement, WIB’s spokesperson, after consulting with the bank’s management, declined to address the allegations or provide any reassurance to its customers. This silence has only fueled public outrage, as customers demand accountability and transparency from the financial institution.
Adding to the growing concerns, it has been revealed that banks on St. Maarten, including WIB, do not have insurance in place to protect their customers from such fraudulent activities. This alarming fact was confirmed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during a recent assessment of transparency practices on the island. The lack of insurance leaves customers exposed to significant financial losses, with little to no recourse in the event of fraud.
The ongoing investigation, led by the detectives and fraud departments of the Korps Politie Sint Maarten (KPSM), has already resulted in the freezing of several accounts. Police Spokesman Joe Josepha confirmed that the police is conducting a very broad investigation but refrained from providing specific details.
Sources indicate that the scheme involved an employee transferring large sums of money—up to $15,000 at a time—to accomplices, who then funneled the funds to the employee’s boyfriend in Sint Eustatius. The boyfriend was apprehended in St. Maarten while driving a stolen vehicle, accompanied by another woman who is also alleged to have received stolen funds.
The scandal has left WIB customers questioning the bank’s internal controls and security measures. How could such a scheme go undetected? What safeguards, if any, are in place to protect account holders? The revelation that banks on St. Maarten lack insurance to cover customer losses only deepens the crisis of confidence.
The IMF’s findings on transparency practices further highlight systemic vulnerabilities in the island’s banking sector. The transparency assessment was conducted on the request of Central Bank of Curacao and Sint Maarten.
Without proper insurance or robust oversight, customers are left to bear the brunt of financial crimes, eroding trust in local financial institutions.
WIB’s refusal to comment or provide clarity on the situation is a disservice to its customers and the community at large. This is not just a financial scandal—it is a breach of trust that strikes at the heart of the bank’s relationship with its customers
As the investigation continues, the public will be watching closely. WIB’s silence is not an option. The bank owes its customers’ answers, accountability, and a commitment to ensuring that such a betrayal never happens again. Until then, the shadow of this scandal will loom large over the institution and the island’s banking sector as a whole.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Darryl York says he is deeply disappointed in the direction signaled by the Government following recent remarks by Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs suggesting that one or two additional casinos may enter the market.

“At a time when families are struggling, when the cost of living continues to rise, and when many of our people are searching for financial stability, the idea that expanding the casino footprint is even being entertained is troubling,” MP York stated.

The Minister indicated that St. Maarten already has a significant casino presence and that any expansion must be weighed against fairness, compliance, and social impact. She further urged a stronger community role from the casino sector, highlighting the need for more visible contributions tied to responsible gambling, support for residents facing hardship, and broader community-oriented initiatives.

MP York strongly disagrees with this approach.

“We cannot outsource the protection of our people to casinos,” he said. “It is not the responsibility of casino operators to safeguard our citizens from gambling addiction and financial ruin. That responsibility belongs to the government.”

He continued: “If we are now discussing social responsibility, hardship, addiction, and compliance, then that is already an acknowledgment that there is a social cost attached to this industry. So why would the solution be more casinos?”

MP York pointed out that St. Maarten already has one of the highest concentrations of gambling establishments per square kilometer anywhere in the world.

“We must ask ourselves honestly: has this made our people wealthier? Has this strengthened our social fabric? Or has it deepened cycles of financial desperation for many?”

He referenced concerns raised in oversight discussions regarding the social and economic impact of gambling, noting that many residents are already financially strained.

“People are searching for financial hope, but casinos are not where they will find it,” he said. “When individuals who are already struggling are exposed to easy access gambling, the consequences can be severe not only for them, but for their families.”

The Member of Parliament also expressed concern about what he described as mixed messaging from the Government.

“We have seen the Government promote Christmas events at casinos and normalize gambling as entertainment for the entire community. That sends the wrong signal. We should not be marketing gambling as a celebration, especially in a society where many are financially vulnerable.”

MP York further pointed to international examples where stronger safeguards exist.

“In the Netherlands, locals must show identification to enter casinos, and there are systems preventing individuals who are registered in debt from accessing gambling establishments. In The Bahamas, casinos are restricted primarily to tourists. These jurisdictions recognize that their own citizens require protection.”

He added that St. Maarten already has legal mechanisms intended to limit excessive gambling by residents, but enforcement has historically been inconsistent.

“Before we talk about expanding the industry or asking casinos to take on a greater ‘community role,’ we must use the tools that already exist. We must enforce our own laws. We must strengthen responsible gambling frameworks. And we must prioritize public health over profit.”

“A casino license is not an entitlement. It is a discretionary decision of Government,” he stated. “The authority to grant or deny these licenses rests squarely with the Minister, and that discretion must be exercised in the best interest of the people of St. Maarten.”

He urged the Government to act responsibly and decisively.

“I strongly urge the Government not to grant any additional casino licenses. Our priority must be protecting our people, not expanding an industry that carries significant social risks. Before we even consider growth in this sector, we must first ensure stronger enforcement of existing safeguards, proper oversight, and meaningful protections for our residents.”