Published in our previous edition, the figures from the 2025 report on the fight against insecurity have ushered in a new era: that of strategy. The Prefect, the judiciary, and law enforcement have outlined a comprehensive, coordinated, and sustainable approach to security in the northern islands.
Saint-Martin, a laboratory for security
For Éric Maurel, the Attorney General at the Basse-Terre Court of Appeal, Saint-Martin is now “a fascinating laboratory in terms of security.” He emphasizes a resolutely proactive approach: “Here, law enforcement doesn’t react. They anticipate.” Predictive policing makes it possible to identify profiles, areas, and levels of risk in order to act upstream. “The presence of law enforcement, the saturation of sensitive locations, and the dismantling of drug dealing hotspots also explain the positive results observed,” he insists. This encouraging momentum, he believes, must be supported by “the involvement of the entire population and elected officials.”
Safety and attractiveness: a shared responsibility
Prefect Cyrille Le Vély emphasizes that “Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy must remain safe islands, both for those who live there and for those who visit them.” Daily security is essential for tourism, the territory’s primary economic activity. For 2026, the fight against drug trafficking is an absolute priority. “Every time a user buys drugs, they fuel criminal activity,” the prefect stresses. The government intends to strengthen human and technological resources, particularly through the use of drones, in order to “fight on equal terms against well-equipped networks.”
Vehicle thefts: a cross-border response
The creation of a special unit dedicated to vehicle thefts addresses a worrying situation: nearly 500 cars disappear each year on the French side. “We are on a binational island without a physical border, which necessitates enhanced cooperation,” emphasizes the state representative. A joint working group with Sint Maarten will be established in 2026. “There is genuine political will on both sides,” with the objective of identifying the networks, understanding the existence of a market, and developing a coordinated response to this unprecedented phenomenon.
A firmer and more visible justice system
Public Prosecutor Marie-Lucie Godard is taking a firm stance: “The court is no longer playing games,” she declared, referring to the increase in immediate appearance hearings and harsher sentences. She emphasized the improving quality of investigations: “I come in at the end of the chain, but the work is done together upstream, in close cooperation with the investigators.” For Éric Maurel, this intensification comes at a cost: “More procedures also mean increased pressure on the justice system.” The project for a fully functioning judicial court in Saint-Martin, announced for early 2027, remains a crucial issue requiring “very strong” mobilization from elected officials: “Don’t think that an announced court is a done deal; we must continue to mobilize.”
French and Dutch police: unwavering cooperation
Cooperation between law enforcement on the French side and the Sint Maarten police (KPSM) has been significantly strengthened. “We exchange thousands of emails a year,” emphasizes Hugues Loyez, commander of the gendarmerie. Joint checks, simultaneous operations at the four border crossings, and constant communication are now the norm. The same is true between magistrates. In short, the idea that one can commit a crime on the French side and flee with impunity to the Dutch side is a thing of the past. For the public prosecutor, “the border will not stop us. Our strength lies in time. Criminals may move, but the cases remain,” referring to a criminal wanted in Guadeloupe and arrested in Dominica several years later. The crackdown on trafficking (tax or social security fraud, undeclared work) continues alongside strengthened international cooperation and intensified work by the gendarmerie.
Source: Faxinfo https://faxinfo.fr/en/securite-une-strategie-globale-en-action/
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