PHILIPSBURG:--- Every year, St. Maarteners celebrate SXM DOET Weekend, an initiative that started in the Netherlands over 20 years ago, inspiring the Dutch Caribbean islands to join shortly after. The various projects that take place over one weekend encourage people around the Netherlands and Dutch Caribbean islands to spend their time volunteering and giving back to the community.

This year, SXM DOET is taking it to another level by introducing initiatives aimed at the youth. The initiative comprises of two major projects that were uniquely designed to inspire the youth and give them a more active role in SXM DOET’s community-driven efforts. Both projects are being launched in December in honor of World Volunteer Day and World Soil Day. The first project is a youth internship program that focuses on providing St. Maarten’s youth with the opportunity to work alongside project coordinators to assist in designing initiatives to attract their peers to be more involved. The second project is a planting initiative that will be led by the Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) Foundation as part of their new restoration project. It focuses on youth participation and stresses local sustainability. EPIC’s new initiative will help restore and protect Sint Maarten’s Brown Pelicans and Least Terns while also improving habitat, including removing invasive plants and replacing native species. Furthermore, education is a key component of the initiative, and the project will feature free presentations for schools, businesses, and the general public, thereby aligning with SXM DOET’s new initiatives.

Youth Internship Program

The SXM DOET Youth Internship Program opens the opportunity for two young individuals between the ages of 12-20 to work as interns alongside SXM DOET’s four project coordinators. Together, they will make a strong team that works on introducing more youth-focused initiatives with values like volunteerism and environmental responsibility. Through this opportunity, the interns will gain experience in project management, content creation, community engagement, and environmental sustainability.

Planting Event

The Planting Event will take place on December 15 at Fort Amsterdam, Divi Resort, from 8 AM to 10:30 AM to commemorate World Volunteer Day. The event will showcase youth leadership and the profound impact that the youth can make on the community’s environment. During the event, participants will have the opportunity to plant over 60 juvenile cacti that were generously donated by Greenfingers; with all materials being provided, including a light snack and refreshments. Persons are encouraged to dress in active gear and bring along sunblock and a reusable bottle. If participants have any extra gloves and shovels it is encouraged to bring them along! Aside from volunteering, this is also a great opportunity to highlight the importance of youth involvement in environmental activities. Interested volunteers can register via Volunteer.sx.

Both the Youth Internship and the Cacti-Planting event are pivotal initiatives that help unite the youth and bring them closer to our island community. These participants will aid in developing the volunteer movement and SXM DOET’s overall foundation by displaying the opinions and values of the newer generations. When passion meets purpose, giving back to the community is what everyone sets their minds on. The Youth Internship Program and the Planting Event mentioned above are two initiatives that demonstrate the importance of caring for the environment and engaging in the community. So come out and support whenever you can because this is your island, and you can make a change!

PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Marine Trades Association (SMMTA) continues to actively engage with authorities to address the recent thefts in the Simpson Bay Lagoon. We are pleased to confirm that the situation has been brought to the attention of the prosecutor, who will be discussing it with the French authorities to ensure coordinated efforts on both sides of the island. A meeting involving all relevant parties, including the Coast Guard, police, and other security stakeholders, is scheduled to take place today or tomorrow to formulate a unified response.

In the meantime, immediate actions have already been implemented to enhance safety within the lagoon. Marinas have increased security measures, deploying extra patrols and maintaining 24/7 high-alert surveillance. A meeting has been initiated between the marinas in Simpson Bay and the community police and coastguard to discuss further safety enhancements. Additionally, the Coast Guard has ramped up patrols within the lagoon, offering further reassurance to boaters.

To further address community concerns, the SMMTA intends to organize a town hall meeting, inviting visiting cruisers, boat owners, business owners, and other stakeholders. This will provide an opportunity for attendees to hear directly from the authorities about their plans to maintain a safe environment, receive updates on the current situation, and ask any questions they may have. While we do not yet have a confirmed date, we are working to make this meeting happen by the end of the week. Details will be shared as soon as they are finalized.

We are awaiting an official public statement and update from the Coast Guard, police department, and prosecutor’s office (OM) following their discussions. The SMMTA will continue to share any further developments as they become available.

We commend the swift response from all parties involved and want to thank the community for their vigilance and cooperation during this time. These efforts underscore our commitment to maintaining St. Maarten as a safe and enjoyable destination for all.

Sincerely,

The SMMTA Board

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  Disaster Coordinator and Fire Commander Clive Richardson said that fire safety is important during the holiday season as families come together to celebrate.

There are a number of simple precautionary measures that households can put in place to prevent home fires in order to avoid injury to persons or damage to homes while members of the family and friends remain safe enjoying the holiday season.

Typical holiday season fires result from the Christmas trees, candles, and unattended cooking.

Take the following precautionary measures into consideration:
• Test your smoke alarms if you have one in your home.
• Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
• Place Christmas trees at least 3 ft. from any heat source.
• Water live Christmas trees on a regular basis (trees should have fresh green needles) and dispose of them safely within four weeks of setting them up.
• Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.
• Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
• Replace any string lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.
• Connect no more than three strands of mini light sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.
• Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
• Blow out lit candles when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Turn off all string lights before leaving home or going to bed.
Do not burn Christmas tree branches or wrapping paper.
• Keep children and pets away from lit candles.
• Stay in the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop.

The Fire Department management and staff wish everyone a happy, safe, and fire-free holiday season.

In the event of an emergency, call 919.

Arrest driving under the influence EUX
On Sunday, the 8th of December, around 6:40 PM, the central control room received a report of a collision between two vehicles on the B.H. Biesheuvelweg. Upon police arrival, they saw that one of the cars had collided with the other car. Following the policy requiring drivers to take a breathalyzer test after a collision, a breathalyzer test was administered to both drivers which revealed that the driver who caused the collision had consumed more than the permitted amount of alcohol. The 26-year-old woman with the initials S.N.F. was arrested and taken to the police station for a breath analysis. Following the result, she was issued a 5-hour driving ban.

Arrest assault with a weapon SABA
On Sunday, the 8th of December, around 3:35 AM, a 43-year-old woman with the initials J.S.R. was arrested on Peak Street on Saba for assault with a weapon, vandalism, and threat. The arrested suspect had an argument with a man during which both assaulted each other with a weapon. Upon police arrival, the two knives used in the assault were confiscated. Since the other party made an official report of the incident, the suspect was arrested and taken to the police station. Because the suspect was injured, she was taken by ambulance from the police station to the hospital for medical treatment. Investigation in the case is ongoing.

Arrests driving under the influence SABA
On Sunday, the 8th of December, around 2:25 AM, a 46-year-old man with the initials S.O.R.D. was arrested on Fort Bay Road on Saba on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. The arrest took place after a patrol gave the driver a sign to stop due to his suspicious driving behavior. The driver complied and stopped his vehicle. During the inspection, the driver was able to show a valid driver's license but showed several signs of someone under the influence of alcohol. Officers decided to administer a breathalyzer test to the suspect. He was explained several times how to blow on the device but did not do so properly and, moreover, did not cooperate. Only on the last attempt did he blow correctly. Nevertheless, the officers decided to take him to the police station for a breath analysis. The result of this confirmed that the suspect had been drinking alcohol, but not above the legally permitted amount of alcohol that a driver is allowed to consume.

On Friday, the 6th of December, around 10:10 PM, while a patrol was conducting an assist on Paris Hill Road in Saba, they saw a scooter approaching. The driver was not wearing a helmet and had a bottle of alcohol in his hands. The officers decided to stop the driver and check for valid documents. The driver complied with the sign to stop and had his documents in order. Since he was riding the scooter with a bottle of alcohol in his hand, a breathalyzer test was administered to him, which showed that he had consumed more than the permitted amount of alcohol. He was then arrested and taken to the police station for a breath analysis.

Scooter confiscated SABA
On Friday, the 6th of December, around 9:50 PM, a patrol on JZ Ridge Road in Saba spotted a woman riding a scooter in front of them without a helmet. The woman was known to the officers as she had received multiple warnings and fines for riding without a helmet. A stop sign was given, after which she stopped. During the inspection, it was found that she also could not show valid insurance papers. The scooter was confiscated and taken to the police station.

Fight ends in stabbing SABA
During the night hours on Friday, the 6th of December, a brawl took place near a catering establishment close to the Saba airport that ended in a stabbing. The victim was taken by means of a private car to the hospital for medical treatment. Two 29-year-old men with the initials J.J.M.M. and M.S.B.R. were arrested on Airport Road for assault with a weapon and aggravated assault.

An investigation proceeded, and three more individuals were arrested on Monday, the 9th of December. These individuals are a 33-year-old man with the initials R.R.J.J., a 21-year-old man with the initials S.N.T.M., and a 47-year-old man with the initials M.D.R.P. for open assault, theft, threat, assault with a weapon, and aggravated assault. Investigations in this case is ongoing.

Scheduled traffic checks SABA
Several traffic controls took place on Saba on Thursday, the 5th of December. These checks took place in both The Bottom and Windwardside and focused on proper and valid documents (driver's license, proof of insurance, road tax), the light transmission of car windows and the alcohol consumption of drivers.

About 30 vehicles were stopped and checked during the checks. One driver received a warning due to alcohol consumption, as he was just under the permitted limit. Several fines were also issued for violations such as not wearing a seat belt, driving without a valid license, driving without valid insurance and driving with a defective taillight.

The KPCN would like to remind everyone to have the necessary documents in order. They are also strongly advised to adhere to the rules of traffic regulations. In this way you also contribute to safe traffic on the island.

Are you not following the rules? Then you may receive a fine. The fine for the above violations varies between $30 and $225.

Theft from store SABA
On Wednesday, the 4th of December, a theft was reported from an eyewear store in Windwardside on Saba. Unknown persons took several pairs of glasses. The case is under investigation.

KPCN Press Release.