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TCI: Letter to the Editor: “CRIME – It’s Everyone’s Business”

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#Providenciales, October 4, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – I literally cringe as I read my WhatsApp messages, followed by newspaper articles week after week detailing the tragic deaths of young men on the islands of Grand Turk and Provo. 

One must wonder, when will these senseless killings stop? As you know, bad news travels very fast, in most cases it’s embellished but partly true; wishing the stories were fibs. Living abroad for over 30 plus years, with the majority of my career spent in private and corporate investigations, I’m certainly not a novice to such crime trends.

Nevertheless, it’s disheartening to hear how the crime spree is tarnishing these beautiful by nature islands. By definition, I am not a criminologist, however, I have quite an extensive background and education in this particular arena. Therefore, why not share my expertise as crime is everyone’s business. I said that to say this. If we want to get serious about controlling crime, we must focus on the root causes, prevention, punishment and rehabilitation. All four of these areas are interdependent of each other. 

Root Causes: your preaching to the choir, as we all know how most of the weapons are getting into the country. The recent search and seizure of the boat that ran aground off great Sand Cay, where a cash of ammunition and guns were confiscated is quite evident. We have wide open borders and many deserted Cays to stash weapons for easy filtration into the mainland. The country has a coastal RADAR tracking station in South Dock, Providenciales, but is one unit enough? Is it strategically placed for maximum detection and interceptions? Even if the radar station in Provo picks up a signal near Grand Turk or great Sand Cay, do we have the available resources to respond and engage quickly? The Marine Police in Grand Turk do not have a working vessel. How will they respond I beg the differ. Proper detection mechanism for weapons and or drugs are also not in place to deal with the level of supplies that arrive on these cargo ships. So, it’s like catch me if you can. Do we have a trained harbor master in Grand Turk?

While on the beach, I have personally had yacht captains come ashore on their dingy and walked up to me asking directions to Customs and immigration departments. Who is conducting proper searches on their boats? This is not war time for the Britt’s. Why aren’t we putting the necessary pressure on them to provide us with one of their decommissioned Navy vessels to patrol our waters as frequently as the US Coast Guard does? We can’t depend solely on the US or the Bahamas Royal Navy, they have their own problems and limited resources. 

Prevention: Quoting the old cliché, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. A little precaution before a crisis occurs is preferable to a lot of fixing up afterward. I’m excited to see we now have a native in top level management in the law enforcement department who better understands the culture of our youth and is in position to make collective decisions. Not to take away anything from the great progress we’ve made with putting a dent in crime, but we must do more as it seems we are being more reactive then proactive? It must start with building relationships and trust within communities and introducing new neighborhood watch programs. This will help to stop nuisance crimes and provide the needed intelligence to address serious crimes. 

I believe the most significant contribution to short and long term crime reduction, besides a good education, will come from the early identification of young people at risk of offending behavior, and implementing sound programs to help them make better life choices – choices that will benefit them, their families and their communities at large. This is where more help is needed from our Civic leaders.  Having an anti-gang strategy and targeting gang activity directly would assist in this push to reduce crime. I have seen the devastating blow uncontrolled gang activity can have on a community to include innocent bystanders. Safety and security are not just a policing issue, the whole of government has a role to play, along with communities themselves contributing and bridging that gap. Our police officers have never dealt with this level of gang related violence to no fault of their own. Why aren’t we requesting assistance from countries like the US, who have long been plagued with these kinds of behaviors and have trained experts in this area? 

Punishment: I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, there is no silver bullet to solving these complex issues but our leaders and law enforcement must and I repeat “MUST” continue to explore endless measures to see what are the most effective ways to get to the core of crime reduction. Crime and punishment go hand in hand, which should include taking a closer look into our prison system. Our we creating a Ritz Carlton service for prisoners or an inconvenience? They are labeled prisoners for a reason. I have had the opportunity to visit our prison system on numerous occasions and although we have improved in some areas in terms of tighter security, what I saw was repugnant.

Prisoners wearing the most expensive sneakers, clothing of the latest style, having groceries delivered that can fill a small convenience store, families bringing in cooked meals etc. Is this prison to you? I’m an advocate for human rights, but we must reevaluate the true purpose of the prison system and its intended purpose. It was not designed for luxury but as a punishment for crimes committed. 

Here is some food for thought.

1. Why are the prisoners not wearing uniforms? During my visits, most times you cannot differentiate the prisoners from the visitors.

2. Why are we allowing cooked food and groceries to be brought in?

3. The prison should have their own commissary which is a more controlled environment and reduces the opportunity for entry of drugs, phones and makeshift weapons.

4. Chain gang, what happened to those days? While growing up in Grand Turk, low risk prisoners were required to clean the streets, why not return to those bygone days. Back then, it was a shame to be seen in prison clothes on the street.

5. Why are repeat offenders being released within 30 to 60 days?

6. What background check if any, is being done on deportees back to this country?  

Rehabilitation: A holistic approach to crime control is what’s needed. Inclusive of the role Mental health counseling and anger management classes can have. All are areas needing attention in this developing country. Mental health has been a taboo for far too long and can no longer be ignored and if left untreated, it could have wide reaching impact such as what we are seeing today in relation to the recidivism rate and growing violent crimes among teens. If you look at the profile of the individuals committing crimes in our communities, they are primary older teens or young adults.

In my opinion, they are not inherently bad kids, just are impressionable, conflicted young people wrestling with emotions and impulses. Unless a heinous crime is committed, locking them away in the prison population is not the answer. An adequate facility with psychological treatment and trained counselors is what’s needed. Let’s face it, technically we do not have life sentences in the Turks and Caicos. Therefore, at some point these prisoners will eventually be released into society.

Now what? They’re still grappling with the same mental problems. The threat of longer prison sentences, no matter how severe, will not deter anyone who believes their crimes will not be detected and they can get away with it. It will also not deter those who are too overcome by emotion or disordered thinking or to care about the consequences of their behavior.

We are dealing with a different type of criminal today, most with low self-esteem, hostility, pleasure- or thrill-seekers and lack of empathy. Let’s invest in our youth now.Here are some of our short- and long-term needs.  A. Stronger community policing focusing on one community at a time.

B. Trade schools for our youth, geared specifically toward curriculum that drives economic development.

C. Summer programs for our youth and at-risk children.

D. Law enforcement need Seg-ways not SUV’s for our road patrol, particularly in smaller communities.

E. We need to do a better job with promoting the existing crime stoppers program with focus on confidentiality and incentives.

F. Government needs to provide all branches of law enforcement the needed resources to prevent and help fight crime. 

In conclusion, there were many newspaper articles written on crime and recommended solutions. However, the reality is, Britain now controls our purse string. So, our local representatives must do a better job at prioritizing and communicating what can be done within their limited budget and scope of powers. This will soften the blow on unfulfilled promises.

Sometimes it’s not just the major projects, it could be simple projects that can make a huge difference. For example, street lighting in select areas that are dimly lit to help deter crime. These projects may not require an absorbent amount of allocated funds but can have an impressionable impact on ordinary citizens and keep hope alive for our nation.


Ed Forbes – Concerned citizen in GT

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Health

Ministry of Health and Human Services Launched Electronic Patient Care Report (Ambpro)

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The Ministry of Health and Human Services proudly announces the successful launch of the Electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR), marking a historic milestone in emergency healthcare services. The official unveiling ceremony took place on March 12, 2024 at the Atrium conference room.

In attendance were distinguished dignitaries, including  Deputy Premier and Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, Honourable Jamell Robinson; Minister of Health and Human Services, Honourable Shaun D. Malcolm; Minister of Tourism, Environment, Maritime, Culture, Heritage and Religious Affairs, Honourable Josephine Connolly; Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services, Honourable Rachel Taylor; the Minister of Immigration and Border Services, Honourable Arlington Musgrove; and the Permanent Secretary of Health, Mrs Desiree Lewis, who recognized the significance of the ePCR system in promoting public health and safety. Their presence underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to investing in healthcare infrastructure and technological advancements to better serve the needs of the population. Thus reaffirming their support for initiatives aimed at improving emergency healthcare services and strengthening the National Emergency Medical Service’s capabilities.

During the launch event, the Minister of Health and Human Services highlighted the transformative impact of the ePCR system on patient care and emergency response efforts. Emphasizing the importance of innovation in healthcare, the Minister expressed gratitude to the dedicated team of professionals who contributed to the development and implementation of the ground breaking technology. The Deputy Premier praised the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of the ePCR system, affirming its potential to revolutionize emergency medical services especially the pre-hospital management of citizens and visitors across the country.

The Director of Emergency Medical Services, Mr. Andy Brijmohansingh, spoke passionately about the importance of embracing technology to advance patient care. “The introduction of the Electronic Patient Care Report marks a new chapter in our commitment to providing high-quality emergency medical services,” said Mr Brijmohansingh. “This innovative system empowers our teams with the tools they need to deliver swift and effective care, while ensuring that patient information is accurately captured and securely shared.”

The Electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR) represents a significant advancement in the National Ambulance Service’s mission to deliver efficient and high-quality emergency medical care to citizens across the nation. Developed with cutting-edge technology and meticulous attention to detail, the ePCR system streamlines the documentation process, enhances communication, and ensures the seamless transfer of patient information between emergency responders and healthcare facilities.

The launch of the Electronic Patient Care Report marks a new chapter in the evolution of emergency medical services, promising enhanced efficiency, accuracy, and patient outcomes. With its implementation, the National Emergency Medical Services reaffirms its dedication to providing timely and effective care to individuals in their time of need.

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Education

Ministry of Education launches 2024 Season of Scholarship Applications

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 6th March, 2024– The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services would like to announce the launch of the 2024 scholarship application season which opens on March 11th 2024. This initiative offers invaluable opportunities for Turks and Caicos Islanders to apply for scholarship opportunities within the Ministry’s priority areas.  For more information on our priority areas please visit our website at https://gov.tc/scholarshipsecretariat

Estimated awards within each award category as follows: –

  • Standard Financial Assistance ………………………………………………….(55) including:

o    Cadet Financial Assistance …………………………………………………(2)

o    The TCI Hope Award …………………………………………………………..(2)

o    Intl. Associate’s Degree / A-Level awards ……………………… (3)

o    TCICC Academic Excellence Award …………………………………..(7-preselected)

  • Athletic Financial Assistance ……………………………………………………..(3)
  • National Scholars Awards ………………………………………………………….(4 -preselected)
  • Special Needs Students Financial Assistance Award ……………(2)
  • BWIC – GCE Advanced Level …………………………………………………….(3)

Explanatory notes in the link provided above outlines the criteria for each award category.

Our new application method

Our new application method for financial assistance marks a departure from traditional email or paper submissions; all applications must now be submitted exclusively through tcig-nefa.grantplatform.com/. Utilizing the Good Grants platform, an internationalized grant-making platform, applicants can easily apply online by clicking the provided link.

Dates

  • Application deadline: 30th May, 2024 at [11:59 pm] [EST]
  • Please note the application deadline, this date is final and there will be no extensions provided for the initial submission. The system will automatically prevent application submission after the deadline.
  • There is an extension date for the below documents IF NECESSARY up to June 30th.
    • Acceptance Letter
    • Transcript
  • Successful applicants will be notified in early August 2024.

Support

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the Scholarship Secretariat Unit by email to [scholarshipsecretariat@tciedu.tc]. DO NOT SEND APPLICATION SUBMISSION TO THIS ADDRESS.

  • You may edit your application after submitting, up until the deadline date.
  • Please make sure all your personal details are entered accurately, including contact details, so that we may contact you if your application is successful.
  • You are allowed to submit to more than one category, as long as the work submitted meets the criteria. However you can only be awarded 1 award.
  • You can use the ‘copy’ feature to create a copy of your application and change the category as required.

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Education

Department of Special Education Needs Services makes strides at CEC 2024 convention and Expo

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The Department of Special Education Needs Services (SENS) has marked a significant milestone in its journey towards enhancing services for exceptional learners through its participation in the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) 2024 Convention and Expo, held in San Antonio, Texas March 12th to 16th 2024. This event, renowned for its dedication to advancing the field of special education, provided a platform for our team to immerse themselves in a wealth of knowledge and resources.

The convention, with a rich history of fostering collaboration and innovation, focused on sensitizing attendees to global initiatives in special education. Our team, consisting of four professionals from the Department of Special Education Needs Services; Mrs. Paulette Simmons – Special Education Teacher at SNAP Center, Jamiliyah Jordan – Speech and Language Pathologist, Christina Joseph – Behavioural Analyst, Lashaunda Skippings – Coordinator of Assessments and one representative from the Department of Education, Mrs. Faaida James – Special Education Officer benefited immensely from four days of information-packed workshops, networking opportunities, and exposure to cutting-edge assistive technologies and programs.

 CEC 2024 Convention and Expo has been a driving force in shaping the landscape of special education. Each year, it gathers professionals, researchers, and advocates to exchange ideas, share best practices, and explore innovative solutions to support individuals with exceptional needs.

 Lashaunda Skippings, Coordinator of Assessments, and a part of the team, shared her thoughts on the convention, stating, “ The CEC 2024 Convention exceeded my anticipations. It was incredibly enlightening and stimulated thoughtful reflection. I am grateful for the openness of presenters who shared their exemplary practices in Special Education, that address the needs of students with disabilities globally.”

Dr. Anya Malcolm, Director of Special Education Needs Services, expressed her excitement about the department’s progress, stating, “The thrill that fills the department and the parents as initiatives in Special Education Needs falls into place remarkably is tangible. We are dedicated to utilizing the knowledge and experiences gained from events like CEC 2024 to further enhance our services and support for exceptional learners.”

 Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, and Social Services, expressed her commendation for the Department of Special Education Needs Services, stating, “I commend the Department of Special Education Needs Services for their unwavering dedication and proactive stance in participating in the CEC 2024 Convention and Expo. The Ministry acknowledges the pivotal role of such initiatives in elevating the standards of special education services and fostering the comprehensive development of exceptional learners nationwide.” 

 The Department of Special Education Needs Services remains committed to its mission of providing comprehensive and inclusive support to individuals with special needs. Through continuous learning, collaboration, and innovation, we strive to create a nurturing environment where every exceptional learner can thrive.

 For more information about the Department of Special Education Needs Services and its initiatives, please contact sens@gov.tc.

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