PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) continues its efforts to combat violent crime and remove illegal firearms from the streets. As part of these ongoing efforts, officers arrested a suspect on the evening of Thursday, March 12, 2026, who was believed to be involved in a series of armed robberies that had taken place across the island.

At approximately 8:30 PM, during a routine traffic control operation on A.Th. Illidge Road, officers stopped a vehicle for further control. While verifying the occupant's identity, officers discovered that the individual was the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant. The suspect, identified by the initials M.M.M.S., was immediately taken into custody.

The individual is suspected of being involved in several armed robberies, including a robbery that occurred at a hotel in the Oyster Pond area on January 16, 2026.

Following the arrest, officers searched the vehicle the suspect had been traveling in. During this search, officers discovered a firearm along with hollow-point ammunition inside the vehicle. Both the weapon and the ammunition were confiscated and will form part of the ongoing investigation.

The suspect remains in police custody, pending further investigation.

KPSM takes this opportunity to once again warn the public about the serious dangers posed by illegal firearms within the community. The presence and use of such weapons continue to contribute to acts of violence and place innocent lives at risk.

KPSM also reminds the public that the Inter-Insular Gun Amnesty Program, commonly referred to as the Gun Buyback Project, is currently taking place across the Dutch Caribbean islands. Persons who are in possession of illegal firearms are strongly encouraged to voluntarily surrender these weapons. Turning in a firearm can help prevent violence and may save lives.

Anyone with information regarding illegal firearms or criminal activity is encouraged to contact the KPSM Tip Line at 9300. Information can be shared anonymously and may help police keep the community safe.

PHILIPSBURG:--- A concerned citizen has raised questions after reviewing two payment receipts issued on March 5, 2026, for transactions made to the Government Administration Building and the Chamber of Commerce of Sint Maarten. The receipts, submitted to SMN-News, show successful payments but include the puzzling reference “Government St. Maarten Sacramento US.”

The payments, totaling USD 1,581.92 for a government transaction and USD 15.82 for a 1% license fee, have raised concerns that government funds are being routed abroad.

 However, SMN-News understands that the issue is not linked to any bank processing error or point-of-sale terminal malfunction. Instead, it appears to stem from the financial management system used by the Government of Sint Maarten.

The system, implemented by Grant Thornton in collaboration with NetPro, a Curaçao-based technology company, reportedly generates the “Sacramento” reference as a result of its configuration. Sources indicate that the Ministry of Finance has been aware of the issue since January but has yet to resolve it. Officials confirm that the description is a system-generated anomaly and does not indicate that funds are being transferred abroad.

Despite assurances, the situation has raised public concerns about transparency and the accuracy of government financial systems. Observers emphasize that payment receipts for government transactions should clearly reflect that funds are processed within Sint Maarten, especially when involving entities like the Island Receiver.

The Ministry of Finance is expected to review and adjust the system configuration to ensure that future receipts accurately reflect the Government of Sint Maarten and do not include foreign geographic references. Citizens noticing irregularities on government receipts are encouraged to report them to the relevant authorities for investigation and correction.

THE NETHERLANDS:  On Thursday, March 12, 2026, Francio Guadeloupe officially accepted the position of KNAW Professor in the Public Anthropology of Kingdom Relations at the University of Amsterdam. In his powerful inaugural lecture, titled "Reweaving Dutch Caribbean Studies," Guadeloupe challenged traditional views of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. He urged a fresh look at how citizens actually live across the Atlantic, dedicating his address to his late friend and teacher, Rafael Sanchez.

Guadeloupe centers his research on the daily, lived realities of the Kingdom. He argues that the European Netherlands and the Caribbean islands are not separate worlds. Instead, they interweave constantly through culture, technology, and travel. Words from Papiamento, Caribbean snacks, and music mix naturally with the Dutch language and culture across both sides of the ocean.

A major theme of his speech was circular migration. Many people move back and forth between the islands and the Netherlands for work, family, or a change of pace. Guadeloupe highlighted the dual psychological connection these citizens share. He pointed out that rigid official census categories, which often label people simply as "Caribische Nederlander," fail to capture this rich, complex reality.

He also addressed the environmental and social realities of this interconnectedness. While commercial flights and tourism bring families together, they also rely on fossil fuels and a heavily exploited labor force. He drew attention to the workers who keep the island tourist economies running, calling for an economically just and ecologically sustainable approach to Kingdom relations.

To explore these dynamics, Guadeloupe outlined four clear research lines for his professorship:

• The study of trans-Atlantic cultural and intellectual creators.

• The study of kinship and romantic relationships that span the ocean.

• The impact of Dutch tourism on both the Netherlands and the islands.

• The study of the workers and owners driving the means of production in these economies.

By focusing on what people actually do rather than the structures imposed upon them, Guadeloupe hopes to rethink the constitutional arrangement of the Kingdom. His ultimate goal, he explained, is to unweave and reweave the Kingdom of the Netherlands to help build a fairer, more equal world.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  The Collective Prevention Service (CPS) has taken note of a communique from the Anguilla Ministry of Health, Tourism & Sports with respect to the first locally acquired case of the West Nile Virus that has been identified in Anguilla in a 25-year-old resident.
As mentioned in the communique, there has been evidence of the virus circulating among birds, horses, and mosquitoes across the Caribbean since the early 2000s.
CPS has no reported cases of West Nile Virus and will continue to monitor the situation closely. The department uses this as an opportunity to remind the Sint Maarten community to inspect property for potential mosquito breeding sites, which can transmit other diseases such as Chikungunya, Zika, and Dengue.
The virus is most commonly transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito that has previously fed on infected birds, which serve as the virus's primary carriers in nature.
While many people infected with West Nile virus may not develop symptoms, CPS emphasizes the importance of prevention and awareness to reduce the risk of infection.
In humans, West Nile virus can cause symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Most individuals who become infected may experience no symptoms at all. However, about 1 in 5 people may develop a mild illness known as West Nile fever, which can include symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, nausea, or a skin rash. These symptoms typically appear within a few days to two weeks after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
In rare cases, the virus can lead to more serious neurological illness, including inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) or the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).
Severe symptoms may include high fever, neck stiffness, confusion, muscle weakness, tremors, seizures, or paralysis. Older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of developing severe complications.
CPS stresses that preventing mosquito bites is the most effective way to reduce the risk of West Nile virus infection. Residents are encouraged to use insect repellents containing approved active ingredients, wear long-sleeved clothing when outdoors, and ensure that doors and windows are properly screened to keep mosquitoes out of homes.
Another key preventive measure is eliminating standing water where mosquitoes can breed. Mosquitoes can lay eggs in small amounts of stagnant water found in containers such as buckets, flowerpots, tires, clogged gutters, or water storage containers. Residents are encouraged to check their yards regularly, especially after rainfall, to remove or empty any items that may collect water.
CPS will continue to monitor mosquito activity and provide guidance to the community. Residents who experience symptoms associated with West Nile virus, especially severe headaches, high fever, or neurological symptoms, are advised to seek medical attention promptly.
To report any concerns with mosquito breeding or for any assistance, contact CPS’ vector control team by phone +1(721) 520-4161, 542-1222/1570, or 914.
Vector control can also be contacted by email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.