PHILIPSBURG:---  The Government of Sint Maarten announces the official establishment of the National Child Protection Platform (NCPP), a national coordination mechanism designed to strengthen Sint Maarten's prevention and response to child abuse, neglect, exploitation, and other forms of harm to children. The establishment of the NCPP was facilitated by the Department of Youth (DoY) within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth & Sport (MECYS), in close collaboration with key partners from within the ministry as well as the ministries of Justice and Public Health, Social Development, and Labour.

The NCPP brings together the relevant ministries and key child protection partners on a single, structured platform to improve coordination, accountability, and action across the child protection system. Its focus is to ensure that children are safer, that support is easier to access, and that agencies work together more effectively when concerns arise.

The NCPP will focus on practical system improvements, including:

1. Improving coordination and case-response pathways between agencies and service providers;
2. Supporting national safeguarding approaches (including guidance, implementation support, and compliance monitoring where applicable);
3. Strengthening prevention initiatives, public awareness, and child safety education;
4. Advising on policy and legislative alignment to ensure the child protection system is clear and effective; and
5. Tracking implementation progress through structured reporting and follow-up actions.

 The NCPP will be led by two key bodies:

• Child Protection Steering Committee (CPSC): Responsible for strategic and managerial oversight, governance, and advocacy for child protection policies and initiatives, and for guiding national priorities.
• Child Protection Working Group (CPWG): Responsible for operational coordination, implementation of strategies, the development of annual work plans, and strengthening collaboration among child protection service providers.

In line with meaningful youth participation, the NCPP will be supported by a Youth Sounding Board to provide guidance on youth-related child protection matters.

 The Government would like to emphasize that child protection is a shared responsibility and requires strong collaboration between public institutions, community organizations, schools, care providers, and families.

Members of the public who suspect a child may be at risk are encouraged to report concerns through the appropriate channels and to seek guidance from relevant social support services.

Further information about the NCPP’s structure, participating entities, and implementation milestones will be shared as the work progresses.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Thursday, March 19, while in Aruba for Flag and Anthem Day, Minister of Justice Nathalie M. Tackling used the opportunity to engage with key border management partners and explore practical solutions to strengthen and modernize Sint Maarten’s systems.

As part of the visit, Minister Tackling, alongside Aruba’s Minister of Justice, the Honorable Mr. Arthur Dowers, toured the Immigration Department at Queen Beatrix International Airport, where the department marked its 57th anniversary. During the visit, the Minister received a detailed presentation on Aruba’s border control system, RADEX, to assess its functionality and explore opportunities to enhance its application in Sint Maarten.

Minister Tackling also met with officials from the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to gain insight into Aruba’s preclearance operations and integrated passenger processing systems. Discussions focused on advanced technologies such as APIS, ATS, TECS, Global Entry, and biometric screening, which support more efficient and secure passenger processing.

The visit also provided an opportunity to observe recent upgrades at the airport, including a fully automated central luggage-handling system designed to support streamlined operations in line with CBP standards. These systems, combined with integrated passenger screening processes, contribute to efficient passenger flow and reduced processing times.

The insights gained from this engagement will directly inform efforts to further strengthen Sint Maarten’s border management systems, enhance operational efficiency, and improve the overall travel experience while maintaining high security standards.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) informs the public that on Thursday, March 19, 2026, targeted traffic controls were conducted in response to ongoing issues with illegal scooters and unsafe behavior by some scooter riders on public roads.

These controls took place on A.J.C. Brouwers Road and L.B. Scott Road, areas where frequent complaints and the riders posed a serious risk to other road users.

During the operation, 18 scooter riders were stopped and inspected. As a result of these controls, 8 scooters were confiscated. These scooters were found to either lack the required legal documentation to operate on public roads or be deemed technically unfit and not roadworthy.

KPSM emphasizes that the use of illegal or unregistered scooters, as well as reckless riding, continues to negatively affect overall road safety across the island. These enforcement actions are part of ongoing efforts to address these concerns and ensure safer conditions for all road users.

The police would like to inform the public that such controls will continue in the coming period. Riders are urged to ensure that their vehicles meet all legal and technical requirements and to adhere strictly to traffic laws.

KPSM remains committed to maintaining public safety and calls on all road users to act responsibly at all times.

PHILIPSBURG: ---  In a major breakthrough, the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) announced the arrest of a Trinidad national, identified by the initials A.H., in connection with the fatal double shooting on Arlet Peters Road (Old Cake House Road) that left two individuals dead on March 2, 2026. This swift action followed a series of targeted house searches carried out across the island as part of the ongoing investigation. While A.H. remains in custody, authorities have revealed that the main suspect is still at large, and all suspects involved are believed to be from Trinidad. KPSM, working closely with the Prosecutor’s Office, continues to pursue multiple leads and expects additional arrests as the investigation progresses. The dead are Quincy Damon Sylvester, who operated a PVC business on St. Maarten, and American citizen Denisha Delancy.

The criminal underworld of Sint Maarten faces intense police scrutiny following the targeted murder of Quincy Damon Sylvester. The Trinidadian national, identified by sources as a prominent drug dealer, died alongside an American companion in a violent double shooting on Arlet Peters Road on March 2, 2026.

The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) continues to untangle a complex web of organized crime surrounding the attack. Sylvester reportedly used a legitimate-looking PVC pipe business as a front for his illicit drug operations. The fatal incident occurred when the vehicle carrying Sylvester and his companion was ambushed, causing it to topple over on Arlet Peters Road, also known as Old Cake House Road.

Surveillance footage recovered from the Nowhere Special nightclub indicates that unknown individuals heavily monitored Sylvester shortly before his death. This evidence strongly points to a carefully orchestrated hit.

Sylvester’s reach within the criminal underworld stretched far beyond local operations. Intelligence suggests he maintained close ties to the same illicit networks involved in the recent Plumpy Boss shooting. These connections highlight the deeply interconnected and violent nature of rival factions operating on the island.

The KPSM Major Crimes Team is actively pursuing multiple leads. On the day of the shooting, officers executed targeted house searches at several locations across Sint Maarten, gathering crucial evidence. While authorities arrested a Trinidad national identified by the initials A.H. on March 4, the main suspect remains at large. Police have confirmed that all suspects sought in connection with the case are from Trinidad. The investigation continues as investigators and the Prosecutor’s Office work to build a comprehensive case.

Law enforcement officials expect to make additional arrests in the near future as the investigation progresses steadily. However, authorities stress that public assistance remains critical to solving this case and curbing retaliatory violence.

The KPSM urges anyone with information about the Arlet Peters Road shooting or the broader criminal networks involved to come forward. Community cooperation plays a vital role in bringing the perpetrators to justice. You can contact the Police Force of Sint Maarten directly at +1 (721) 542-2222 or provide information anonymously by calling the tip line at 9300.