PHILIPSBURG:---Member of Parliament Sarah A. Wescot-Williams has written once again to Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, following up on her August 17, 2025, letter regarding GEBE’s governance, electricity relief, and consumer protection.

In her August correspondence, MP Wescot-Williams urged the government to urgently address the ongoing electricity and billing crisis by merging the findings of GEBE’s internal assessments with the government-commissioned relief report. She also called for the implementation of key measures such as:
• A means-tested social tariff for electricity and water;
• Temporary waiver of the concession fee to enable consumer relief; and
• Legislation to establish an independent electricity and water regulator to ensure transparency and protect consumers.

“Nearly three months later,” Wescot-Williams stated, “we have seen some developments, including Minister Brug’s announcement of a social relief initiative and GEBE’s senior relief plan. These steps are commendable, but they remain short-term fixes. The average consumer is still struggling with high bills, billing confusion, and no clear sense of when true stability will return.”

The MP reiterated that what is now required is a more sustainable and equitable approach, one that balances immediate social support with long-term affordability, governance, and accountability.

“Relief must go beyond temporary payments or discounts,” Wescot-Williams emphasized. “It should include proper tariff regulation, consumer protection, and transparency in how costs are calculated and passed on. Until we address those fundamentals, consumers will continue to bear the brunt of inefficiencies.”

The MP noted that GEBE remains a vital national utility and that respect for corporate governance principles must remain central to restoring public trust and operational stability.

“As I said in August, the focus must return to the real issue, affordable and reliable electricity for every household,” she said. “I therefore urge the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers to move beyond ad hoc relief and deliver a coherent, sustainable plan for energy security and consumer protection.”

MP Wescot-Williams reaffirmed her support for all efforts that genuinely ease the burden on residents, while calling for greater transparency, faster implementation, and lasting reforms to ensure fair and affordable utility services for the people of Sint Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Thursday, November 28, 2025, shortly after noon, members of the Special Robbery Unit of the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) arrested suspect E.Z.B. in connection with the armed robbery that took place on July 9th, 2025, at approximately 17:20, at Splash Jewelry located in the Simpson Bay Resort & Marina on Billy Folly Road #37.
The suspect is being investigated for his alleged involvement as part of a group believed to be responsible for this robbery. Detectives are continuing their investigation to determine the full extent of his role and to identify any additional suspects linked to the incident.
KPSM remains committed to ensuring community safety and will continue to pursue all individuals involved in criminal activities.

KPSM Press Release.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Police Force KPSM and the Prosecutor’s Office Sint Maarten OM SXM would like to thank to the public for their assistance and information concerning the suspicious yellow van involved in a violent armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 17 October 2025, at approximately 1:30 pm at Ocean Jewelry in J.W. Marriott Hotel in Dawn Beach. The suspect in the yellow van was apprehended.
During this incident on Friday, 17 October 2025, at approximately 1:30 pm, three masked individuals drove onto the premises and entered the establishment, brandishing a gun. Following that, the perpetrators fled the scene in a stolen black Kia Soul with an undisclosed amount of jewelry.
Law enforcement is still investigating, and with the public's help, we want to locate the other suspect(s) involved in this serious crime.
To support this effort, screenshots from surveillance video have been made public (in an earlier press release) for identification purposes. The goal is to find anyone who may have witnessed the robbery, but has not yet been questioned by police, including anyone who saw a possibly Red colored SUV (entering or leaving the area of Dawn Beach around 1:30pm and 2:00pm) or has any other information to come forward immediately.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the police station at 1721-54-22222 911, or the police anonymous tip line 9300, or visit the police station.
All information is valuable and can significantly help the investigation.

KPSM Press Release.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Backstreet Bonanza Organizing Team, in collaboration with the Backstreet Merchants and local vendors, is pleased to announce the 6th annual Backstreet Bonanza, taking place on Saturday, November 29, and Sunday, November 30, 2025. This highly anticipated two-day event will once again transform Backstreet into a vibrant hub of extended Black Friday deals, early Christmas shopping, live entertainment, and a variety of local vendors showcasing their products.

The event will run from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Saturday and from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sunday, offering residents and visitors ample time to enjoy the festivities. The public is encouraged to come out on both days, as some vendors will only be present for one of the two days, and you won’t want to miss the full experience.

Backstreet will be closed to through-traffic from 7:00 PM on Friday, November 28, and will reopen on Sunday, November 30 at 6:00 PM. Motorists are strongly advised not to park on Backstreet during this period, as any vehicle found parked in the restricted area will be towed.
A special highlight of the weekend will take place on Sunday at 2:00 p.m., when Santa Claus comes to town to spread holiday cheer and distribute gifts to children aged 0–12. Families are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy this festive moment.

The Backstreet Bonanza Organizing Team extends its appreciation to Flow, the main sponsor of this year’s event, for their generous support, as well as to the Ministry of TEATT for their continued collaboration. The Laser 101 team will provide an on-site live broadcast, keeping the community engaged with updates and entertainment.

The community is invited to come out and enjoy two days of safe, family-friendly fun, exciting deals, and vibrant holiday spirit. Join us on Saturday, November 29, and Sunday, November 30, as we celebrate the 6th anniversary of Backstreet Bonanza—bigger, brighter, and better than ever.