TCI News
TCI: We need to create an atmosphere of fear for these criminals. Too many guns, too many crimes.
#Providenciales, August 12, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – Some say there is an atmosphere of fear in this country and so many residents are afraid to speak out and say how they really feel. I am not sure whether or not, that statement is accurate but that is the general feeling of many.
Personally, my greatest fear is the fear of God. Because I fear God, I will not do anything contrary to the word of God despite the temptations. Therefore the fear of God keeps me on the right path.
Being fearful of things and individuals will cause you not to participate in certain events, discussions or things. Some of us may take risks hoping we will not get caught. On the other hand, many of us are very fearful and will not take the risks to engage in things contrary to the law.
I believe one of the main reasons why there are so many crimes and guns is due to the fact that the criminals are fearless. Therefore we must create an atmosphere of fear for these criminals.
How to create an atmosphere of fear for criminals?
We must strengthen the human resources in the Police Department by recruiting experienced, well built and matured police officers. The criminals are not afraid of some of the current police officers. They look at some of them as buddies and children.
We must also ensure that there is a visible presence of police officers throughout all communities in the Turks and Caicos 365 days a year and 24 hours a day. In addition, the officers must provide confidence and trust to the community so that the residents can report the crimes to the police, thus creating fear for the criminals. People are afraid to report crimes and the criminals know that.
We must deploy undercover cops throughout the country and get adequate information and evidence on these criminals and gangs so they can be prosecuted and sent to jail. This will frightened them.
Some believe that life in prison is too good for some of the criminals as it is alleged that they have too many privileges including access to a mobile phone. As a result some of them commit crimes to return to jail. If this is the case, then we must ensure that prison life is a deterrent so criminals will not want to go to prison and hopefully not commit these violent acts.
We must also strengthen our laws by making the penalties stiffer and longer which should send a strong message to the criminals.
We must increase our presence at all ports of entry and exit and thoroughly investigate individuals for guns and other weapons. Randomly check homes, vehicles and bars for guns.
Invest in signage throughout the community about the consequences of committing crimes.
Use as many police dogs as possible to track down criminals. This should create a lot of fear for criminals.
What if the criminals remain fearless?
While an atmosphere of fear may perhaps alleviate criminals from engaging in criminal activities, there will be some who will remain fearless due to psychological and spiritual issue. This of course will require major intervention such as deliverance, counselling and rehabilitation.
Conclusion
I know there is a cry that we need to find jobs for our people so the crimes can be reduced. I am not convinced that this is the case as there are people who are working and simultaneously committing crimes.
I personally believe if we start fearing God, start fearing the laws of our country and start fearing the police officers, it will be the beginning of the resolution and alleviation of crimes in our country.
Finally, if we can spend millions of dollars annually on SIPT cases then certainly we should be able spend millions of dollars to create an atmosphere of fear for the criminals thus providing a safety niche for our residents.
By Drexwell Seymour
Her Excellency the Governor is pleased to announce that following an expressions of interest process, and in accordance with Section 5 of the Financial Services Commission Ordinance 2007, Mr Dimaggio Rigby, Mr Geoff Scott and Mr Dennis Swann, have been appointed to serve as Commissioners on the Financial Services Commission Board of directors.
Mr Rigby brings specialist experience in cyber, media, and technology risks. He is currently employed in the City of London as a Cyber Insurance Market Consultant.
Mr Scott is a financial services professional with over 30 years’ successful track record in banking. He currently leads the Bermuda Bankers Association and was, until August 2022, the Chief Executive Officer of the Insurance Cooperation of Barbados Limited (ICBL).
Mr Swann is a Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers. He has expertise in Human Resources and worked for the Bank of Nova Scotia for 12 years. He has previously worked within the TCI FSC.
Commenting on the appointments, the Governor said:
“Following consultation with the Hon. Premier (in his capacity as th
e Minister of Finance) and the Hon. Leader of the Opposition, I have appointed Mr Dennis Swann, Mr Dimaggio Rigby and Mr Geoff Scott respectively, to serve as Commissioners (non-executive directors) on the Board of the Turks and Caicos Islands Financial Services Commission (FSC). I am confident that the combined experience of these three new Commissioners will help ensure the FSC delivers our vision for a technologically advanced financial services sector that is competitive and supports growth, is well regulated while agile and internationally respected.
I would like to thank Mr Keno Forbes for his previous service as a Commissioner.”
The appointments are for a three-year period, beginning in April 2024. Further details on the work of the Financial Services Commission can be found at TCIFSC.
Wednesday, April 17th 2024 – On Monday the 15th April at 11 am, the Turks and Caicos AIDS Awareness Foundation (TCAAF) unveiled their new brand to their supporters, members, the media, government departments and partnering NGO’s. The TCAAF, which is now the Turks and Caicos Health and Wellness Foundation (TCHWF) welcomed everyone to their new office which is oblique to the Edward Gartland Youth Centre, Downtown, Providenciales.
The TCHWF was founded in 2003 and is a registered non-profit organization in the TCI and a registered 501 (c) non-profit in the United States as well. TCHWF will focus on addressing broader health and social issues driven by the intersectionality of health and social factors, and disparities in services in the TCI.
At the ceremony, Dr. Dawn O’Sullivan, who provides medical care to persons living with HIV (PLHIV) through the Foundation and will continue to be the doctor on staff for TCHWF, gave the audience an insight on how the Foundation began. Dr. O’ Sullivan praised the board members, staff and volunteers for the success of the Foundation, which includes building the Edward Gartland Youth Centre. She explained that the rebranding was necessary since HIV is a chronic disease where you can take medication and live a long and healthy life, but support is needed for all persons living with chronic diseases and for the population that feels excluded or stigmatized.
TCHWF will provide holistic care to these populations. The new TCHWF office is comprised of a doctor’s office where patients can have consultations and be treated, and other comfortable spaces where persons can relax and unwind.
Nurse Nora Tyndall briefed the attendees on the services that the Foundation currently offers, such as the donation of a CD4 machine to the government so that patients can know their CD4 count before seeing the doctor. Other services being offered are free medical consultations, improved access to treatment and care, convenient access to medications, food cards, grocery distribution and the provision of formulas to infected mothers who give birth and cannot breastfeed. Nurse Tyndall highlighted that there is an increase in the number of pregnant women living with HIV in the TCI.
The new mandate of TCHWF is “Linking Lives, Transforming Communities”, the Foundation’s mission is to expand its services to connect HIV and non-HIV persons to entities and experts that can address varying needs.
The Executive Director of TCHWF, Anansa Jervis, highlighted the Foundation’s “aim to promote access to quality health services, information and education in the Turks and Caicos Islands.” Mrs. Jervis further explained that this would mean the need to “integrate HIV services and non-HIV services by increasing access to holistic and comprehensive health services needed for PLHIV and persons not living with HIV.” In this regard, the TCHWF intends to provide linkage to:
▪ The cultivation of youth empowerment and the development of life skills
▪ Health, hygiene, education and wellness strategies tailored to the needs of young women
▪ Care and support services for survivors of domestic violence
▪ Mental health, psychosocial services and recovery support services for persons with substance use disorders.
▪ Equitable access to HIV care and support services, addressing disparities.
To achieve these linkages, the Foundation has held discussions with various NGO’s and government organizations to provide the necessary services and support to persons with varying needs.
One of the Board Members of the Foundation, Giovanni Delancy, gave the closing address by expressing thanks to God, the members, staff, media and volunteers for attending the unveiling ceremony. He closed with “we will continue to bring awareness and education to those not only with HIV/AIDS but other STD’s and other diseases. Let us continue to make a difference wherever we go.”
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