Dear Editor,

Judicial & Institutional Services (formerly known as SJIS/SJIB) proudly celebrates its 22^nd anniversary, marking over two decades of dedicated service aimed at restoring and reconciling families and individuals within communities.

Since its inception, SJIS/SJIB has served as a beacon of hope and transformation, significantly aiding children under supervision and supporting individuals navigating legal challenges.

Throughout its history, SJIS/SJIB has remained steadfast in its mission to reunite families and rehabilitate community members. By fostering environments conducive to growth and resilience, the organization has touched countless lives, helping to build stronger, more resilient communities.

In honor of this significant milestone, SJIS/SJIB is excited to announce several new initiatives designed to expand its services and deepen its commitment to those it serves. Details of these upcoming projects will be shared in the coming weeks, inviting the community to join in this journey of growth and innovation.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our dedicated team, partners, and community members for their unwavering support over the years. It is through their collaboration and commitment that SJIS/SJIB continues to make a positive impact on many lives; and we invite the public to join us as we embark on the next chapter of our journey, dedicated to restoring hope and creating positive change in our communities.

To stay updated on the latest news and upcoming initiatives, Judicial & Institutional Services encourages the community to like and follow our Facebook page at

www.facebook.com/foundationjisxm.

Foundation Judicial and Institutional Services

Dear Editor,

The month of July has been one of the most violent of recent history where gun violence is concerned. Within a short period of time, there were four shootings within a 72-hour period in the first week of the month.

On July 17, another incident of gun violence took place where the wife of a party leader was gunned down. This is a very disturbing event that has occurred which is currently under investigation. The country’s peace of mind has been shaken to the core.

Gun violence is a scourge that threatens the fundamental right to life. Firearms can cause devastating injuries and have a lasting impact on mental and physical health.

There have been a number of gun violence incidents since the beginning of the year. There is a great concern within the community about these incidents which seemingly are becoming a weekly occurrence and are very concerning.

The St. Maarten Police Force KPSM have increased search and controls of vehicles in order to take away any weapons found during those controls. On several occasions they have been successful.

What measures or “basic tools” as a community, as a society can take to deal with gun violence overall?

Some “basic home-grown tools”/community/family/guardian-based intervention measures that can be taken that have been promoted are: Discourage name-calling and teasing. These can easily get out of hand, moving all too quickly from “just words” to fists, knives, and even firearms. Teach children that bullying is wrong and take their fears about bullies seriously.

Show children how to settle arguments or solve problems without using words or actions that hurt others. Set the example by the way you handle everyday conflicts in the family, at work, and in the neighborhood. Don’t forget that common courtesies like “please”, “thank you” and “excuse me” help ease tensions that can lead to violence.

Stick with friends and family who steer clear of violence and drugs. And encourage your children to do the same. Research shows use of alcohol and other drugs is closely linked with violence, including the use of guns and other weapons.

Take a hard look at what you, your family, and your friends watch and listen to for entertainment – from action movies and cop shows to video games and music lyrics. How do the characters solve problems? Do they make firearms and other violence appear exciting, funny, or glamorous? Are the real-life consequences of violence for victims and families clear? Talk about what each of you liked and didn’t like.

It’s going back to basics as a community in order to truly tackle gun violence within our society. As they say, it takes a village to raise a child, and the country has reached the point of where we have to take a look in the mirror before it’s too late.

We have to look at the educational system and re-invent ourselves where this is concerned. An educational system is the foundation of any country.

Gun violence is a threat to us all. St. Maarten is not the only country facing this phenomenon. We just have to look across the channel to Anguilla which is in the same boat, but many of our brothers and sisters within the Caribbean Basin are also being confronted with gun violence within their communities.

St. Maarten’s economy is tourism-based, and safety and security are one of the key tenets for the travel industry. The country can ill afford being branded a “dangerous country” as a travel advisory.

The country is already facing an advisory about the electricity crisis by institutions from key tourism markets. The Caribbean Region as a whole as one of the key tourism destinations is suffering from the negative fallout of Hurricane Beryl’s damage that stretches around the basin from Yucatan, Mexico, in the west, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines to Barbados in the east.

St. Maarten needs a community-oriented approach in order to beat gun violence.

Roddy Heyliger

Dear Editor,

What would happen if an entire tourism destination was dedicated to expressing tourism legacy in a new way? Wanting to explore the potential for developing a bolder and more distinctive concept for tourism destination services and products. Conceived as model to explore future directions with innovative features and enhanced by promotion language that reflects the destination’s unique products and professional services. The new concept may be a radical demonstration of the power of an avant-garde brand that will appear as the tourism destination of tomorrow.

Does it sound like a politician’s biddle-boo diddley squat? It doesn’t mean to be disrespectful or contesting any existing shortcomings in a heavy-duty script.

Ever heard of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs? Academic courses in marketing teach Maslow's hierarchy as one of the first theories as a basis for understanding consumers' motives for action. Marketers have historically looked towards consumers' needs to define their actions in the market. If producers design products meeting consumer needs, consumers will more often choose those products over those of competitors, thus increasing sales.

It is an art to remain down-to-earth, yet achieving something that is almost heavenly for many. It may not be the concept that is referred to, but the following may provide some food for thought.

He dropped out of high school at age 15, he bought an uninhabited Caribbean island at age 28. He developed it to serve as a family private retreat. It was not supposed to be a tourist destination. Yet now, years later, it can be booked anytime of the year for exclusive use from US $105,000 per night. During selected weeks of the year, the island opens up “hotel style”, allowing guests to book individual rooms US $5,150 per night.

“Don't bother doing something unless you're radically different from the competition,” according to Sir Richard Branson, the man behind this example and described as a man with an innovative spirit, deeply committed to sustainability and environment, as well as wildlife preservation, with an outlandish lifestyle, and who turns his visions into reality.

The point is not about telling anyone what to do or suggesting to go to extremes. It is not about how much is invested. It is about a philosophy or vision that offers an exclusive escape, where guests can escape the pressure of everyday life and immerse themselves in the tranquility and beauty of Caribbean’s natural beauty and feel totally and truly at ease. Branson’s personal philosophy is embracing new experiences, and constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible that will be encapsulated in unique experiences. How about that for creating a new tourism destination concept?

It brings us back to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs which is used to study how humans intrinsically partake in behavioral motivation. Maslow used the terms “physiological”, “safety”, “belonging and love”, “social needs” or “esteem”, “self-actualization” and “transcendence” to describe the pattern through which human needs and motivations generally move. So, if one wants to invite guests to come to a destination, one has to understand their behavior, lifestyle and culture first. The characteristics and demographics of every tourism source market differ. Don’t expect to get them all. Specialization and exclusivity will create uniqueness.

Why shouldn't a destination be homey; a kind place that has the feeling of a cozy and comfortable home? Why not go “Shabby Chic” which is in essence a feminine design style that reflects a casual and relaxed lifestyle and homelike warmth. Yet, feminine design relates to beautification. Not cosmetics, but the true natural beauty from within of a destination that should reflect the warmth of hospitality and of guesticology which is the study of the people for whom services are provided. It recognizes that there is a vital link between customer satisfaction and brand reputation. The only regret from a stay at a destination would be that the visitor couldn’t stay longer!

A new exciting tourism destination concept harnesses the power of creativity and crosswise thinking to make a unique statement in a hi-class and hi-performance tourism concept model. One must not feel restricted by previous traditional concepts but instead explore new ways of expressing what a tourist destination stands for. It should represent the brand’s destination roots in an intelligent way, without using showy gimmicks. Mind that quality goes in before the brand goes on. Yet, some believe that guests can be induced to swallow anything, provided it is sufficiently seasoned with praise, and they promote it with ample braggadocio.

In character and performance, a new tourism destination concept should be the most advanced focused model yet to come to the industry and be uncontaminated by the world around it. The concept shares the core values of the brand: progressiveness, comfort, warmth, quality and functionality and combined with authenticity, creative culture and innovative thinking. That may be an exhausting lot to think about.

Create a different atmosphere than is found elsewhere. It’s no good to copy others, but it does make sense to be inspired by others to come up with new ideas. In a region where the ocean hugs the shore, a destination can be an experience offering an extensive range of features that go above and beyond expectations.

“Nothing is so common as the wish to be remarkable,” according to William Shakespeare, who also said: “Be great in act, as you have been in thought.”

So, let’s run it up the flagpole and see if anyone salutes it.

Colonel Bud Slabbaert

People of St. Maarten,

It is with a deep feeling of sadness that I address you today. I would first like to extend my sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. Secondly, I wish those injured and affected a swift and full recovery. This act of violence is not in line with St. Maarten’s friendly island values of peace and unity. As your Governor, I therefore state that I unequivocally condemn all acts of violence.

Addressing whatever issues there may be via violence is not the path our country should be taking. In moments like these, it is essential for us to come together as a community. We must ensure that division does not prevail, but rather unity, as we continue to work together on the basis of freedom, equality, peaceful co-existence and solidarity.

I urge everyone to remain dignified and peaceful and allow the authorities to carry out a thorough investigation.

Let us use this moment to strengthen our resolve to build a community where, in good St. Maarten tradition, differences are settled through peaceful means where every individual feels safe and valued.

God bless every one of you and your families and God bless St. Maarten.

Governor Ajamu Baly