Recent posts on Saba News

Stray dog management

Scheduled animal management activities will take place between June 24 and June 26. Public Entity Saba wishes to inform the public that a stray dog located in/around the Gap in The Bottom has been the subject of ongoing efforts to safely capture and remove it from the area. Over an extended timeframe, multiple attempts have been made to safely capture the dog using non-lethal methods that would not be disruptive to the community. Despite these efforts, the dog has remained inaccessible, and capture attempts have been unsuccessful. Due to concerns regarding public safety, it has been determined that no practical options remain available for safely capturing the dog. As a result, local animal handlers will collaborate with the visiting invasive species specialists to locate and euthanize the dog. On Wednesday, June 24 between 5 am and 7 am, they will assess the scene and determine the best approach for removal. Following their assessment, they plan to euthanize and remove the dog on Thursday, June 25, between 5 am and 7 am. If the dog eludes these attempts, the team will carry out further removal efforts on Friday, June 26, also between 5 am and 7 am. Residents are asked to avoid the immediate area during the scheduled operation and to keep pets secure indoors or on a leash as a precaution. Residents are also encouraged to report any public safety concerns regarding animals such as roaming dogs directly with the police via 112 or 911. We thank the public for their understanding and cooperation. PES

Rainwater Management Pilot Project Begins

Public Entity Saba has begun the implementation of a pilot project focusing on rainwater management, erosion control, and environmental monitoring as part of ongoing efforts to improve water retention and strengthen the island’s resilience to climate change. Hydrologist Javier Dinten Fernandez has returned to Saba for a two-week working visit to support the initial implementation of the Rainwater Management and Erosion Control Plan. Javier previously contributed to the development of the plan during his traineeship with Rijkswaterstaat, working closely with local stakeholders to assess the island’s unique water management challenges and opportunities. A key component of the project is knowledge transfer and local capacity building. Throughout the visit, local staff are receiving hands-on training in the installation, operation, and maintenance of monitoring equipment and erosion control measures, helping to build local expertise for future monitoring and implementation efforts. As part of the project, monitoring equipment is being installed at several locations, including time-lapse cameras and a rainwater runoff sensor in the Fort Bay gut. The equipment will collect valuable information on how rainwater moves across the landscape during heavy rainfall events. This information will help identify opportunities to slow runoff, reduce erosion, and improve water infiltration. Retaining more rainwater in the landscape allows water to soak into the ground rather than flow rapidly downhill, supporting vegetation, reducing soil loss, and contributing to the replenishment of groundwater resources that play an important role in Saba’s long-term water security. In collaboration with the ongoing reforestation project, small barriers are also being tested at a pilot location to slow runoff, capture sediment, and improve water infiltration around newly planted trees. These pilot measures will help evaluate practical solutions that may be expanded to other areas of the island in the future. The project supports the objectives outlined in the Nature and Environmental Policy Plan (NEPP) and Saba’s upcoming Climate Plan, both of which identify improved rainwater retention, erosion control, environmental monitoring, and ecosystem restoration as priorities for the island’s sustainable future. PES

Saba Cares students complete WIEMS emergency responder programme

Three Saba Cares staff members have suc­cessfully completed the pi­lot Emergency Medical Re­sponder (EMR) Blended Programme conducted by Windward Islands Emer­gency Medical Services (WIEMS), marking an im­portant step in strengthen­ing emergency response capacity on Saba and across the wider region. WIEMS announced on Monday, June 22, the suc­cessful completion of the programme by Miguel Spanner, John R. Simmons and Jacklyn Simmons-Childs, who were formally recognised during a gradu­ation and certification cer­emony held on June 6. The EMR programme equips participants with the knowledge and practical skills required to provide immediate life-saving care in emergency situations while awaiting, or support­ing, higher levels of medi­cal assistance. Training in­cluded patient assessment, basic airway management, cardiopulmonary resusci­tation (CPR), trauma re­sponse, medical emergen­cies and coordinated emer­gency scene management. The three graduates com­pleted the pilot blended training model, which corn­bined online theory ses­sions with in-person practi­cal skills training. WIEMS noted that all students maintained a commendable 100% attendance rate throughout the pro­gramme. Lead instructor and edu­cation coordinator Micae­la Hart said the blended structure helped partici­pants connect the material directly to their day-to-day work. “The students were able to tie the theory of what they were learning into their real-time job, which helped them understand much more what they do,” Hart said. WIEMS President Merlin Aventurin described the graduation as a milestone for both organisations and the wider Windward Is­lands. “It is an honour to be part of this historic EMR gradu­ation ceremony on Saba,” Aventurin said. “This suc­cessful pilot programme marks an important mile­stone for WIEMS and Saba Cares as we continue working together to expand emergency medical train­ing and services throughout the Windward Islands and beyond.” WIEMS extended congrat­ulations to the newly cer­tified emergency medical responders and expressed confidence that they are now better equipped to respond in medical emer­gencies with the necessary skills and confidence. Special thanks were also extended to Interim Board of Directors member Dan­ny Rojer and Care Coor­dinator Sophie Coffie for their joint efforts in help­ing to launch the pilot pro­gramme successfully. The initiative forms part of a broader collaboration between WIEMS and Saba Cares aimed at building lo­cal emergency medical ca­pacity and expanding train­ing opportunities within the region. The Daily Herald.

Integrity violations reports BES to be taken seriously

Govern­ment must take action when there are reports of possible integrity violations in the Caribbean Neth­erlands. This is stated by Transparency International in its “The Indispensable Link” study. The conclusions and rec­ommendations align with an earlier report by the Sci­entific Research and Data Centre WODC. After the summer, the Dutch gov­ernment will announce its plans in this area. “Civil society organisa­tions know how to find their way to existing report­ing channels well. How­ever, they observe that insufficient action is taken regarding their signals or reports of misconduct. This has diverse and complex causes, such as a lack of coordination and political-administrative blockades. Solutions require a decisive government that dares to make decisions, and not a government that simply refers people elsewhere,” states the document. Transparency Internation­al conducted the research commissioned by the Min­istry of Justice and Security. They specifically examined the role of civil society or­ ganisations, for example in the areas of the environ­ment, the LGBTQ+ com­munity, consumer rights and employee or employer interests. Two of the 12 interviewees wished to remain anony­mous. That in itself is a sig­nal that improvements are needed, wrote Transpar­ency International. In the interviews, patron­age — also known as crony­ism — is frequently cited as a form of integrity violation. “In this context, civil society organisations on Bonaire pointed to political elites within the political system who are able to grant fa­vours to “the ordinary Bo­nairean” who in exchange supports the political party of those elites. They em­phasise that the occurrence of clientelism and patron­age is an open secret. The small scale and mutual financial interdependence are seen as a cause of integ­rity violations, but also as a reason why individual citi­zens are reluctant to report incidents. There is a culture of silence and distrust, ac­cording to the researchers. Reports are often made through the larger organ­isations. “Consider, for ex­ample, the waste problem raised by Pro Lagun,” the researchers wrote. Transparency Internation­al advises the Dutch gov­ernment and the Executive Councils of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (BES islands) to take reports se­riously. There should also be a form of structural consultation between gov­ernment and civil society organisations. “Too many civil society organisations do not feel represented by politics, nei­ther at the local nor at the kingdom level,” the report stated. Additionally, there is a need for financial sup­port to the organisations. Minister of Justice David van Weel responded posi­tively. The three islands will each receive a legal aid desk this year for legal assistance and equal treat­ment, he writes. In addition, work is be­ing done on anti-corruption policy in cooperation with the Ministry of Home Af­fairs and Kingdom Relations BZK and the National Ser­vice Caribbean Netherlands RCN. The recommenda­tions may be incorporated into this. “I will inform you about the progress of this af­ter the summer recess,” Van Weel told Parliament. The Daily Herald.

Police Report from Friday the 19th of June to Monday the 22nd ofJune 2026

Arrest for Burglary On Saturday, 20th of June, around 5:20 PM, a 33-year-old man with the initials I.D.R. was arrested on Thais Hill Road on Saba for burglary and vandalism. On Thursday, the 30th of April, the suspect must have broken into a building on Matthew Levenstone Street and stolen cash, among other items. The investigation into the case is ongoing. Arrest for Threats On Saturday, 20th of June, around 1:20 PM, a 41-year-old man with the initials E.A.H. was arrested at the police station on Saba for making threats. The case is under investigation. KPCN

Parliament asks action on BES energy prices

Members of the Dutch House of Repre­sentatives (“Tweede Kamer”) expressed concern over high energy prices in the Caribbean Netherlands and are calling for measures. State Secretary Eric van der Burg for Kingdom Re­lations is asking for a little more patience, including regarding education and UNICEF The VVD cabinet member is willing to talk with the govern­ments of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba (BES islands) about emergency preparedness and to create a plan for ferry connec­tions. These topics were mentioned during a brief follow-up debate on the Caribbean Netherlands. “I know that the state secretary was on Saba this weekend for Mr. Johnson’s farewell. I also know that electricity prices there are constantly rising and that in July the price will even reach 05046 euros per kilowatt-hour. What role do you envision in this to see what we can do?” asked D66 MP Heera Dijk. MPs Mikal Tseggai of PRO and Don Ceder of CU concurred. Van der Burg replied that there will be clarity after the summer regarding the allocation of 30 million euros reserved for ven­suring livelihoods on the three is­lands. After the summer, govern­ment will also make a decision regarding the possible extension of Child Friendly Cities, a project of the UN children’s rights organ­isation UNICEF, he told Dijk. Theggai of PRO, the new name for GroenLinks-PvdA, will also have to be patient a little longer. She wanted to know what the government is doing with the recommendations of the Edu­cation Council and the National Coordinator against Discrimi­nation and Racism regarding education in the Caribbean Netherlands. Together with CU MP Ceder, Tseggai submitted a motion with that request. Van der Burg promised that government would respond before the sum­mer, so the motion was post­poned. Three motions received a positive assessment. Theggai and Ceder asked the state secretary to consult with local authorities regarding emergency stockpiles in the event of a potential crisis. The same MPs also called at­tention to the improvement of the breakwater in the port of St. Eustatius. The Daily Herald.

Police Report from Wednesday the 17th of June to Friday the 19th ofJune 2026

Fight Ends in Stabbing In the night of Friday, the 19th of June, around 2:00 AM, an argument broke out between several people near Fort Bay Harbor on Saba. This escalated into a fight, during which one person was injured with a weapon. The victim was taken to the hospital in a private car for medical treatment. A 43-year-old man with the initials S.G.S. was arrested for assault with a weapon. The case is under further investigation. KPCN

Working group on Colonial Collections holds its first meeting on Saba

A newly established working group on collections from a colonial context has held its first in-person meeting on Saba, marking an important step toward strengthening Caribbean involvement in decisions regarding cultural artifacts acquired during the colonial period. The working group was created following a decision by the ministers of the Four-Country Ministerial Consultation to ensure that museums and heritage institutions in the Caribbean region have a stronger voice in the management, preservation, and potential return of cultural objects, based on the principle of equal partnership. Hosted by the Saba Heritage Center and the Eugenius Johnson Center, the meeting focused on developing recommendations to be presented to the Four-Country Ministerial Consultation in November 2026. Discussions addressed key themes including collection management and preservation, digitization, professionalization of the heritage sector, climate-resilient infrastructure, community engagement, knowledge sharing, and regional cooperation. The gathering brought together government representatives and heritage experts from Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Saba, Sint Eustatius and the Netherlands, alongside external advisors. The collaborative structure is designed to combine policy expertise and practical museum experience from both the Caribbean and European parts of the Kingdom. As part of the program, participants explored Saba’s cultural heritage through visits to local museums and historical sites, highlighting the island’s contribution to preserving and sharing Caribbean history. The working group will continue developing recommendations on the return of cultural items and the future management of museum collections, with support from consultancy firm Scriptis. The final advice is expected to help shape a more inclusive and cooperative approach to heritage management across the Kingdom. RCN

CBP BES: IND-CN Must Strengthen Protection of Citizens’ Personal Data

The Commission Supervision Personal Data Protection BES (CBP BES) has concluded that the Immigration and Naturalization Service Caribbean Netherlands (IND-CN) must take additional measures to better protect citizens’ personal data. Following an investigation into IND-CN’s handling of personal data and its compliance with the Personal Data Protection Law BES (Wbp BES), CBP BES found that while the organization understands its legal responsibilities and has a privacy statement in place, important shortcomings remain in the areas of data security, storage, access control, and data management. The Commission identified particular concerns regarding the Foreign Management System (FMS), which external parties largely manage. IND-CN currently lacks sufficient oversight of the system’s security and management. In addition, personal data is sometimes stored outside the system, increasing the risk of unauthorized access. CBP BES is especially concerned about the handling of sensitive information such as criminal record files and judicial data. The report stresses the need for clear rules governing access, storage, retention periods, and deletion of these data. The investigation also found that the information provided to citizens could be improved. The current privacy statement is only available in Dutch and may be difficult for many people to understand. CBP BES recommends that the statement be made available in the official languages of the Caribbean Netherlands and rewritten in plain language. The Commission is urging IND-CN to give priority to improvements in data security, governance, storage, access management, retention, and deletion practices. While IND-CN has already taken some steps, CBP BES warns that failure to implement the recommended measures could leave citizens’ personal data at risk and make it difficult for the organization to demonstrate compliance with privacy laws. CBP BES expects IND-CN to develop a clear implementation plan and complete the necessary improvements within established timeframes. The Commission will actively monitor progress through regular reporting and follow-up assessments. CBP BES

Law Enforcement Council Flags Risks in Screening of Justice Personnel

The Law Enforcement Council has identified significant risks in the screening and re-screening of justice personnel, concluding that current practices do not always comply with applicable laws and regulations. In a recently published report, the Council found that while all justice organizations require a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) for employment, some organizations are deviating from established screening procedures. In addition, mandatory security screenings are not always conducted or renewed on time, creating potential integrity and security risks. The Council notes that some organizations have expressed concerns about the limited information available through the current VOG process and have resorted to informal methods to gather additional background information on applicants. While recognizing the need for reliable screening, the Council emphasizes that all organizations must operate within the legal framework and warns that informal practices can themselves create integrity risks. The report also highlights shortcomings in the implementation of security screenings. Some positions are ineligible for screening because they lack formal designation as positions of confidence, and legally required five-year re-screenings are inconsistently conducted. The Council is urging immediate action to bring several organizations into compliance, specifically the Coast Guard, the Immigration and Border Protection Service (IGD), and the Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM). It also notes that the formal designation of confidential positions within the Coast Guard remains outstanding. To strengthen integrity and reliability across the justice sector, the Council has issued four recommendations aimed at improving compliance with screening requirements and safeguarding public trust. Law Enforcement Council