PHILIPSBURG:--- The Court of First Instance delivered its verdict on Thursday, November 20, in a criminal case involving the grooming and rape related to two underage victims. The defendant, R.K., was convicted of grooming and rape of one minor and acquitted of the remaining charges.
In its ruling, the Court found that the evidence presented, including digital communication and supporting witness statements, was sufficient to establish culpability for grooming and sexually exploiting the minor.
The sentence was issued in line with the prosecution’s demand. The Court imposed a 4-year prison sentence, of which one year is suspended, with a 3-year probation period. The conditional part of the sentence includes supervision and behavioural conditions aimed at reducing the risk of reoffending.
The Prosecutor’s Office emphasizes that protecting the most vulnerable, especially minors, is a fundamental duty of the justice system.
The Court also awarded financial compensation to the victim. R.K. has been ordered to pay US $1,792 in material damages and XCG 20,000 in immaterial damages, both of which will accrue statutory interest from May 31, 2025 until full payment. A compensation measure was imposed, meaning the country (read government) may advance the payment and recover the amount from the defendant if he fails to comply.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The General Audit Chamber published its report “Performance Audit on the Building Permit Process”, reviewing how building permit applications are handled and whether the current process supports efficiency, legal compliance, and integrity. The audit responds to long-standing public concerns about delays, inconsistent decisions, and allegations of undue influence. The findings confirm that these issues stem primarily from structural weaknesses in the system.

The audit shows that the Permit Department within the Ministry of VROMI works under challenging conditions. At the same time, the review identifies several structural issues that limit the effectiveness of the current process. The legal framework depends heavily on older legislation and non-binding policies, and an island-wide zoning plan has not yet been finalized through legislation.

The Audit Chamber observed that the workflow lacks a written process. Applications are logged digitally, yet processing and advisory steps continue to take place outside the system through manual and email-based exchanges, leaving room for improvement in centralizing information. This makes it difficult to monitor progress, manage workloads, or maintain a complete audit trail. Expert advice from entities such as the Fire Department and Inspection Department plays an essential role in maintaining public safety and infrastructure, but the absence of uniform procedures affects consistency.

During the investigation, the Audit Chamber also identified risks of fraud and undue influence arising from structural weaknesses in the system. The absence of written procedures, informal ways of consulting both applicants and external entities, lack of proper oversight, and the fact that deviations from the Minister's internal or expert advice do not require documentation create vulnerabilities that could be exploited. These risks are publicly raised and underscore the need for stronger governance.

Limited capacity adds to the problem. The Permits Department works with a small team, and the job functions do not require the technical qualifications needed for complex decisions. The Fire Department, which plays an important advisory role, had only one staff member handling all building permit requests at the time of the audit. These shortages contribute to backlogs, which can directly affect public safety.

To complement the audit work, a survey was conducted among persons and entities who submitted building permit applications between 2020 and 2024. While not representative, the Audit Chamber notes a response rate of 89 out of 269 (33%). Many respondents reported dissatisfaction with the current process, uncertainty about processing times, and that environmental consequences should play a more prominent role in the assessment process. A little under 10% of respondents reported being approached with an offer to expedite their application. While this result does not demonstrate systemic corruption, it suggests that such practices occur. Considering the sensitive nature of the question, the Audit Chamber notes that some respondents may have chosen not to disclose their experiences out of concern for repercussions. These findings suggest that integrity risks exist within the permitting process.

Given the outcome of the investigation, the General Audit Chamber strongly recommends modernizing the legal framework, introducing written procedures, regulating that deviations by the Minister are motivated, training staff, revising the function book to require domain-specific expertise, and automating the permitting process to improve consistency, traceability, and service to the public. Automation would also help establish an audit trail, provide management data, and allow applicants to track their applications in real time.

The full report is available on the website of the General Audit Chamber: www.arsxm.org

PHILIPSBURG:--- From 3 to 14 November, Sint Maarten hosted the third and final module of the Geographic Profiling training. With this final component completed, Sint Maarten has become the first jurisdiction within the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to complete the full training programme. The course was led by Bert Adriaens of Space Geographic Profiling Support, one of the most experienced geographic profilers in the Kingdom. Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling personally presented the certificates and expressed her appreciation for the participants’ commitment and the professional organization of the training.

Geographic Profiling is an analytical method that uses patterns in time and space to determine a likely area of offender activity. The method is based on the premise that offenders rarely move entirely at random; they select routes and locations based on routine patterns, knowledge of the area, and a desire to avoid risk. By systematically analyzing incident locations, investigators can narrow down search areas, identify links between cases, and focus investigative resources more effectively. This makes the method particularly valuable for island environments with limited surface area, complex road networks, and cross-border mobility. It enables law enforcement to interpret offender behavior more quickly and deploy personnel and resources more efficiently.

During the module, participants worked on a cold case investigation and analyzed a series of recent robberies on the island. The practical, hands-on approach enabled immediate application of the methodology to a local context, resulting in concrete patterns and hypotheses that can further support investigations.

The training also included an interactive workshop for 18 police trainees. The students showed strong interest in the method, asking insightful questions from the start about how to integrate geographic insights into their daily police work. The trainer emphasized that these first responders play a vital role in gathering crucial information about escape routes, access points, and other spatial patterns that can be of significant value in later analysis.

Trainer Bert Adriaens, who has taught in many countries, highlighted how enriching it is to encounter new perspectives with each training. He reflected: “Wherever you are in the world, and whatever island you’re on, you’re always learning from others. My hope is to offer participants tools and experiences they can truly make their own.” He noted that he was once again impressed by how much can be achieved with limited resources. The dedication, involvement, and ingenuity of the participants left a strong impression on him.

With the completion of this training, Sint Maarten now has access to an internationally recognized method used in solving complex crimes. For law enforcement, this means a more accurate understanding of offender behavior, greater investigative focus, and improved ability to link cases. It provides the police with a powerful tool to act faster and more effectively against crime.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) informs the public of a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the violent armed robbery committed on Friday, October 17th, 2025, at approximately 1:30 p.m. at Ocean Jewelry inside the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Dawn Beach.

On Friday morning, November 21st, 2025, at about 9:30 a.m., KPSM officers conducted a operation in the Cole Bay area, resulting in the arrest of a male suspect with the initials T.O.R. This individual, who is employed by a parcel delivery company on Sint Maarten, was taken into custody in connection with a vehicle believed to have been involved in the armed robbery.

During the October incident, three masked individuals drove onto the hotel premises in a stolen black Kia Soul and entered the jewelry establishment while brandishing a firearm. They forcibly removed an undisclosed amount of jewelry before fleeing the area.

As part of the ongoing investigation, screenshots from surveillance footage have been released to the public to assist in identifying the suspects. Detectives are still seeking additional witnesses and information relevant to the case.

Even small pieces of information may prove vital. The Police Force urges anyone who observed suspicious activity or who can identify individuals from the released images to contact investigators immediately.

Members of the public with information are encouraged to call the Police Force of Sint Maarten at +1 721-542-2222, the anonymous Tip Line 9300, or visit the Philipsburg Police Station.

KPSM Press Release.