TCI News

TCI: The time I hated my country

Published

7 years ago

June 28, 2019

#Providenciales, June 28, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – I was born in the 1970’s in the capital island of Grand Turk, a time when my country was the third world of the third world. Those born before me and around that time would understand what I mean. There was no running water. Drums and water cisterns held our water, and we accessed this water using buckets. Our baths occurred in small tubs and if you were fortunate, you were the first or the second person who took a bath in that same water.

We had limited electricity in our homes, 3 TV channels (and 2 which didn’t work) and an antenna on the roof that had to be positioned at the right angle to make it work. Our food was cooked some days on a cold stove by my grandfather who’s intentions were really good but didn’t rescue us from the fact that he never learned to cook until much later in his life. We walked barefooted as we only had a single pair of what was called our “GOOD SHOES”.

I can also recall some days attending primary school without shoes. For fun, we played marbles, went fishing, ran behind horses, donkeys, goats and chickens, played with a bicycle tyre or wheel and pulled a klim can.

With all that said it was surprisingly a good life. No worries or concerns and we were at our happiest with what little we had. Then my mom decided to study in New York in the mid-80’s. As an only child, she took me with her. A new place in the big city!

At first I asked, how could she take me from my good life in my third world home and force upon me a strange life in the concrete jungle? But wait, the concrete jungle was actually better than my home! We had running water and good food. I mean who would turn down New York style pizza and Burger King? Chinese food to die for? We had access to the latest toys, video games and fashion and my TV had all 12 analog channels. I was living my best life.

This is the point at which I started to hate my home. How could I have been born in such a place? A place so harsh, so dissolute and so backward? I asked God why did He do that to us? Why would you place my ancestors in such a place and made life so hard for us? Why couldn’t I be born and raised in the US and not know about such a place called the Turks and Caicos, which none of my classmates in New York knew about and wasn’t even on the world map to show to them during geography lessons?

Imagine trying to explain something that does not exist according to the latest world map at that time? I was the laughing stock of the class.

My mother finished her degree in 2 years and my time in New York came to an end and it was time to return to my home. But home to what? As far as I knew, nothing had changed. I knew that the conditions were the same. “Home sweet home,” as it is so gloriously stated.

I returned home and could not wait for the day I could escape again return to New York to live for good. But something interesting happened. My presence on these isles made me fall in love with my home all over again. The saying that one must be “in the room” in order to appreciate the experience sounds true when it comes to the TCI. I did not want to live in any other place on this earth.

I was indeed fortunate enough to return to New York for college and I would captivate audiences with my stories of a place no one in the room knew about. A place so geographically close to the US but it seemed so far in the minds of my audience. I returned home knowing that I had a contribution to make to a developing country. A country that gave me a scholarship, which helped me achieved my goals. A country that I thought could be the best country in the world.

Fast forward to today, I have watched my country develop tremendously in my life-time and become my concept of New York to so many people. However, my recent concerns lie with the answer to the question, for whose benefit has this country become so developed? Who is currently out there reaping the benefits of the best country in the world? Certainly not its home-grown people! Certainly, not the descendants of those whose backs were broken by whips and wounds treated by labouring further in salt! Certainly, not the people who remained and called this place home before the world even had a glimmer of its possible existence!

The question which arises is, why? Why haven’t and why shouldn’t the people and their descendants who first loved and cared for this place when there was nothing to gain be the first to benefit from their country’s development?

In Jamaica, the Jamaicans benefit from their country’s growth. In the Dominican Republic, it is the Dominicans who benefit before anyone else. In Cuba, the theory is that the Cubans benefit alone. Even in Haiti, with all its turmoil, it is still the Haitian who benefits where there are benefits available. In America, the American benefits. In Canada, the Canadians benefit.

Why is it that in Turks and Caicos the Turks and Caicos Islander has no benefit to look forward to? Why is it that the first harvest of benefits are seemingly distributed amongst everyone else other that the native person with the native person left to graze the field with the hope of collecting any fallen residue?

My fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders, when will we wake up and take back the control and enjoyment of our country? When will we work together and do the things that we need to do to put our people first? When will we put our differences aside and focus on us, our children and our children’s children?

It appears that we are the only group to be falling behind as the country moves forward. We are very close to becoming 4^th Class citizens any day now in a country which is rightfully our own! Those foreign to our shores already look upon us with disdain and many of us can relate to stares and frowns, within our own home, which question our very right to exist, let alone our right to benefit first.

A colleague suggested to me that writing this article would amount to a waste of time because all Turks and Caicos Islanders are aware of the problems I write about, yet no one will seize the opportunity to take action. What will we do, at this point? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! And this absolutely nothing will lead to our further demise. I am not oblivious to the fact that taking action will create discomfort.

However, history teaches us that sometimes we need to become a little uncomfortable and seriously restless in order to recognize and aggressively pursue the opportunities and benefits wrongfully withheld from us and routinely exploited for personal gain by those entrusted with the power to govern on our behalf.

I write with the hope that my colleague would be proven wrong. I write this as a call to action. A cry for justice. A summons to every Turks and Caicos Islander to join hands and to fight for our country. What’s at stake is bigger than your party affiliation! Let us do what we need to do to secure a future for our children. Let’s put our differences aside for a time and fight for the greater good. A cause much bigger than self. Are you ready? I know I am.

Today, I will ask my people to sign a petition as one united front to have our Constitution restored as per the recommendations in 2015. To restore the constitutional power to the people we elect to represent us. This is the start that we need for a brighter future. This is not a PDM or a PNP issue or problem. The problem affects all of us who live in the country. Let’s show the world that we can unite and operate at a level bigger than politics and set our country on the right foot to prosperity.

Our goal is to get enough signatures from the voting population of the country that the powers that be will give the people of this country a referendum to decide if they want their constitution restored or not. LET’S RESTORE THE POWER BACK TO THE PEOPLE ONE SIGNATURE AT A TIME!!!

Anyone interested in helping or volunteering with this cause, please contact me on (649) 232-3382 or email me at Malcolm_Deveraux@Hotmail.com.

Release: Malcolm Deveraux

Crime

Human Trafficking Probe Revealed as Police Warn of Growing Teen Crime Concern

Published

3 days ago

June 23, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

Turks and Caicos, June 23, 2026 – A police briefing intended to update the public on crime trends in the Turks and Caicos Islands instead exposed what may be one of the most significant criminal investigations currently underway in the country.

When questioned about the June 14 shooting on Bible Street, Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey revealed that the incident stemmed from an anti-human trafficking operation during which 12 women believed to be victims of human trafficking were rescued by law enforcement.

“The officers were engaged in an anti-human trafficking operation… 12 females were rescued or victims of human trafficking were rescued, and they are in our care and that investigation is advanced,” Bailey told reporters.

The revelation stunned many who had linked the Bible Street shooting to other recent violent incidents, including the June 12 murder in Five Cays. However, the Commissioner indicated the confrontation was connected to the anti-human trafficking investigation, though he declined to provide further details due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing case.

More than a week later, authorities continue to maintain that the investigation remains active. Magnetic Media has confirmed with police officials that no arrests have yet been made in connection with the alleged human trafficking operation.

The Commissioner also sounded the alarm over what appears to be an emerging trend involving teenage boys and serious criminal activity. In discussing recent incidents, Bailey suggested that some young offenders are operating within organized criminal networks and warned that law enforcement alone cannot solve the growing problem.

“My experience tells me that once they reach a threshold it is very difficult to bring them back,” Bailey said. “The social agencies will have to get involved. We have to find a way to reach these unattached youth and to engage them and to create that positive reinforcement in their life.”

Despite those concerns, Bailey reported that overall crime in the Turks and Caicos Islands continues to trend sharply downward.

According to police statistics presented at the briefing, murders have fallen from 13 at this point last year to just one in 2026, representing a 92 percent reduction. Attempted murders have fallen by 100 percent, kidnappings by 75 percent, robberies by 34 percent, aggravated burglaries by 22 percent, firearm possession offences by 50 percent and incidents involving the discharge of firearms by 85 percent. Police reported that nearly every major category of serious crime has declined compared to the same period last year.

The lone murder recorded in the Turks and Caicos Islands for 2026 occurred on June 12 in Five Cays. While no arrest has been made in that case, the Commissioner indicated that investigators believe they know who is responsible.

“I am convinced and I am positive that the perpetrator is a teenager,” Bailey stated.

The press conference was held at Police Headquarters in Providenciales.

Crime

Rape Only Major Crime Category to Increase in Turks and Caicos

Published

3 days ago

June 23, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

Turks and Caicos, June 23, 2026 – While nearly every major category of serious crime is trending downward in the Turks and Caicos Islands, police statistics reveal one troubling exception: rape.

Speaking during a press conference at Police Headquarters in Providenciales, Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey reported a five percent increase in rape cases compared to the same period last year, making it the only major crime category to record an increase in 2026.

The increase comes as police celebrate dramatic reductions in murders, attempted murders, kidnappings, robberies and firearm-related offences.

However, Bailey cautioned that the statistics surrounding rape cases are often more complex than they initially appear.

Responding to a question from the media, the Commissioner explained that some complainants report rape but later choose not to support police investigations. In other cases, the alleged offender is known to the complainant, creating additional challenges for investigators.

“We have some of those reports where persons make allegations which have not been proven because they will come and say they have been raped, but they do not support an investigation,” Bailey explained.

The Commissioner stressed that police are required to document and investigate all reports made to law enforcement, regardless of whether a complainant later decides not to proceed.

“Once you make a report, we have to record it and we have to fulfil our obligation,” he said.

Bailey also noted that in many reported cases, the alleged perpetrators are individuals known to the complainants.

While acknowledging that some reports may ultimately not result in charges or convictions, the Commissioner emphasized that every allegation must be treated seriously and investigated appropriately.

The figures underscore an ongoing challenge for law enforcement and social service agencies as the Turks and Caicos Islands continues to work toward reducing violence and protecting vulnerable members of the community.

News

Beaches Turks & Caicos wrapped up another successful Provo Men’s Premier League season

Published

1 week ago

June 17, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks and Caicos continued its strong commitment to sports development in the Turks and Caicos Islands with its sponsorship of the 2025/2026 Provo Men’s Premier League, a partnership that has significantly elevated the competition for a second consecutive year.

The season, which saw an increase in participating teams and heightened competitiveness across the league, has been widely regarded as one of the most successful in recent years. The top honours were shared between two of the league’s most dominant sides, SWA Sharks FC and Academy Eagles FC, both delivering consistent and high-level performances throughout the campaign.

Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) Technical Director Dane Ritchie highlighted the critical role Beaches Turks and Caicos played in strengthening the league’s structure and overall quality.

“The sponsorship from Beaches Turks and Caicos for the second year helped tremendously in making the competition a success,” Ritchie said. “This season we were able to have a more structured programme with the inclusion of youth talents coming to the fore, as well as the improvement of the coaching staff for the different teams being certified by Concacaf.”

Ritchie noted that the enhanced organisation of the league created more opportunities for emerging players, while also raising the standard of coaching and match preparation. The integration of youth talent into senior teams was particularly impactful, signaling a positive shift toward long-term player development within the territory.

Provo Men’s Premier League President Patrick Baptiste echoed these sentiments, describing the season as a milestone for both football and youth advancement in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“This was a very good year for football and youth development,” Baptiste said. “We were able to overcome a few challenging moments, but the overall grade for this season is an A.”

Baptiste emphasised that the continued support from Beaches Turks and Caicos has been instrumental in driving the league forward, providing much-needed financial backing and stability.

“With a title sponsor like Beaches Turks and Caicos providing the financial support again for this season, we are grateful,” he added. “We have come a far way and we still have a way to go, but the TCIFA team has been charged to continue to be creative in our marketing and being more inclusive in how we seek to showcase the talents of the TCI.”

Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort General Manager Deryk Meany also expressed satisfaction with the partnership and the overall progress of the league.

“Our commitment to youth development and the growth of sports and community throughout the TCI is of paramount importance to us as an organisation,” Meany said. “We are satisfied with this partnership and being the main sponsor is a major accomplishment for the resort. We are happy to have fielded a team this season that was placed fourth in the knockout round of the competition. We are seeking to continue to provide growth for our team members as well as the development of talent throughout the TCI.”

The 2025/2026 season also reflected broader efforts to professionalize football operations locally, including improved scheduling, officiating standards and fan engagement initiatives. Matches drew increased attendance, while community interest in the sport continued to grow, particularly among young athletes aspiring to compete at higher levels.