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. 

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport has completed Week Two of its Conflict Resolution Training (CRT) pilot, marking a major milestone as the initiative expanded beyond educator development to directly engage first-form students and their parents. The project, led by the Division for Educational Innovation (DEI), continues to strengthen the island’s response to school-based conflict and youth well-being by building shared tools, language, and practices across entire school communities.
This programme responds to the documented rise in adolescent conflict, including peer aggression, bullying, intimidation, and emotional dysregulation, highlighted in recent UNICEF and Court of Guardianship reports. By equipping teachers, students, and families with practical strategies, the CRT pilot aims to cultivate safer learning environments, improve relational trust, and create a unified culture of peace throughout participating schools.
Building on Week One’s educator training, Week Two shifted focus toward those most affected by school conflict: students and their families. The sessions were facilitated by regional Social Impact & Grant Strategy Specialist Mr. Kwasi Cudjoe and Caribbean Associates for Life Skills, Mediation and Management Director Mr. Marlon Bascombe. Their combined expertise grounded the work in global best practices tailored to St. Maarten’s unique social and cultural realities.
First-form students participated in a series of hands-on sessions designed to strengthen self-regulation, improve communication skills, and build peer leadership capacity. Through role-plays, small-group challenges, and guided reflection, students practiced applying Nonviolent Communication (NVC) stems, identified common conflict triggers, and explored healthy ways to interrupt escalation. Educators observing the sessions noted a notable shift in student participation, with several expressing surprise at the depth of insight students offered during dialogue activities. Week Two also featured a dedicated Parent Engagement Session, facilitated by Mr. Cudjoe. Parents explored the factors shaping adolescent behaviour and reflected on communication habits that may unintentionally increase stress or conflict. Many parents expressed appreciation for learning simple, practical tools they could use at home to reinforce school-based practices.
As the CRT pilot moves into its next phase in 2026, parents, students and educators will continue collaborating to strengthen alignment between home and school systems and reinforce shared responsibility for youth well-being and deepen the visibility of peace-building routines across the pilot schools. With momentum building across all levels of the school community, the CRT pilot continues to lay the foundation for long-term transformation. The initiative is part of a multi-year effort supported through 2026, drawing on the expertise of consultants and educators to build safer and more emotionally supportive schools. The Division for Educational Innovation remains committed to advancing school climate, strengthening student well-being, and equipping St. Maarten’s youth with the skills necessary to thrive in both their learning environments and daily lives.

We were extremely impressed with the large number of parents, including fathers and grandfathers, who attended and participated in the Parents’ sessions organized on Thursday, December 4, and Friday, December 5, 2025. Both sessions were very interactive, as the trainers provided opportunities for parents to share their experiences. We would like to thank the schools’ management for encouraging parents to attend the sessions. We extend a special thank you to all parents and grandparents who came out,” said Ms. Oralie Boirard, Manager of the Division for Educational Innovation (DEI).

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of TEATT, through its Department of Economic, Transportation & Telecommunication (ETT), successfully hosted St. Maarten’s inaugural Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries (ALF) Expo on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the University of Sint Maarten. Held from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, the Expo drew a strong and diverse crowd,  from entrepreneurs and educators to seasoned farmers, investors, and families, all eager to discover opportunities within this emerging sector.

What began as a policy approved in 2022 has now progressed into a clear and organized national movement, demonstrating the country’s readiness to pursue food security and economic diversification with intention.

Presenters Leading the Shift in St. Maarten’s ALF Sector

The Expo featured powerful presentations from sector leaders, beginning with:

Shervin Frederick, Acting Department Head (ETT) – Sector overview and ALF Expo 2025 Status Apdate

Wendy Jack, Policy Advisor – Presentation on the current state and future of the Fisheries Sector in St. Maarten

Sabrina Brismeur, Nature Foundation – The environmental and sustainable landscape of fisheries

Vanessa Mattew, Policy Advisor (ETT) – Advancement of Hydroponics Programs in Schools

Mr. Ajit Persaud – Coordinator of the Hydroponics Program for Catholic Schools

Rose Poraan-Fleming, Senior Policy Advisor (ETT) – Developing a sustainable poultry industry for the island

A key highlight of the evening was the update from Mr. Ajit Persaud and his colleagues, who shared the success of hydroponics across schools — made possible through the Green Overseas Train-the-Trainer Program. This initiative has:

Positively redirected troubled youth

Taught students entrepreneurial skills, from preparing produce for sale to calculating prices.

Allowed children to benefit directly from what they grow.

Demonstrated SKOS as a model of how agriculture can be reintegrated into education effectively.

Stakeholders & Vendors Reflect Growing Industry Momentum

In addition to presenters, the Expo featured a strong lineup of vendors and partners offering guidance and resources essential to building a modern ALF sector. Attendees connected with:

Qredits, represented by Mr. Oliver Williams

SEDC, represented by Pearl Hendrickson and her team

Arrowroot Farms, represented by Mr. Josiah Halley

Nutramix, represented by Mr. Desmond Brown

Mr. Henk Lake, Supplier of Chicks & Feed

Ms. Merlyn Harrigan, Hobbyist Farmer

Their support reflects the full ecosystem required to grow this sector,  from funding and training to supplies, feed, and community-driven production.

Why ALF Matters Now More Than Ever

During her remarks, the Minister of TEATT grounded the audience in the real urgency behind building the ALF sector:

“We import nearly everything we eat. When the world sneezes… St. Maarten catches the flu,” she said, sparking warm laughter across the room.

“Developing our Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries sector is not just economic strategy,  it is national security. It reduces dependency, keeps more money at home, and opens new opportunities for families. The energy in this room tonight proves that the people of St. Maarten are ready for these opportunities.”

The Minister also acknowledged the crucial support received to date, including the upcoming DCALFA Annual Conference in 2026, which Sint Maarten will host, and the Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) now en route thanks to the assistance from Prime Minister Pisas of Curaçao.

A Movement Takes Shape : With More To Come

Acting Department Head Shervin Frederick offered heartfelt closing remarks:

“This has been long in the making, and based on the turnout, we can clearly see the interest in learning more and exploring what this industry offers. This is just the beginning. The Department, the Ministry, and our partners will continue working to ensure ALF becomes a real pillar of diversification for St. Maarten. I thank my team for their support in making this happen and the Minister for championing our vision. For anyone seeking more information, please reach out to the Department.”