PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Police Force is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Ramon Javion Christophe SING, a 15-year-old male who has been reported missing. He is a student at the Sint Maarten Vocational School and was last seen on Sunday, September 15th, 2024, at approximately 8:00 AM in the Sucker Garden area.

Description of the Missing Minor:
Name: Ramon Javion Christophe SING,
Age: 15 years old
Skin Complexion: Brown
Last Seen Wearing: Sky-blue shirt and black pants

Ramon Javion Christophe SING, was last seen in the Sucker Garden area on the morning of Sunday, September 15th 2024. He has not been heard from since, and the family is deeply concerned for his safety.

If anyone has any information regarding the whereabouts of Ramon Javion Christophe SING, you are urgently requested to contact the Sint Maarten Police Force at +1 721-542-2222 or reach out to his family via the following numbers:

Mother: +1 721-523-3094
Aunt: +1 721-556-6630
We also appeal directly to Ramon Javion Christophe SING, if you are reading this, please reach out to your mother or aunt as soon as possible. Your family is concerned and wants to ensure your safety.

Public Cooperation:
We urge the community to share this information and to be vigilant. Any leads or information, no matter how small, can assist us in locating Ramon and ensuring his safe return.

Contact Information: Sint Maarten Police Force
Phone: +1 721-542-2222

KPSM Press Release.

PHILIPSBURG:--- "If you have administrative challenges, fix them, but do not punish the people of St. Maarten," says former Minister of Health MP Omar E.C. Ottley, who has sounded the alarm on the closure of the Huisarts Post (HAP) Diagnostic Centre program, in Simpson Bay, an essential healthcare service providing non-emergency medical care to thousands of Sint Maarten residents and visitors. The HAP's closure was announced today, Monday, September 16, 2024, via local media and has sparked a wave of frustration and concern throughout the community and on social media platforms.
MP Omar Ottley, who has been vocal about the government's unwillingness to continue successful and much-needed projects initiated by previous administrations, expressed deep concerns over this latest turn of events. He emphasized that the closure of the HAP Diagnostic Centre is a direct attack on the social and healthcare fabric of Sint Maarten, particularly for those residents who cannot afford private medical care. The present Minister of VSA, Veronica Jansen-Webster, says the shutdown stems from administrative issues and concerns over patients returning to the St. Maarten Diagnostic Centre the day after being seen at HAP rather than following up with their general practitioners.
However, MP Otley said, "The government must serve its people and provide essential services, especially healthcare." "The HAP was established to address a critical gap in our healthcare system. Its closure not only puts undue strain on the SMMC but will also force thousands of residents to endure long wait times while compromising the quality of patient care."
Prior to the HAP being established, residents complained on a weekly basis about the challenges faced when trying to get urgent non-emergency medical care at the SMMC.
The project was approved and implemented under the leadership of former Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA) and current Member of Parliament, the Honourable Omar E.C. Ottley. It successfully alleviated the strain on SMMC's emergency services by providing non-emergency medical care during after-hours. The Diagnostic Centre in Simpson Bay saw over 7,000 visits in its first year, 83% of which were SZV-insured patients, with the remaining 17% comprised of tourists and non-residents. Since its inception, the HAP has garnered immense praise for its efficiency, short wait times (less than 15 minutes), and exceptional patient satisfaction.
"This project was a game-changer, allowing residents to access medical care after hours and significantly reducing the strain on the ER, "Ottley emphasizes. The overwhelming popularity of the service underscores its necessity. The closure of HAP is not a sustainable solution, given its proven success and the pressing need for it to remain operational. The decision has left many on social media platforms questioning whether the government truly prioritizes public health.
According to MP Ottley, the proper course of action would have been to evaluate and refine the program, especially considering the overwhelmingly positive feedback from residents and healthcare professionals. He explained that for many, the shutdown of HAP means an inevitable return to overcrowded emergency rooms, longer wait times and a decrease in the overall quality of healthcare available on the island. Healthcare workers at SMMC, already dealing with staffing shortages, now face the prospect of handling non-emergency cases that the HAP could have managed. Residents who relied on the centre for timely care are now left with limited options, and those who cannot afford private medical services will suffer the most, especially those who were able to seek care after they finished work for non-emergency urgent medical care needs.
"This decision will lead to a public health crisis," Ottley warned. He urged the Minister of Social Health to reconsider, stating, "Continuity in government, especially regarding successful social and healthcare programs, is crucial. Ending the HAP service is reckless and irresponsible, particularly when proven to work."
The closure also raises concerns for the island's tourism industry, as the centre also provided healthcare services to non-residents. "If even one tourist has a negative experience due to the lack of accessible healthcare, that's one too many," Ottley cautioned.

PHILIPSBURG:---The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is again calling on all owners of scooters and motorcycles that have been confiscated due to non-compliance with traffic laws and other regulations to take immediate action to reclaim their vehicles. These impounded vehicles have been stored at police headquarters for an extended period of time.

While it may seem that these types of announcements are repetitive, it is important to emphasize that this is part of the process of good governance. KPSM remains committed to transparency and ensuring that the public is well-informed and provided with the necessary opportunities to resolve these matters. Through these notifications, vehicle owners are given ample time to take action, recover their property, and avoid the permanent forfeiture of their vehicles.

To retrieve your scooter or motorcycle, owners are required to present the following documents:

• Proof of ownership
• Valid insurance
• A driver's license for the appropriate category
• Payment of road taxes
• A valid inspection card, as mandated by law

Failure to reclaim your vehicle within a reasonable timeframe may result in permanent forfeiture, with KPSM reserving the right to dispose of unclaimed vehicles, including the possibility of having them destroyed.

Owners are urged to act promptly to avoid the loss of their property. For assistance or to arrange the release of your vehicle, please contact KPSM at 54-22222.

KPSM remains committed to promoting traffic safety and ensuring compliance with all road regulations. We appreciate the public's cooperation in maintaining safety and order on Sint Maarten's roads.

KPSM Press Release.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On September 16, 2024, at approximately 6:00 am, the Detective Department of the Sint Maarten Police Force KPSM, in collaboration with personnel from the Prosecutor’s Office and other law enforcement agencies, arrested a suspect with initials L.L.A., in connection with an ongoing fraud investigation.

The suspect was arrested at her residence in Dawn Beach and is now being held at the police station in Philipsburg for further questioning.

Following the arrest, law enforcement searched the residence. Several items vital to the investigation were confiscated.

L.LA’s administrative office in Philipsburg was also searched by law enforcement.

KPSM urges anyone who may have complaints or information about this fraud case to report it to the Detective Department in Philipsburg. Public assistance is invaluable in ensuring a thorough and successful investigation.

KPSM and the Prosecutor’s Office remain committed to addressing fraudulent activities and ensuring those involved are brought to justice.

KPSM Press Release.