The meeting addressed key issues such as staff shortages, border protection, enforcement, and the shared challenges of operating on small islands with limited resources.
The Grote Driehoek brings together leaders responsible for justice and safety to coordinate responses that go beyond individual island boundaries. This edition was chaired by Attorney-General Guillano Schoop and included Island Governors Jonathan Johnson (Saba) and John Soliano (Bonaire); Chief Prosecutor BES Walter Kupers; Police Chief Alwin Braaf; Head of the Coast Guard support unit Sint Maarten Randy Paskel; and Claudia Toet, Director of Customs and the Tax Authority Caribbean Netherlands.
Joining online were Gerhard Smit (Royal Netherlands Marechaussee – KMar); Acting Island Governor of Statia, Sharon Hassell; and Caribbean Coast Guard Director Walter Hansen.
Supporting staff included Walle Bos (Head of Public Order and Safety, Public Entity Saba); Miriam Rollan (Senior Policy Adviser, OM Carib); Azaria de Groot (Legal Adviser, Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard); Deanneshury Epistola (Policy Adviser, Tax Authority and Customs Caribbean Netherlands); Terrence Jansen (Cabinet Secretary to the Island Governor of Bonaire); and Anna van der Lugt (Adviser, KPCN).
Governor Johnson noted that while regular meetings are held for Saba, broader discussions with other island leaders and justice officials are essential for tackling shared concerns. Acting Governor Hassell added that joint solutions are urgently needed for staff shortages in the police, fire brigade, customs, and KMar.
Governor Soliano highlighted the rise in youth crime on Bonaire and the importance of strong coordination to maintain safety across all three islands.
Attorney-General Schoop stated: “The challenges we face—limited capacity, distance, and scale—require joint planning. The Grote Driehoek allows us to align strategies and strengthen our response to regional issues.”
The Grote Driehoek continues to play a key role in safeguarding justice and public safety throughout the Caribbean Netherlands.
