#TurksandCaicos, November 24, 2017 – Providenciales – The Five Cays Police station has been closed down and the official notice came in a National Security Council meeting last week Friday, reportedly as a surprise to the elected Government who are members of the council. In a report on what took place during that session where the Governor, Premier, Deputy Premier and Commissioner were all present, it is said that, “The lease on RTCIPF stations in Blue Hills and Five Cays has been terminated, with those areas being covered by Grace Bay and Chalk Sound respectively.”
The information on the NSC meeting came exactly 48 minutes following a WhatsApp post by Magnetic Media about the Five Cays station being shut down and questioning the absence of a democratic process in the decision. While the station, some residents say, made only a weak impression in the way of outreach or interaction in the Community – with not even a walk about by Police officers in recent memory, others say it made Police closer to the people.
Our editorial question was who is really the boss when a decision can be taken to close up the police precincts without consultation with elected government or the people of Five Cays and Blue Hills. National Security is the UK’s responsibility, however, our editorial reminds that the Turks and Caicos people are paying for it and have a right to be included in significant decisions like these. Similarly for Blue Hills, which is the largest residential area of the country and an area with problems of crime.
The Police Station is now officially closed, though there has been little to no action at the site prior to the decision; like Five Cays residents report – no Community outreach, no walk abouts by the Police Force. On Tuesday night, Grants Gas Station located right next door to the now vacant police post was robbed. Certainly in that case, a Police station there would likely have discouraged that crime.
Magnetic Media has reached out to the Commissioner of Police, James Smith on the decision with no reply. We reached out to the Governor who told us to go to the communications officer of the Police, who has also not replied and we await word from the elected Government on their reaction to this move.
The NSC meeting report does not say why the two police stations were closed.
#MagneticMediaNews
#FiveCayspolicestationclosure
