News

CAC Reminds Parents Of Basic Safety Measures For Children

Published

11 years ago

August 24, 2015

KINGSTON, Aug. 20 (JIS): As the new school year approaches, the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is reminding parents of some basic safety measures that should be considered, in preparing children for back-to-school.
“While it is the role of the CAC to advise parents on how to get the best value for money, through proper planning and money management, it is equally important that we remind them of the important issue of the safety of their children,” Communications Specialist at the CAC, Dorothy Campbell, told
JIS News.

She said it is important that parents and guardians teach the children, especially the very young ones, about ways in which they can defend themselves and avoid incidence that may place them in dangerous or harmful situations.
Miss Campbell added that it is the parents’ responsibility to teach their children how to react and what actions to take during an incident.

“Parents should teach their children their addresses and telephone numbers. Teach them at home to dial family members…dial grandma and auntie at intervals,” she advised.

“Do not underestimate them at all…if you teach them safety tips, they will remember,” she emphasised.
Another point of consideration is how children should operate at school. The children must understand that they should not be left alone in a classroom and that they must walk in groups, not alone.

“Instruct them that if they see something suspicious on the playground to go to a teacher, an adult or scream or shout to get some attention,” the Communications Specialist said.
Important too, she continued, is that they learn “not to take rides from strangers, even if they tell them that you (the parent) sent them.”

Critical also, is that “parents should develop a good relationship with the child’s teacher, so that they will know exactly what you want them to do in case of an emergency,” Miss Campbell pointed out.

For the older children, “it is important for you to be present at the
Parent Teachers’ Association (PTA) meetings,” she said.

“If you are not aware of what is happening with your child, or what is taking place at the school, you won’t be able to help them, and if the school is not aware of what is happening with you at home, they won’t be able to assist your child,” she added.

Miss Campbell recommended to parents the following basic safety tips as a guide towards a comprehensive safety plan:
• Teach your child his or her full names, that is, the parents’ names and the child’s own name. Do not use pet names, as this may confuse your child.
• Teach children the name of their street and full address.
• Take them on the route to and from school during the weekend. Point out important landmarks that are not likely to change.
• Have a specific person or persons pick up your child and establish a pattern of calling to report any changes in the arrangements. Introduce the person you know and trust to the classroom teacher. If someone else other than this person is going to pick up your child, inform the child, the school’s administrative office and his or her teacher.
• Write emergency information inside the child’s bag (not on the outside), and in certain books, including your contact numbers, address and any other important details, for example, the child’s allergies or special illness. Stitch it inside the bag if you can. Papers get lost but the bag should last for at least two semesters.
• Teach the child safe routes, the road code, how to cross the street using the pedestrian crossing, how to walk carefully, not running across the road, and facing oncoming traffic, and not to play in the road.
• Establish a time when your child should be at a particular destination. Call to ensure that he or she is there. Call on someone you trust to check on your child while you are away at work.

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Bahamas News

Royal Bahamas Police Force – ARRAIGNMENT NOTICE

Published

1 day ago

August 27, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.

The individuals and charges are as follows:

An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:

Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving

The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.

The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.

The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.

The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.

The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.

A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:

Murder

The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.

A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:

Murder
Attempted Murder

These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.

RBPF, PACD

News

Saunders Tells Caribbean Media: Be Seen, Be Heard – But What About TCI

Published

4 days ago

August 25, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”

Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”

Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.

The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.

Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.

Saunders believes AI can help.

He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.

He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.

His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”

For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.

That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us

Bahamas News

Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday

Published

1 week ago

August 20, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.

Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.

According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.

The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.

Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.

However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.

The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.

PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band