News

Missing Children Down

Published

10 years ago

September 5, 2014

KINGSTON, Sept. 3 (JIS): The Office of the Children’s Registry (OCR) is reporting a decline of 19 per cent in the number of children reported missing for the period January to June 2014, when compared to the corresponding period in 2013.
This was disclosed by Registrar of the OCR, Greig Smith, during a press conference held at the Office of the Prime Minister, on September 3.
Mr. Smith noted that despite the decline, the OCR is mindful that there is still a lot of work to be done, to ensure that children remain in their homes and feel secure being there.
“The fact that fewer children are going missing means our messages are having an impact. However, we remain conscious of the fact that we must work assiduously to improve the rate of recovery of missing children,” he said.
Mr. Smith also informed that preliminary data indicate that 11,018 reports of child abuse were received by the OCR for the period January to December 2013, representing an increase of 26 per cent over the 2012 period.
“Of the reports received, 8,679 represented children who were being reported on for the first time. Of this amount, 57 per cent were girls, 41 per cent were boys, while the gender for the remaining 2 per cent was not specified,” he said.
He noted that neglect was the most common report received by the OCR throughout 2013, representing 48 per cent of all reports, and that the other categories which featured high were reports of children in need of care and protection and children who were sexually abused, which accounted for 39 and 30 per cent, respectively.
Mr. Smith said that with the exception of trafficking, which remained unchanged compared to 2012, increases were observed in all types of reports, ranging from 20 to 53 per cent.
“Reports of child labour (increasing by 53 per cent), led the increases in the types of reports received. There were 319 reports of child labour for 2013, compared to 209 reports recorded in 2012. Reports of children exhibiting behavioural problems and those in need of care and protection were featured in the top three percentage increase in the types of abuse reported over the period, registering increases of 44 per cent and 40 per cent, respectively,” he noted.
He also informed that reports on the other major types of abuse, such as physical, emotional and neglect saw an average increase of 22 per cent in 2013.
In terms of missing children, 984 children were reported missing for the period January to June 2014 (222 boys and 762 girls), and of this amount, 614 have since returned. However, two of the missing children were found dead and 368 are still missing.
Meanwhile, in order to improve the rate of recovery for missing children, the Office of the Children’s Registry initiated search and rescue training across the island on a phased basis, beginning with the parishes of St. Thomas, St. Catherine, St. Ann, Trelawny and St. James between April and July this year.
The participants trained included nurses, educators, ministers of religion, guidance counsellors, children’s officer, fire personnel, parish disaster coordinators, civil servants, probation officers, members of the judiciary as well as representatives from various non-governmental and community-based organisations.
Mr. Smith also informed that the OCR will be printing and distributing 3,000 copies of search and rescue protocol manuals, developed to provide guidance in finding missing children.
These manuals will be disseminated in schools, residential child care facilities, government ministries, departments and agencies, private sector companies, among others, and will also be available for download on our website at www.ocr.gov.jm, following a workshop that will be held to launch the document,” he said.
For her part, OCR Child Ambassador for Region Four (St. James), Suzanna Hyde, said that children have a critical role to play in the fight against child abuse and missing children.
She urged that children should refuse to divulge private information, such as home address and telephone numbers to others without their parents’ consent.
To make a report of a missing child, persons can call the OCR at
1-888-PROTECT (776-8328) or Police at 119.

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News

InvestTCI facilitates the Development Agreement Between TCIG and Molo Hotel Group

Published

2 days ago

May 14, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.

Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.

Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.

Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.

Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.

The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.

Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”

He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”

Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion

Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.

Crime

Male Charged with Robbery

Published

3 days ago

May 13, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have charged a man who allegedly stole a vehicle.

The accused, DANVANTE BRISCO, 30, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was charged with:

One Count: Robbery
One Count: Taking Motor Vehicle Without Authority
One Count: Using Offensive Weapon to cause fear

Mr. BRISCO appeared in court today (May 13 ) and was granted bail of $7500.00 with one surety.

The matter was adjourned to July 05 for a Sufficiency Hearing.

Crime

Dock Yard Male Charged

Published

3 days ago

May 13, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male appeared in court today (May 13th) charged with a series of firearm-related offences.

The accused, JAMES SIMON, was denied bail and remanded into custody pending a Sufficiency Hearing scheduled for July 05^th, 2024.

Mr. SIMON faces the following charges: 

One Count: Robbery;
One Count: Gang Membership
One Count: Possession of a Firearm for the Benefit of a Gang
One Count: Possession of Ammunition for the Benefit of a Gang.

The charges against Mr. Simon followed investigations by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force into a robbery at the parking lot of a Casino where three males robbed a victim.

Additionally, Mr. Simon is charged with the following offences, having been arrested on May 02^nd, 2024, along South Dock Road.