PHILIPSBURG – “I give clothes and food to the elderly man who lives here”, community police officer Arcella Leonard gestures towards a torn-down home. Within the demolished structure one can see a small room, no larger than 6 m2, which is fashioned from plywood, zinc and a bed sheet. Leonard is one of the eight community officers on the St. Maarten police force. Her assigned districts are Dutch Quarter and Belvedere. Both districts include some middle-class housing, mostly low-income housing and a few shack-areas. Photo caption: Elvis Jamanika of the National Dutch Police force and community officer Arcella Leonard patrol…
Author: The Publisher
PHILIPSBURG – Since the passing of Hurricanes Irma, Jose and Maria, The Rotary Club of Sint Maarten has spent its time, effort and financial resources with a direct focus on the children of Sint Maarten. According to the Rotary Club of Sint Maarten President, John Caputo, “It was a very conscious decision made by our Club after the hurricanes. We recognize that our children are the future of our island and the world, so it just seemed logical to focus on both the intermediate and long term needs of our students, knowing that much immediate term aid was available. We…
Harbour View – On December 22, 2017, the Governor of Sint Maarten, His Excellency drs. E.B. Holiday, requested the fraction leader of the Democratic Party, Mrs. Sarah Wescot-Williams, to finalize the formation of an interim government as formateur. After Mr. Meyers returned the commission to form a new government on December 20, 2017, the Governor held consultations on December 21 and 22, 2017 with Mr. Meyers, Mr. Brownbill and Mrs. Wescot-Williams. These consultations were a result of the declaration of October 29, 2017, signed by the United Peoples Party, Democratic Party and MP C.E. Brownbill to form a new Government,…
PORT ST. MAARTEN – Five cruise ships with over 10,000 cruise passengers and crew will be visiting the destination on Christmas and Boxing Day. The Marella Celebration and Independence of the Seas will be in port on Monday, December 25 and Grandeur of the Seas, Azamara Quest, and Jewel of the Seas will be in port on Tuesday, December 26. On Christmas Day there will be over 5,000 cruise passengers and crew visiting the destination and a similar number on Boxing Day. Port St. Maarten Management is calling on all stakeholders and the community to give the cruise ship guests…
Philipsburg –On March 9 & 10, 2018 SXM DOET will be back for its fourth year in a row. The SXM DOET team; Fleur Hermanides, Melanie Choisy and Laura Bijnsdorp are hoping the community comes out in full force for the largest volunteer event in the Kingdom. “There is no denying that as a nation we have endured a lot this year. With this in mind, we hope that everyone will utilize this great opportunity to make a change in our community.” Melanie Choisy states. The goal of SXM DOET is to ensure that locally existing organizations successfully execute a project,…
Philipsburg — The Chuchubi Foundation together with The American Protest Church of the Hague, Netherlands, have presented two donations to the St Maarten Home (Stichting Zorgverlening Wit Gele Kruis) and the St Maarten of Tours Catholic Church towards their Hurricane Irma relief program. This year in exchange of the Christmas Gift Project, which has been running for over 10 years, the Chuchubi Foundation felt it fitting to focus on the victims of Hurricane Irma. Every year, the Church organizes a fundraising bazaar in support of ministries and decided to assist St Maarten in this manner in the hurricane recovery efforts.…
The Hague — It is now possible to start immediately with the reconstruction of Sint Maarten. State Secretary Knops wrote this in a letter to the Second Chamber. Now that Sint Maarten has agreed to the establishment of an Integrity Chamber and the strengthening of border control by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee and the Dutch Customs, the two conditions that have been imposed on the reconstruction aid have been met. Via a bridging phase, the so-called early recovery, 7 million euros is immediately made available for projects that can start quickly and have a direct impact on the population. This…
Cole Bay — Mid Isle pulled off a feat this week. After hearing that Christmas gifts were needed for children at the ACE Foundation ‘All children’s Education Foundation School’, Mid Isle went into action. With less than 24 hours’ notice Mid Isle Rotarians purchased and wrapped the required number of gifts for children aged 3-8 years old. Along with this presentation were the items and goods that the Interact Club of St. Dominic’s’ High School had collected. Making the presentation were President Anjali, Secretary Denise and VP Vanesca of the Interact Club of SDHS. Photo caption: In photo Secretary Denise,…
Dutch Quarter — On Thursday December 21st at approximately 06.00 p.m. the first of several calls came into the Emergency Dispatch with the information that a shooting had just taken place in Dutch Quarter opposite the “West Indian Village”. Immediately several police patrols, Detectives, Crime Scene investigators and paramedics were sent to investigate what had taken place. On the scene the investigating officers located the victim who was bleeding from a wound to his upper left leg. The victim stated that he was shot by a man who after shooting him fled in a private car. The victim was treated…
As part of the continuing efforts to provide a safe environment for holiday shoppers the Police Force of Sint Maarten has commenced their annual Holiday Task Force initiative and is without any doubt doing its utmost, to protect you, your family and your property, in combating crime. The Public Relation Office of the Sint Maarten Police Force is therefore offering the entire community, the following safety tips, to help them prepare against crime. Remember the 3 A’s of Crime Prevention Be Aware of your surroundings at all times. Be Alert to suspicious people and vehicles. Avoid dangerous situations. If you…
