SINT MAARTEN (MAHO) - The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) advises the public that persistent and ongoing illegal parking along Rhine Road in the Maho area and at the entrance of Beacon Hill Road has forced the police to take decisive enforcement action. Despite repeated complaints, warnings, and preventive measures implemented over an extended period, traffic violations at this location have continued, creating serious disruptions to the free flow of traffic and posing risks to road users and pedestrians.

Over the past several weeks, KPSM has received multiple requests and complaints regarding illegal parking along Rhine Road leading into the Maho area, as well as at the entrance of Beacon Hill Road. Community officers assigned to the Maho area have, over time, implemented several measures to discourage drivers from parking on sidewalks.

In collaboration with concerned parents and community members, concrete dividers were placed to prevent vehicles from parking on pedestrian walkways. However, drivers have adjusted their behavior and have begun parking on the roadway itself. This has resulted in a narrowing of the entrance to Beacon Hill Road and the roundabout leading into Maho, significantly affecting traffic circulation in this heavily used area.

As the preventive measures proved ineffective, KPSM transitioned to active enforcement. On Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026, police officers conducted enforcement actions at the location, during which fines were issued and several vehicles were towed for violating traffic regulations. These actions were taken in accordance with the clearly posted no-stopping/no-parking signs present in the area.

KPSM strongly urges residents, tour operators (including large and small buses), ATV rental companies, and visitors to refrain from parking along Rhine Road in Maho and at the entrance of Beacon Hill Road. Illegal parking in these locations continues to obstruct traffic flow and compromises public safety.

Due to continued non-compliance, the police are forced to divert personnel from already limited operational resources to address this behavior—resources that could otherwise be deployed to manage other critical policing duties.

KPSM calls on all road users to cooperate and comply with traffic regulations to ensure a safe, orderly, and accessible traffic environment in the Maho area.

SINT MAARTEN (CAY HILL) - The Island Gems Charity Foundation, the island’s longest-running charity organization, has once again extended its annual support to four dedicated animal welfare groups: Animal Defenders St. Maarten, I Love My Island Dog, SXM Paws, and the Animal Welfare Foundation. The annual donations help fund essential initiatives, including sterilization programmes and medical care. 

Island Gems has deposited a total of US $1,000 per organization into the groups’ preferred veterinary clinics to cover spay and neuter procedures for dogs and cats. This annual contribution forms part of the foundation’s ongoing efforts to help control the island’s feral and abandoned animal population. The deposits create prepaid accounts that the organizations can draw on throughout the year for these specific procedures. 

Each of the beneficiary organizations plays a vital role in improving animal welfare across the island. 

Animal Defenders St. Maarten focuses on sterilization, vaccination, and feeding programs for stray animals, while also advocating for compassionate care. 

I Love My Island Dog works to reduce pet overpopulation through spay and neuter efforts and assists in rehoming stray dogs. 

SXM Paws rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes abandoned animals while actively promoting responsible pet ownership. 

Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) organizes large-scale sterilization campaigns and conducts educational outreach aimed at reducing the number of stray animals. 

The donations were lodged with the following veterinary clinics: for I Love My Island Dog Association – St. Maarten Veterinary Clinic; Animal Defenders – Animal Care Clinic; AWF – Animal Hospital St. Maarten; and SXM Paws – Island Vet. 

Founded as an all-women charitable organization, the Island Gems Charity Foundation raises funds through its annual costume gala, with proceeds supporting non-profit initiatives that benefit projects and communities on both sides of the island. Over the years, the foundation has funded projects in education, healthcare, environmental conservation, and animal welfare. 

“We are proud to continue our annual support for these organizations that work tirelessly to improve the lives of animals on the island. Their dedication to rescue, sterilization, and awareness is making a real difference,” said Alita Singh, president of Island Gems Charity Foundation. 

Tickets for the annual costume gala, themed “Heroes and Villains,” on Friday, March 28, are now available. Those interested in supporting the foundation’s efforts can purchase tickets by contacting any Island Gems member. 

“Every ticket purchased contributes to making a meaningful difference in our community. We invite everyone to join us for a spectacular evening while supporting important causes,” added long-time Island Gems member Jody Rosen.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Member of Parliament (MP) Egbert J. Doran is calling for greater policy alignment within the Council of Ministers, stating that public-private partnerships are a valuable and necessary tool for national development but must be applied consistently, including for the benefit of the country’s public schools.

Doran pointed to two recent government positions that, when viewed together, raise legitimate questions about coherence in infrastructure policy. On one hand, the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) announced a partnership with the Gioia Group to rehabilitate the Simpson Bay Dock and surrounding public facilities, highlighting public-private cooperation as a pillar of modern governance, a move he applauds.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) has taken the position that infrastructure works cannot be accepted as donations for public schools, citing liability and accountability concerns.

“We are clearly seeing two different approaches to the same concept,” Doran said. “Public-private partnerships are being embraced as innovative and workable when it comes to economic and public infrastructure, and that is a good thing. It shows that government recognizes it cannot do everything alone. But that same openness must also extend to our schools.”

Doran stressed that his position is not about opposing development initiatives or questioning the value of partnerships in sectors like tourism and maritime infrastructure. Rather, he argues that the same governance capacity used to facilitate large-scale public works should also be used to address long-standing challenges in the education sector.

“If the government can structure agreements, oversight mechanisms, and accountability frameworks for major public assets such as docks and police facilities, then it stands to reason that similar safeguards can be developed for school infrastructure,” Doran stated. “The issue is not whether partnerships work. The issue is where we choose to apply them.”

According to Doran, concerns about liability and quality control raised by the Minister of ECYS, should not become a blanket barrier, particularly when classrooms across the country continue to struggle with heat, aging facilities, and deferred maintenance.

“No one is suggesting unregulated or unsupervised work,” he said. “What parents and teachers are asking for is the same level of creativity and problem-solving that government is already demonstrating elsewhere. If partnerships are good policy, they should be good policy for all critical public needs, including education.”

Doran concluded by urging the Council of Ministers to bring greater consistency to its approach, noting that public-private cooperation should be guided by shared national priorities rather than siloed ministerial interpretations.

“Our development strategy must be balanced,” he said. “Economic infrastructure and educational infrastructure are not competing interests. They are both investments in the future of St. Maarten.”

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Sint Maarten Tax Administration, in collaboration with Social & Health Insurances (SZV) and Stichting Belastingaccountantsbureau (SBAB), has officially launched a joint compliance verification campaign aimed at strengthening business compliance and improving the accuracy of employer records on Sint Maarten.

The campaign will begin in February 2026 and will include on-site inspections at registered businesses. During these visits, SBAB officers will verify whether business information registered with SZV and the Tax Administration reflects the current operational situation of each enterprise. Where discrepancies are identified, records will be reviewed and updated in cooperation with business owners, in accordance with applicable tax and social security legislation.

In addition to verification activities, the initiative will provide guidance and support to businesses experiencing compliance challenges. This includes one-on-one assistance to help employers better understand their legal obligations, strengthen administrative practices, and effectively utilize the SZV Employer Portal and relevant tax reporting portals.

The Tax Administration, SZV, and SBAB emphasize that strong compliance practices are essential for maintaining accurate records, ensuring fair competition, and supporting a transparent and lawful business environment. Businesses are kindly requested to cooperate during inspection visits and ensure that all requested documentation is readily available.

Honorable Minister of Finance Marinka J. Gumbs fully supports the joint compliance campaign launched by the Tax Administration, SZV and SBAB. This campaign is important to ensure that everyone contributes their fair share, so that as a country we can strengthen our financial position and move forward in a sustainable way.

The Minister therefore kindly calls on all citizens, businesses, and stakeholders to cooperate with the authorities during this process, as collective responsibility is essential for the well-being and development of Sint Maarten.