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Judge Finds Justice Minister Actions Pitiful.

~ there is no strike by KPSM .~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The judge in the Court of First Instance finds the actions of the Minister of Justice Anna Richardson pitiful says Attorney at Law Cor Merx. Merx told reporters that the court finds that the justice workers especially KPSM are hard workers.
The Presidents of NAPB and ABVO and KPSM workers are not on strike, instead they have been servicing the community in a slower way since they are on go slow.
The Union Presidents said that the police officers have a right to service the community, while they are within their rights to attend to their own concerns.
At the Courthouse, hundreds of justice workers, civil servants, and union representatives, and members of Parliament were all present Read more

Justice Minister Files Injunction To Get Workers Back On The Job

Justice Minister Anna Richardson in Parliament on Thursday.

~ Feels betrayed ~

PHILIPSBURG--Justice Minister Anna Richardson, with the support of the Council of Ministers, has filed an injunction with the Court of First Instance requesting that justice workers be instructed to discontinue their demonstrations and allow discussions about their grievances to be had around the table Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Eight students at the MAC-CSE were among the top Regional Merit candidates during the CXC-CCSLC Examinations in 2020. The eight candidates are Tianna Bellot (Integrated Science), Deavolon Nixon (Spanish), Rebecca Tellusma (Social Studies), Cassandra Ramzan (Spanish), Zoey Maloon (Integrated Science), Keldikah Richardson (English), Benoit Cairo (French), Chad Samuel (Integrated Science). Deavolon Nixon was the top candidate in the region for Spanish. The Chairman, Executive Director, and Head of the MAC-CSE congratulates the students and the CXC-CCSLC teachers Mr Read more

Chairman Of Parliament Poses Several Questions To Minister Of Justice, During Draft National Ordinance Establishing The Budget Of Sint Maarten

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Questions posed by MP Rolando Brison to the Minister of Justice Anna Richardson During the Central Committee meeting handling of the draft National Ordinance establishing the Budget 2021

Function Book

What are the financial implications, if everyone was to be place in their proper function with their increase in pay in the next 2 months, is this accounted for in this 2021 budget?If not, how will the Government afford to pay these increases?Or is this more anticipated for future budget 2022?

CFATF

When is the next meeting of the CFATF and report to the membership?What is the expectation that the Minister would have to be faced with?Are there any implementation costs for the remainder of 2021 that the Ministry of Justice expects to incur, within the MOTT and/or other aspects within Justice?

Challenges faced with the Prosecutor office

Please provide an update on the challenges the Minister faces with the fines from Prosecutor office in their role and lack of action with the collection to the tune of 1mil guilders in fines.

Referring to the National ordinance Bestuurlijkehandhaving Jan 25, 2018 was passed in Parliament. 

Is this law fully ratified and implemented?If yes, is this assisting with the collections?If not, what would be the plan for the ratification and full implementation and use of Bestuurlijkehandhaving?Would this law help the Minister in terms of collections and if not having to be done via the Criminal code as was done in the past?

Income of the issuance of Gun licenses

What is the status for issuance of gun licenses?What is the status of the new gun policy?Is there a projected increase as a result of the efforts to create a proper policy for the issuance of gun licenses?Will there be a fee increase and can we expect additional funds in Government koffers?

Police records

What is the status of the new reform of police records that were expected to come, and what are the projected revenues to be achieved from this?

MOT  (Meldpunt Ongebrijkelijke)

There is an ongoing concern with the legislation passed in Parliament Read more

Irion Presents Naf. 613 Million Budget With Naf. 241M Deficit

Finance Minister Ardwell Irion (centre) flanked by Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs (left) and Justice Minister Anna Richardson (right).

PHILIPSBURG--We recognise that the 2021 budget needs much improvement, Finance Minister Ardwell Irion said on Thursday as he presented the NAf Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Justice Anna Richardson announced on Wednesday that a Ministerial Decree will be issued today Wednesday, June 16th to curb illegal gathering, noise pollution, and loitering. The decree will take immediate effect and will be extended until public order is fully restored.
The Minister of Justice said that since the government of St Read more

Attorney-General To Hold Introductory Meetings In Sint Maarten

Mr. Ton Maan, Attorney-General of Curaao and St. Maarten, and Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Attorney-General of Curaao and St. Maarten, and Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Mr. Ton Maan, will hold introductory meetings on Sint Maarten as of Monday, June 7, 2021.

The Attorney-General arrived on Sint Maarten Sunday afternoon.

The Attorney-General took up his post as of April 1, but has been unable to conduct in-person meetings on Sint Maarten earlier due to the COVID-19-related lockdown in Curaao and the resulting border closure between Sint Maarten and Curaao.

The Attorney-General is scheduled to hold in-person introductory meetings with Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs, Justice Minister Anna Richardson, and other partners in the justice chain Read more

First Passenger Cruise In 15 Months Set Sail On Saturday

Government officials pose for a group photo on Saturday while cruise ship Celebrity Millennium takes on passengers. From left: VSA Minister Omar Ottley, ECYS Minister Rodolphe Samuel, MP Grisha Heyliger-Marten, Justice Minister Anna Richardson, Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs, TEATT Minister Ludmila de Weever, Finance Minister Ardwell Irion, and MP George Pantophlet Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- St. Maarten had much to celebrate on Saturday morning as the island made history by beginning Homeporting for cruise lines. The first cruise line that opted to begin their Caribbean cruise from St. Maarten is Celebrity.
Among those that attended the historic ceremony were Members of Parliament Grisha Heyliger Marten, Mellissa Gumbs with Ministers of Education Rodolphe Samuel, Minister of Health Omar Ottley, Minister of Finance Ardwell Irion, Minister of Justice Anna Richardson, Minister of Economic Affairs Ludmilla de Weever, and Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs Read more

Price Tag For New Prison Set At $39M In Unops Proposal

PHILIPSBURG--The price tag for the new prison is US $39 million in the latest proposal by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Justice Minister Anna Richardson told Members of Parliament (MPs) on Wednesday.

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Richardson Meets With Customs To Discuss Improving Operations

A photo taken during the working visit.

PHILIPSBURG--Justice Minister Anna Richardson recently met with St. Maarten Customs head Anthony Doran and high-ranking Customs officials Franklin Bernadina and Otto de Vries to discuss the agencys operations and finances.

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Justice Function Books Under Review By Advisory Council

PHILIPSBURG--The function books for the entire Justice Ministry were approved by the Council of Ministers and have been sent to the Advisory Council for review, said Justice Minister Anna Richardson on Sunday.

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Kpsm Officers Graduate, Class Of 2015 (Bpo-2)

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — On Friday, May 7, 2021, 15 police officers from the Class of 2015 attended their graduation ceremony held in front of the Police Head Quarters in Philipsburg.

The graduation was attended to by His Excellency the Governor of Sint Maarten Drs. Eugene Holiday, Prime minister the Honorable Silveria Jacobs and the Minister of Justice the honorable Anna Richardson, Chief Prosecutor Mirjam Mol, government officials and department heads, representatives of several local associations and communities, colleagues, family members and friends.

Police Chief Carl John, the police management team and representatives from the Nederlands Politie Academy (N.P.A.) proudly congratulated all of the graduates for their academic achievements and expressed sincere thanks to the family-members for the support they have given them while they were in training.

KPSM continues to train its personnel to the highest level possible to give the foundation on which to build a carrier offering the highest level of professional police service Read more

Kpsm Officers Graduate, Class Of 2015 (Bpo-2)

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – On Friday, May 7, 2021, 15 police officers from the Class of 2015 attended their graduation ceremony held in front of the Police Head Quarters in Philipsburg.

The graduation was attended to by His Excellency the Governor of Sint Maarten Drs. Eugene Holiday, Prime minister the Honorable Silveria Jacobs and the Minister of Justice the honorable  Anna Richardson,  Chief Prosecutor Mirjam Mol, government officials and department heads, representatives of several local associations and communities, colleagues, family members and friends.

Police Chief Carl John, the police management team and representatives from the Nederlands Politie Academy (N.P.A.) proudly congratulated all of the graduates for their academic achievements and expressed sincere thanks to the family-members for the support they have given them while they were in training. 

KPSM continues to train its personnel to the highest level possible to give the foundation on which to build a carrier offering the highest level of professional police service Read more

Residency Permit Requirements Amended Slightly In New Decree

PHILIPSBURG--The requirements to qualify for a residence permit have been amended slightly in a ministerial decree issued by Justice Minister Anna Richardson on Thursday, April 29.

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Amendment For Regulating Overtime Pay To Officers Made A Point Of Action By Minister Of Justice Anna Richardson

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten On Thursday, April 29, 2021, the Minister of Justice, Ms. Anna E. Richardson held a meeting with the Chief of Police Force, Mr. Carl John, and Attorney at Law, Ms. Peggy-Ann Brandon, to discuss the topic of regulating overtime compensation for both the Police and Immigration Officers.

The objective of the meeting was to identify the obstacles being faced with the current protocol and to explore the steps needed to be taken to ensure that the officers of the KPSM and the Immigration and Border Protection Services(IBPS)are fairly compensated for overtime hours.

The meeting held last week was requested by Minister Richardson as a follow-up to the phase one approach aimed at tackling the matter of overtime compensation.

Upon taking office, Minister Richardson immediately focused on taking steps and measures to regulate all aspects of concern within the Ministry of Justice Read more

Jacobs Cabinet Satisfied With Its Performance But Believed More Could Have Been Done If Not Pressured By The Netherlands.

~Young Ministers also have challenges but are on the right track.~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs believes that her young cabinet members are doing fairly well despite the pressure they faced from the Netherlands to obtain liquidity support. The Prime Minister was responding to questions posed by SMN News regarding how satisfied they are with their performance since entering office. Jacobs said that her cabinet took office during challenging times as the island was now recovering from Hurricane Irma when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Jacobs said on March 28th, 2021 her government celebrated one year in office and everyone knows that her government has the youngest members of the Council of Ministers in the countrys history as such innovations and finding solutions are the key changes she noted Read more

Successful Second Edition Of The Coast Guard Recruitment Day

SIMPSON BAY, Sint Maarten – The Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard would like to thank the community of St. Maarten for attending the second edition of the recruitment day held last Saturday.

For the day, the Coast Guard opened her doors to all St. Maarten youngsters interested in becoming a Coast Guard officer. Many youngsters with their parents and guardians braved the torrential downpours and gusting winds that day and received information and were able to speak with Coast Guard officers about their work Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard would like to thank the community of St. Maarten for attending the second edition of the recruitment day held last Saturday. For the day, the Coast Guard opened her doors to all St. Maarten youngsters interested in becoming a Coast Guard officer. Many youngsters with their parents and guardians braved the torrential downpours and gusting winds that day and received information and were able to speak with Coast Guard officers about their work. Some youngsters even faced a challenge set up to measure their physical fitness.

The day started at 10 AM at lasted until 1 PM with different stands where both boys and girls could receive useful information about the Coast Guard training Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Detectives arrested Officer Fabian Perez-Torres early Friday morning as they continue to probe the investigation of the stolen vehicles that were upgraded by Minister of Justice Anna Richardson after SMN News published a string of articles regarding stolen vehicles on St. Maarten/ St. Martin.
Officer Fabian Perez-Torres a national of Curacao and Chille was fingered by Franklin Brison in mid-2020 when his vehicle was stolen and Perez-Torres was seen driving the vehicle on numerous occasions with one license plate Read more

Richardson: Napb Does Not Have A Right To Collective Bargaining With Government

PHILIPSBURG--Justice Minister Anna Richardson shot back on Tuesday at statements made by police union NAPB St. Maarten last week, saying she does not acknowledge the unions rights to collective bargaining with government on employee issues.

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Sint Maarten Anti-Poverty Platform / Sint Maarten Consumers Coalition.

Topic 1: SMCC - Seniors citizens once more without timely payment of their old age pensions.

Topic 2: SMCC - Seniors receiving cut in AOV pension from former Netherlands Antilles entitled to refund!

Topic 3: SMAPP - Minister of Justice continues disrespecting workers rights of NAPB members in Justice!

Topic 4. SMAPP - CCSU members did not approve changes in function books proposed by the Minister of Justice

Topic 5: SMCC - Occupational Health and Safety Issues at Police Station Philipsburg still unresolved

Topic 1: Seniors citizens once more without timely payment of their old age pensions.

               It was in January of this year that as co-coordinator of the anti-poverty platform representing the seniors and pensioners in the platform we denounced the fact, that since the old age pension maximum was increased as per July 1, 2020, the seniors did not get their pension increase.

Only after our cry out on behalf of the seniors SZV came out with an announcement that depending on the bank of the pensioner, payments could be expected as soon as the last week in January Read more

Team Encounters Range Of Fraudulent Acts From Residence Permit Applicants

Justice Minister Anna Richardson in Parliament on Wednesday.

 ~ To do away with paper permits, issue cards instead ~

PHILIPSBURG--Submitting applications from bankrupt and non-operational companies, providing falsified tax forms and presenting job letters from inoperative companies and companies where the applican Read more

Mp Buncamper Applauds Minister Of Justice For Officially Bringing Back The Border Protection Under The Ibps

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – “Let me publicly congratulate you (The Minister of Justice) for getting the process of the IBPS (Immigration and Border Protection Service) in its final stages.

is how MP Buncamper started his speech on the floor of parliament in Wednesdays meeting with the Minister of Justice, Anna Richardson.

I know that some people may be disappointed with the change but we must execute the law based on the LIOL (National Order of Governments structure) Buncamper stated.

The MP went on to say that This department has its work cut out for it as the immigration issue is a serious one and we must deal with it humanly, but yet firmly.

The UNICEF report, that addresses the abuse of persons bringing their families to St Read more