TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Violent robbery on Front Street

"Police Take Decisive Action Following Violent Robbery on Front Street

The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) condemns in the strongest terms the robbery that took place on Sunday afternoon, February 23, 2025, on Front Street. This attack, which occurred just after 5:00 PM, is a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and community cooperation in ensuring the safety of all on our island.

Police Central Dispatch received multiple urgent calls reporting that three young males viciously assaulted a female visitor, forcefully stealing her handbag while she and her husband were walking. The suspects' ruthless actions caused the victim to fall, resulting in a head injury that required immediate medical attention. Such violent acts are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

Thanks to the rapid response of multiple patrol units and detectives, officers quickly apprehended one of the suspects—a 14-year-old male—in Philipsburg., The other two suspects, aged 14 and 17, were surrendered to the Philipsburg Police Station later that evening around 9:00 PM by their parents. Police recovered the victim’s handbag and its contents during the investigation.

KPSM is sending a clear message: crimes against residents and visitors will be met with decisive action. Violent behavior, especially from individuals so young, is deeply troubling. Parents and guardians must take responsibility for guiding their children, emphasizing that criminal acts can have lasting, life-altering consequences.

Every person on this island—resident or visitor—deserves to feel safe. Those who attempt to disrupt that safety will face the full force of the law, KPSM urges the community to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and have meaningful conversations with our youth about respect for others and the law.

KPSM remains committed to ensuring Sint Maarten remains a safe and welcoming destination. The investigation continues, and further updates will be provided as necessary."

A Sunday afternoon, 5PM on Front Street…😟

Glad they caught them. But unless they get a sentence that sends a clear message that this type of crime will not be tolerated, nothing will change.

They caught one. Parents turned the other two in. Can't give the police too much credit.

Things like this is why after 30+ years and over 55 vacations we have given up on our 2nd home.
Among other things that have taken place.
It’s sad…..

To me, that is very encouraging, that parents turned them in. It signifies that they know what the kids did was wrong and they need to face the consequences.

Better yet is starting with instilling them with better values and respect.

Agreed, but at least this is a start.

Anyone know what the population of SXM is? Wondering how the crime rate compares to a comparably sized city in the U.S.? Would this sort of crime even be covereed by the media in the U.S.? And could we count on American parents to react the same way that the SXM ones did? Not trying to be provocative here - just trying to establish some personal perspective.

We used to own a villa on front street over ten years ago. This sort of crime has always go on. There were also many crimes involving necklaces been wripped of your neck by men on scooters. I think more of these crimes are reported now. I still think it’s a safe place visit.

To be clear, I am no expert on SXM, but I don’t think that it’s useful, or realistic to compare the crime rate of any country to a comparably-sized city in the US. The level of violent crime on SXM is unique to the island, even as compared to other destinations in the Caribbean. I think that the current heightened level of violent crime being reported - and shared on this forum - will drive the sharing of any crime reports, including purse snatching involving visitors being injured…
Your question on American parents’ reactions is rhetorical, or unanswerable, of course.

you're exactly right...this should never have been reported or discussed...ignorance is bliss!


if people needed to celebrate or mention NOT experiencing any incidents, that would be scary indeed

"Today I didn't even have to use my AK, I gotta say it was a good day"

When we read about all this crime on the island, it is important to remember that with social media and forums such as this one, there is more of a spotlight on the crime.
How many people are going to come to this forum and say "I went to Front Street, walked up and down the street and there were no incidents". Has SXM's crime gone up? Probably. But I am not sure it has gone up quite so much as the skewed view given by social media and forums.

Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

Not much gets past this forum if it’s happening on SXM. Some of the people here are as expert as anyone including those who live on the island and those who have visited often and for a long time.

If it’s mentionable here, it is important.

Awareness allows people to properly tune their radar antenna gain to the situation whether it be grand case, front street and now parrotville.

It is when tourists go ladida in the wrong place they can be victims.

SXM is better than almost every other island (except some boring ones).

It would be good for the island to project a more confident and competent law enforcement/justice system.

And yes, I would say the island is “less safe” than when we first arrived but I wouldn’t declare it “unsafe”.

Well said.

I must say my wife and I never felt unsafe during our stay in St Maarten last winter but then at our age we're not late night birds any more and generally have a very pro-active attitude towards personal safety.
Over many years of Caribbean travel we became increasingly disillusioned about not only safety but also standards of service and changing attitudes towards tourists along with stuff just generally being poor value for money. We called time on Barbados for this reason many years ago. Plus the fact it has a socialist prime minister more interested in slavery reparations from Britain than looking after British tourists who make up the bulk of their visitors.
In fact any Caribbean island with its reparations begging bowl out will get short shrift from us. I don't do business with grifters.
St Maarten was a breath of fresh air. Good service, excellent food and drink and a very good attitude towards tourists.
We also noticed just how many workers had come to St Maarten from other Caribbean islands with no intention of going home anytime soon including the charming barman at D's beach bar.
I often ask is there any Caribbean island left that's safe, not overwhelmed by All-Inclusive resorts and still retaining its original character.
I guess I'm living in hope more than anything else because I've yet to be told of one.

TJTrippe, I was not at all implying people shouldn't speak out about the crime they may have encountered. I absolutely think they should. Because being an informed traveler is smart. However, it is equally as important to know that it can feel skewed because as I said "How many people come on here to say I walked around front street and nothing happened to me"

We're not going to let this crime deter us from going back next February. Be aware of your surroundings the same way you would at home, it could happen anywhere to anyone.