By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, June 5, 2023 – The UK government is well aware of the escalation of the issues the  Turks and Caicos is plagued with as it relates to irregular migration.  Even the Royal Family is clued in to the size of the problem according to Premier, Washington Misick.

“As it stands at the moment, this is our piece of the globe that we have to protect and we will do everything we can to prevent the degradation of the conditions within the Turks and Caicos islands,” he vowed.

The country leader was speaking at a national address to introduce Operation PURSUIT in response to exponential levels of migrants trying to breach the country’s borders.  The Premier said assistance would be coming from the United Kingdom in short order, including the possibility of more permanent marine support, which some residents think the UK should provide, since they are responsible for national security in the country.

Misick refused to preempt what the UK would announce, but expressed confidence that help was on the way.  In addition to that he said he was in conversation with CARICOM and the US as well.

“The Prime Minister of The Bahamas is the president of CARICOM at the moment, I am indeed engaged with the Prime Minister. We have had conversations, also I have raised the issue with the Ministry of Defense in the United States so some wheels are turning.  Hopefully we will collectively be able to assist Haiti,” he said.

Operation PURSUIT, launched on May 23, is designed to curb crimes linked to irregular migration and human smuggling, is now in operation.

#TurksandCaicos, June 5, 2023 – The quaint island of Salt Cay came together for a farewell and appreciation ceremony for outgoing District Commissioner Mrs. Almaida Wilson in honour of her exemplary service and commitment to the community.  Mrs. Wilson has served as the District Commissioner since 2016 and has been in the public service for over thirty (30) years.   In her remarks on the day, Acting Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams, expressed her thanks to Mrs. Wilson for her years of service after voluntarily retiring in 2012, for coming back into the service and serving the people on Salt Cay.

The Premier Hon. C. Washington Misick expressed his respect and thanks to Mrs. Wilson, whom he said: “provided fine service to the people of Salt Cay.” He added, “Although you are retiring from this job, I know this community will always hold a special place in your heart.”

The Acting Governor in her role as Head of the Public Service also introduced the incoming District Commissioner, Ms. Aisha Thomas, who took up her post on 1st June 2023.  Ms. Thomas, who has experience in finance and has worked in public service, gave an impassioned speech laying out her vision and excitement about taking up the new post.

In the presence of the Acting Governor, Premier, Cabinet Ministers, Leader of the Opposition, Government Officials, and the community of Salt Cay, Deputy Commissioner of Police Mr. Rodney Adams commissioned the new Salt Cay Police Post in the person of Constable Stanley Been.  Addressing the need for more community policing, Deputy Commissioner Adams thanked the community of Salt Cay, who had waited for the Police Post stationed on the island, and the day has now arrived.

The morning ceremony on Tuesday, 30^th May concluded with a light reception and music from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force Band.

By Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

#TurksandCaicos, June 6, 2023 – The momentum and support is growing for the international commemoration of Gun Violence Awareness Day in the Turks and Caicos Islands; for a third year Sharla Walkin and those who have partnered with her has ensured there was a time of reflection and open grievance for the scores of people killed as a result of gun violence.

Walkin, whose brother Ervin Walkin was shot several times in the back as he walked on Albacore Close in Providenciales in 2018, was just 27 years old and left behind a devastated family including two sons.  His sister was shattered when she got the call, struggled to sleep after the savage way her “humble” brother was killed but found a way to cope.  Walkin tells the story that she found out about a day to remember as a community and as a nation and put plans in motion to commemorate Gun Violence Awareness Day in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

That was in 2021.

In picking up the pieces of her life, Ms. Walkin stood initially with just a few people to mark the moment on the first Friday in June.  Three years later and the Turks and Caicos event has attracted more victims’ relatives, prominent members of society and senior leaders of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police.

“To the families, friends, and loved ones gathered here, we are here for you; we will continue to be with you. I wish to say to you that I am sorry for your loss, I am sorry for the years of pain that you have endured. I am sorry for the fact that there are too many young people turning to a life of crime. Even though sorry will not bring your loved ones back, I empathize with you. The tears you shed also wet our faces too often,” said Rodney Adams, Deputy Commissioner of Police.

The Turks and Caicos Islands has seen a dramatic escalation in gun crimes with losses far beyond what anyone could have imagined for the cluster of close-knit islands, which enjoyed almost surreal levels of peace.  Now, with consecutive years of record breaking murder figures and a per capita homicide rate that puts the TCI at the top of the heap, it stands with CARICOM in sounding the alarm about the devastating loss in human lives due largely to the overwhelming surge in gun trafficking flowing from the United States into the islands; which ‘do not manufacture weapons.’

The US has become a stronger ally in recent years, stopping several gun shipments from its shores including one such interception to the TCI, thwarted in November 2022.

Gun Violence, Wear Orange Day is a relevant reminder and was again this year held in the Memorial Garden of the Turks and Caicos National Trust managed, Cheshire Hall Plantation.

The Royal TCI Police provided photographs of the support drawn to the tranquil spot to reflect as a community on the heavy price being paid due to the infiltration and savage use of illegal firearms.

Deputy Commissioner Adams, in addressing the gathering which included the wife of the late, Rev Percy Williams, who was gunned down inside his Blue Hills home in another shocking, unprovoked attack in 2020, said about the investigations  “ into the murders of your loved ones are ongoing and we continue in our sustained efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

Orange was worn by thousands this past weekend.

In the United States is where the day was born, following a random shooting that took the life of a little Chicago girl in 2013.   Hadiya Pendleton, a 15 year old honour student had just been part of a parade with the ushering in of second term president, Barack Obama a week prior, when she was shot at a playground in her hometown.

Orange is the colour selected because it is also the colour worn by hunters to protect themselves from becoming a target and shot, when out on hunting expeditions.

For Sharla, who also uses her business, Healing Haven to remember her brother, a series of beautiful bracelets have been designed, featuring orange jade and a message of love for her lost brother.

“If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.”

She explained, “I think a lot of people thought I was doing it only for my brother, he was the reason I started but I also wanted to acknowledge because we have quite a few young men that we lost to Gun violence and even young women.”

Captions

Header: Relatives of the deceased victims join hands and sing “Bind Us Together”.

1st insert: The widow of Percy Williams chats with DCP Rodney Adams. Williams was shot dead on May 03^rd, 2020, at his Blue Hills, Providenciales home.

 2nd insert: Nadidja Parker reads the names of murdered victims.