PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is currently investigating a shooting that occurred on Thursday, March 26th, 2026, in the Dutch Quarter.

At approximately 11:50 AM, Central Dispatch received multiple reports of a shooting in the Dutch Quarter. While patrol units were en route to the location, Dispatch was informed that the victim had already been transported to the Sint Maarten Medical Center (SMMC).

Detectives were immediately directed to the SMMC, where preliminary information revealed that the victim had been shot in the arm following an argument with another male suspect.

The victim’s injuries are not considered life-threatening at this time.

KPSM takes this opportunity to remind the public of the serious dangers associated with the use and possession of illegal firearms. Disputes can quickly escalate into violent incidents with potentially fatal consequences.

In this regard, KPSM continues to encourage the public to make use of the ongoing Gun Amnesty Project, which provides individuals the opportunity to voluntarily surrender illegal firearms without fear of prosecution. Removing illegal weapons from our communities is a critical step toward enhancing public safety.

Detectives are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident. Further details will be provided as the investigation progresses.

The Police Force of Sint Maarten urges anyone with information about this incident to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Joint Court of Justice has convicted a ZYTO practitioner, Fernando Clark on three counts of sexual assault committed during professional consultations. The conviction follows an earlier acquittal by the Court of First Instance, against which the Prosecutor’s Office filed an appeal.

The Court found that Fernando Clark engaged in non-consensual sexual acts with clients while acting in his capacity as a practitioner. In doing so, he abused the position of trust inherent in the therapeutic relationship.

The Court also applied the concept of “linking evidence” (schakelbewijs), meaning that the separate complaints were not assessed in isolation but in relation to one another. Because the accounts showed strong similarities in the nature of the conduct and the circumstances under which it occurred, the Court considered each incident as supporting evidence for the others. In this way, the consistency across the different reports helped establish the facts.

Fernando Clark was sentenced to a six-month prison term, fully suspended, with a three-year probation period. In addition, the Court imposed a 120-hour community service sentence (with 60 days' imprisonment if not completed) and disqualified him from practicing his profession for a period of three years.

In its judgment, the Court emphasized the seriousness of the offenses, noting that the acts occurred in a professional setting where clients should feel safe and protected. By crossing those boundaries, the defendant violated the physical integrity of the victims and undermined trust in professional care providers.

The Prosecutor’s Office considers it of great importance that individuals in positions of trust are held accountable when that trust is abused. Cases such as this underline the need to safeguard professional integrity and protect clients from misconduct.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On March 26, 2026, the Court of First Instance in Sint Maarten delivered a landmark verdict in the high-profile corruption case against Christophe Theodore Emmanuel. The court found the former Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (VROMI) guilty of multiple severe offenses. These crimes include bribery, fraud, and abuse of his official power. The judge handed him a 29-month prison sentence and stripped him of his right to hold public office for five years.

The trial focused on Emmanuel's actions during his tenure as minister from December 2016 to January 2018. Prosecutors outlined a system where he traded government favors for money. The court acquitted him of several specific charges, including alleged bribes related to a particular permit and the "Flag Project," because the evidence did not fully establish a direct link. However, the judge found overwhelming evidence for most of the corruption charges.

The evidence showed us a clear pattern of manipulation. The court proved that Emmanuel accepted bribes from a co-defendant, Dijkhoffz. They secretly referred to these payments as "mangoes" in their WhatsApp messages. In exchange for this money, Emmanuel rigged the government's building permit process. He sped up certain applications, delayed competing projects, and leaked confidential government documents. The court stated that Emmanuel and his associate intentionally abused their positions as ministers to secure these illegal financial payouts.

Furthermore, the court convicted Emmanuel of committing fraud with public recovery projects immediately after Hurricane Irma. When the island desperately needed legitimate rebuilding efforts, Emmanuel bypassed standard government bidding rules. He awarded lucrative repair contracts, such as the Prince Bernhard Bridge project, to a specific company before any official competitive bidding took place. He and his associates then created fake bids from a shell company to make the corrupt process look legal.

This verdict carries deep implications for public trust and governance in Sint Maarten. When leaders misuse their power, they erode the foundation of our democratic institutions. The judge highlighted the severe damage this corruption caused to the nation. The ruling clearly stated, "The defendant, as the former Minister of VROMI, is guilty of (co-perpetrating) abuse of office, fraud, and accepting bribes."

The court emphasized how these crimes hurt the community. The ruling noted, "The actions of the defendant also have an undermining influence on society as a whole and also cause serious damage to the image of the Country of Sint Maarten."

By handing down a prison sentence and removing his right to run for office or work as a civil servant for five years, the court took a firm step toward restoring integrity. The decision shows that the justice system will hold public officials accountable when they violate the law and betray the trust of the people they serve.

Click here to view the verdict delivered today, March 26th, 2026.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Student Support Services Division (SSSD) recently hosted a ten-member delegation of school safety professionals from Antigua & Barbuda, Anguilla, and St. Lucia. During their week-long visit, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Honorable Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sport, Ms. Melissa Gumbs, as well as the Acting Secretary General, Mrs. Shermina Powell-Richardson.

The purpose of the visit was to gain insights into St. Maarten’s school safety program, coordinated by the Student Support Services Division. During the week, the delegates observed a medical emergency drill at the Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School and visited the 2024 Safety & Emergency Team (SET) of the Year: Sister Borgia School. These visits were met with great enthusiasm, and the delegation was impressed with the high school safety standards.

Particular commendation was given for the quality of the drill, the response of the school, and the meaningful involvement of the students (schools safety ambassadors) in the drill. The delegation also praised the chairperson of the Sister Borgia School SET for her professionalism and clarity in explaining the structure and functioning of the SET as well as the overall organization of school safety at the campus.

Throughout the week, the delegation participated in training sessions led by Mrs. Olga Mussington-Service, Manager of the Student Support Services Division and School Safety Focal Point for St. Maarten. “Although the delegates were here to get insight into our school safety practices, including how we address mental health and psychosocial support, they also shared their experiences. The exchange was mutually enriching and highly constructive, Mussington-Service said.

On the final day of the visit, there was a best practice exchange, during which all four countries delivered presentations on key school safety issues in their respective countries. Topics included violence in and around schools, school safety policies, bullying, and strategies to mitigate school-related violence. These areas were intentionally selected by Mrs. Mussington-Service as they represent shared regional challenges that benefit from coordinated approaches and collaboration.

The delegates described the training week as both impactful and energizing, and some even expressed that they are leaving inspired because of the passion and expertise of the school safety team at SSSD.

St. Maarten was the Chair of the Caribbean Safe School Initiative from 2022 to 2025. Mrs. Mussington-Service was the Technical Chair and led regional coordination efforts during that period. In this capacity, she also facilitated a formal handover exchange with the current CSSI Technical Chair, Saint Lucia.

During the CSSI Ministerial Forum in May 2025, where the CSSI chairmanship was officially transferred from the Hon Minister of Education, Culture Youth and Sport, Ms. Melissa Gumbs to the Honorable Minster of Education of St. Lucia, St. Maarten was asked to participate in a best practice showcase. This showcase, facilitated by Mrs. Mussington-Service, was the catalyst for Antigua & Barbuda contacting St. Maarten and requesting the working visit. They were later joined by Anguilla and St. Lucia.

The visit underscores one of the core objectives of the Caribbean Safe School Initiative, which is to bring Caribbean countries together to share ideas, best practices and experiences, and support each other in the best interest of local Caribbean communities and the wider region.