PHILIPSBURG:--- On Thursday morning, October 23, 2025, a traffic accident involving a scooter and a motor vehicle occurred on A.J.C. Brouwers Road near the entrance of a hardware store. The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) responded promptly to the scene following several emergency calls received by Central Police Dispatch just before 8:00 a.m.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the scooter rider was traveling from the Church Hill roundabout toward Cole Bay and attempted to overtake several vehicles. At that time, the driver of a gold-colored Toyota was making a left turn into the hardware store’s parking area, resulting in the scooter colliding with the driver’s side of the vehicle.

The scooter rider sustained injuries of an unknown nature. It was treated on the scene by ambulance personnel before being transported to the Sint Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) for further medical care.

The KPSM Traffic Department is currently investigating the accident to determine the exact circumstances.

KPSM reminds all road users to exercise caution at all times, especially during busy morning hours. Scooter riders are urged to avoid overtaking in unsafe conditions and always to wear proper safety gear. Road safety is a shared responsibility — stay alert and help prevent accidents.

KPSM Press Release.

PHILIPSBURG:--- A visiting tourist was robbed Wednesday evening in front of the Horizon View Hotel on Front Street, in the heart of Philipsburg, while waiting for friends to take him out to dinner.

According to witnesses, the visitor was standing near the hotel entrance shortly after sunset when an unknown individual approached and forcibly took personal belongings before fleeing the area. The incident left nearby business owners and shoppers visibly shaken.

Local merchants say the robbery highlights a troubling trend of increased street crime in Philipsburg’s main commercial zone — a concern that has been growing over recent months.

“It’s extremely discouraging,” said one store owner who witnessed the commotion. “This is the center of our tourism industry, and it keeps happening right in front of our businesses.”

Several business operators along Front Street say they now close earlier and have increased private security measures to protect staff and visitors.

“People come here to enjoy themselves, not to be afraid,” said another merchant. “Incidents like this are bad for everyone — the hotels, the shops, and the reputation of St. Maarten as a safe vacation spot.”

Shoppers nearby expressed frustration that the situation appears to be worsening, even in well-lit, busy areas.

“It could have been any of us,” one resident said. “It’s time for serious action before the town loses its appeal completely.”

As the high tourism season approaches, business owners say they hope for swift measures to restore safety and confidence in Philipsburg’s downtown area — once considered one of the island’s safest and most vibrant destinations.

Robbery Outside Front Street Hotel

Police are investigating a robbery that happened on Wednesday evening right in front of a hotel on Front Street.

Around 7:00 p.m. on October 22nd, Central dispatch received several calls about a robbery at the hotel entrance on Front Street. According to the preliminary investigation, a gray SUV pulled up to the hotel entrance, and a male suspect with a face covering jumped out and went straight to the male victim, who was standing having a conversation with the security outside the hotel.

The robber pulled out a gun and grabbed the victim’s gold chain. There was a short struggle between them, but the armed suspect managed to rip a gold chain off the victim's neck. The suspect ran back to the gray SUV, and they took off, heading toward Emma-plein.

Detectives from the Special Unit Robberies (SUR) are currently investigating this incident.

KPSM urges anyone who may have witnessed the robbery or has information that could assist in identifying the suspect or the vehicle involved to contact the Police Force of Sint Maarten at +1 (721) 542 2222 ext. 204 or 205. Anonymous tips can also be shared via the KPSM tip line at 9300, or in case of emergency, call 911.

If you see something, say something.

KPSM Press Release.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Court of First Instance has ruled in the forfeiture claim (“ontnemingsvordering”) filed by the Prosecutor’s Office Sint Maarten (OM SXM) against former Member of Parliament A.A. 

In its ruling of October 22, 2025, the Court found there were sufficient indications that A. had both bought votes during the January 2024 parliamentary elections and committed perjury when taking the oath of office before the Governor. However, the Court determined that the salary and transitional allowances (“wachtgeld”) A. received as a Member of Parliament could not be considered illegally obtained profit (“wederrechtelijk verkregen voordeel”), since he had actually performed his parliamentary duties for a time. The Court therefore denied the OM’s forfeiture request.

The case concerns the financial benefits A. received after being elected to Parliament. The Prosecutor’s Office, acting under Article 1:77 of the Penal Code, had sought confiscation of XCG 168,189.58 in salary and allowances, arguing that these payments represented unlawful benefits gained as a direct result of vote buying and perjury linked to his election and swearing-in.

The Prosecutor’s Office does not agree with the Court’s reasoning. The OM considers that, because the vote buying and perjury were directly tied to A.’s election to Parliament, and therefore to his entitlement to salary and benefits, those payments should be regarded as unlawful proceeds of his crimes, and thus subject to forfeiture.

The Prosecutor’s Office will appeal the Court’s decision before the Common Court of Justice.

The underlying criminal conviction against A., handed down on January 8, 2025, for vote buying, also remains under appeal. In that case, A. was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and a six-and-a-half-year disqualification from holding public office or participating in elections.

OM SXM reiterates its commitment to upholding integrity in public office and ensuring that no one profits from corruption or deceit in the democratic process.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Finance, Hon. Marinka J. Gumbs, wishes to provide an update on the recent developments regarding the Budget Amendment for 2025 and the ongoing preparation of the Draft Budget for 2026.

The Minister confirms that the Council of Ministers (COM) has officially approved the Budget Amendment for the year 2025. This amendment reflects updates to the national budget to better align with the country’s current economic realities and recent financial developments. It incorporates adjustments related to both revenue performance and expenditure allocations, ensuring that the Government of Sint Maarten remains on track to meet its financial and developmental commitments for the remainder of the fiscal year.

The Budget Amendment 2025 has been submitted to the Committee for Financial Supervision (CFT) for its Article 11 advice, in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Kingdom Law on Financial Supervision (Rft). This process forms part of Sint Maarten’s commitment to sound financial management, fiscal transparency, and compliance with the applicable budgetary framework under the Rft.

As it pertains to the Draft Budget for the year 2026, the Ministry of Finance is currently still in the drafting phase. The objective is to have the 2026 budget approved by the Council of Ministers in November 2025 and subsequently submitted to both the CFT for Article 11 review and subsequently to Parliament for debate and approval.

Minister Gumbs reaffirmed that the Ministry of Finance remains committed to strengthening Sint Maarten’s fiscal position, enhancing efficiency within the public sector, and supporting initiatives that contribute to sustainable economic growth and improved public services.

Further updates will be provided as both the 2025 Budget Amendment and 2026 Draft Budget progress through their respective review and approval stages.