PHILIPSBURG:---  As part of Justice Week 2025, the St. Maarten Police Force (KPSM) proudly unveiled its Wall of Honor on Wednesday July 16^th 2025, in a moving tribute to three local former Chiefs of Police who served St Maarten namely Mr. Walter Kramers, Mr. Rupert Louis Lionel Brown and Mr. Derrick Eddison Holiday who all served as Chiefs of Police of the Sint Maarten Police Force.

The unveiling took place after following a special Justice Week church service, in the presence of the Governor of St. Maarten his excellency, Mr. Ajamu Baly, honorable Minister of Justice Ms.Nathalie Tackling, honorable members of Parliament Ms. Veronica Jansen, Ms. Sjamira Roseburg, Mr. Francisco La Croes, family members of two of the three honored former Chiefs of Police, colleagues, and guests.

The Wall of Honor features the names and portraits of the entire former Chiefs of Police of the Sint Maarten Police Force, recognizing their invaluable contributions to the growth and leadership of law enforcement on the island. More than just names and photographs, the Wall stands as a lasting tribute to their sacrifice, commitment, and years of service to the people of St. Maarten.

 KPSM remains guided by the values established by its past leaders and continues its mission to serve and protect the community with integrity, professionalism and honor. The Wall of Honor now stands as a symbol of respect, recognition, and inspiration for all who walk through the halls of KPSM.

KPSM Press Release.

PHILIPSBURG  (DCOMM):---  The Office of Disaster Management (ODM) is advising residents to review their hurricane emergency supply kit to make sure they have enough non-perishable food items and necessary medications on hand to keep for up to a minimum of fourteen days for each family member after the passing of a hurricane.

Electricity and water could be out for at least that long.

The objective is also to minimize the potential for foodborne illnesses in the event of a prolonged electricity outage associated with the passing of a hurricane.  

Some medications require refrigeration to keep their strength, including many liquid drugs. When the electricity is out for a day or more, throw away any medication that should be refrigerated, unless the drug's label says otherwise.

If a life depends on the refrigerated drug, but the medications have been at room temperature, use them only until a new supply is available. Replace all refrigerated drugs as soon as possible. Contact your house doctor or pharmacy for replacement medications.

Hurricanes not only pose dangers to people’s physical safety, but also power outages can affect the safety of the food and medicine people may depend on after an electricity outage.

Steps to take before a hurricane arrives: Keep an appliance thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer. An appliance thermometer will indicate the temperature inside the refrigerator and freezer in case of a power outage and help determine the safety of the food.

Make sure the freezer is at 0°F/-17C or below and the refrigerator is at 40°F/4.4C or below.  Freeze containers of water for ice to help keep food cold in the freezer, refrigerator or coolers after the electricity goes out.

Freeze refrigerated items such as leftovers, milk, and fresh meat and poultry that you may not need immediately — this helps keep them at a safe temperature longer. Plan and know where dry ice and block ice can be purchased.

Have coolers on hand to keep refrigerator food cold if the electricity is out for more than four (4) hours. Purchase or make ice and store in the freezer for use in the refrigerator or in a cooler.  Freeze gel packs ahead of time for use in coolers.

Group food together in the freezer — this helps the food stay cold longer.  Store food on shelves that will be safely out of the way of contaminated water in case of flooding.

Steps to follow after the hurricane has passed are: Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature. The refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about four (4) hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) and the door remains closed.

Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers, and deli items after four hours without power.  If you’re in doubt, throw it out!

Exercise caution when buying prepared food from restaurants after the passing of a storm or hurricane!

PHILIPSBURG:--- With more families across St. Maarten facing serious health battles, including a troubling rise in cancer diagnoses, concerns over food safety growing louder, residents are increasingly asking: What are we putting into our bodies? And are we doing enough to protect our health?

In response to these urgent questions, Members of Parliament Egbert Doran and Francisco Lacroes met today with Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA) Richinel Brug and his team. Their goal is to come together and chart a stronger, more protective path forward in food safety.

This was no ordinary meeting. It was a frank, solutions-focused conversation rooted in the real anxieties and frustrations people are voicing, especially as more households deal with cancer and other chronic illnesses that many believe could be linked, in part, to what is found in our foods. Another point raised by MP Doran was the testing of drinking water imported from outside the island, which isn’t subject to testing, unlike the local water production.

A major hurdle quickly emerged: St. Maarten currently has a limited number of health inspectors responsible for overseeing all imported goods, including food items. The scale of the job is staggering, and it's clear that this alone cannot ensure safety for an entire island. One potential solution raised during the meeting was to redirect fines collected from the seizure of unsafe products toward hiring additional inspectors. However, under current law, that option isn't yet viable, highlighting the need for updated legislation.

Both MPs and Minister Brug agreed that reforming outdated food safety laws is now a top priority. The meeting laid the groundwork for follow-up sessions between the MPs and the Minister, where legal and expert professionals will be brought in to help translate ideas into realistic, enforceable rules. These future laws must reflect the specific challenges faced by St. Maarten and prioritize the health of its people over outdated processes.

The discussion also stressed the need for deeper cooperation with French St. Martin, since unsafe or questionable products often cross borders with little resistance. Shared enforcement efforts and common food standards were discussed as key ways to ensure that no part of the island becomes a backdoor for harmful imports.

Among other ideas floated were tightening restrictions on food additives, placing new controls on unhealthy or high-risk imports, and improving the way inspections are conducted, given existing resource limitations.

While challenges remain, today’s meeting offered something increasingly rare: a sense of hope, unity, and urgency. It showed that community concerns are not falling on deaf ears and that leaders are ready to act. With the health of the island at stake, and cancer touching more families each year, there is no room for delay.

Food safety isn’t just about regulations it’s about people’s lives, their well-being, and their right to trust what’s on their plate. The message from today’s meeting was clear: change is not only possible it’s necessary. And it’s coming.

(Message from the Acting Minister of Justice for Justice Week.)

PHILIPSBURG:--- Justice Week serves as a powerful reminder of the fundamental principles on which our society is built. We are not simply striving to build a functioning society; we are working toward building a just society, one rooted in the rule of law, as prescribed by our Constitution.

This week invites us all to reflect on the vital role of an impartial, accessible, and effective justice system in promoting peace, security, and equitable development across our communities.

It is also a moment to recognize and celebrate the tireless efforts of our justice sector workers: from the judiciary and law enforcement agencies to legal professionals, correctional officers, immigration and customs agents, and all others who serve behind the scenes to uphold justice and protect the dignity and rights of every individual. To each of you, I say sincerely, “Thank you for your service.”

I encourage every resident of St. Maarten to join me, not just during Justice Week, but every day, in expressing appreciation to those who serve in the justice chain. Whether you encounter a police officer, an immigration or customs agent, a VKS officer, or any other justice personnel, take a moment to say, “Thank you for your service.” In many countries, particularly the United States, it is customary to express gratitude to military officers in this manner. Let's adopt a similar culture here, in recognition of the sacrifices made by our own men and women in uniform. A few simple words can go a long way in boosting morale and reinforcing the value of their work.

Justice is more than a set of laws written on paper; it is a living, breathing system that must be accessible, transparent, and equitable for all. As we continue strengthening our justice system, we must remain committed to ensuring that all those within it are well-equipped, properly trained, and fairly compensated. This is essential to ensuring fair and timely treatment for all individuals, regardless of their background or status, because, as the saying goes, justice delayed is justice denied. This is not just a moral duty; it is a constitutional imperative and a cornerstone of a stable, resilient, and just society.

Yet justice does not stop at the courtroom door. It includes social justice, economic justice, gender equality, and the protection of vulnerable groups. We must continue to promote these ideals through targeted programs, community outreach, and collaboration with civil society, as well as regional and international partners. Only then can we truly build a society where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered.

Justice Week should also emphasize the importance of educating our citizens about their rights and responsibilities. An informed public is crucial to the proper functioning of any justice system. We must rededicate ourselves to raising awareness, fostering public dialogue, and promoting respect for the rule of law. Community engagement, particularly through our Community Police Officers, plays a crucial role in fostering trust and reinforcing our social fabric.

In closing, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all those who work in our justice system, including judges, lawyers, prosecutors, police officers, VKS, immigration officials, customs officers, prison officers, and every stakeholder committed to justice on our island. Your dedication and professionalism uphold human rights, deliver fairness, and serve as a pillar of our democracy. I also pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. We owe them an immeasurable debt.

As Acting Minister of Justice, I extend these sentiments in full solidarity with the Honorable Minister of Justice, Ms. Nathalie Tackling. Together, we stand in unison, committed to upholding justice and safeguarding the rule of law in service of the people of St. Maarten.

Happy Justice Week to all.