#Providenciales, September 19, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – Let me start, as the Governor, by welcoming you. For those listening to us on the radio we are in the Premier’s Office and I’m joined by the Premier and the recently appointed Commissioner of Police. We also have with us the Deputy Governor, Deputy Premier, and the Executive Leadership team of the Police Force.
We
are here to describe and take questions about the recent spike in the murder
rate on the islands.
Let
me first start with the most important group we want to acknowledge; the
victims. Their lives taken, their futures stolen. Their families, their friends
hurt beyond imagination. Those who were their parents, their partners, their
sweethearts, their brothers, their sisters, their children. Those who were once
at their school or who shared a work place or who just thoroughly enjoyed their
company or their humour. Those that loved them intensely in life and those who had
no idea how much they thought of them until they were gone.
I’m
very aware that a life taken away – suddenly, unexpectedly and violently – is a
blow very hard to deal with. There’s an immediate overwhelming heart-stopping
shock to be replaced over time by a feeling of sadness that remains and returns
when least expected. No opportunity for a final goodbye, no opportunity to
perhaps put something right or say something that needed to be said.
The
cold statistic of 10 murders doesn’t start to explain the impact this has on
those very close to the person who has lost their life, but also on a
community. And on an island, which is one extended community, a violent attack
on one member feels like an attack on us all.
I speak therefore for all of us when I say we want to bring those who
did this, to your loved ones, and to our community, to justice.
Beyond
gaining justice for those we have lost, you quite rightly want to know what we are
going to do about this to prevent further loss, and that’s the purpose of this
Press-Conference.
I
promised when I was sworn in that I was going to be clear, and in being ‘clear’
I was going to be ‘straight’. So what we
are not going to do is down-play the seriousness nor are we going to offer you the
illusion of a quick fix.
Anyone
suggesting there is one, hasn’t looked at a whole range of comparative
scenarios from around the region or from around the world as to how serious
crime has to be tackled across Government and society.
I
said when appointing the new local Deputy Commissioner, last month, that when
we come to talking about ‘the Police and crime’ we have reached the end of a
conversation rather than having a much needed conversation about its causes. It’s going to take time, and it’s going to
take far more than just ‘the Police’ to develop a society that’s at ease with
itself and where serious crime is a genuine aberration.
The
important march on Sunday, led by our church leaders, supported by the
Honourable Premier and Honourable Leader of the Opposition, which placed an
emphasis on society and community, was an excellent example that these leaders,
religious and secular, understand that.
In
being clear and in being straight we are also not going to engage in hyperbole or stoke emotions.
What our collective intention is, in a leadership role, is to inform you with
facts. What’s the issue? What’s being done?
I’m
first going to say something about the leadership, not only of this issue, but
our general approach to leading the country at times such as this, and then
something about what the facts are telling us.
The Commissioner is then going to talk about the immediate Policing
response that he and his Executive Team have led. Most importantly the Premier
is going to talk to the wider societal issues and her Governments continued support
to the Police as we move forward. We will then take questions.
Let’s
start at the top. The most important thing we, as a national leadership team can
do, at this time, is lead. The symbolism of the three of us presenting together
should not be lost on you, nor on the criminals. We have been working on this, in the
background, as part of the National Security Strategy since I arrived and we had
expected to explain this change of approach, when we rolled that out. But today
we have the opportunity to give you a glimpse of how we are going to lead national
and internal security going forward.
The
world is now too complex for there to be institutional stovepipes and we intend
to lead in a joined up way in the expectation that others will match our
behaviours and work across institutional boundaries to deliver results.
Beyond
that simple thought: those on the front line delivering operational impact;
those paying for it; those who are held responsible to the electorate; those
who can propose policy and deliver legislation, and; those who hold the
Constitutional lead, including in extremis the power to call on emergency
powers, or on international support, have to be working in sympathy.
Being
blunt, if we can’t get it together at the top, what hope below. Some have
called this a crisis (given what I’ve seen in my life this isn’t, I assure you,
a crisis). But if it is, it’s also an opportunity to make this three way
relationship meaningful. The three of us have seized that opportunity. It’s now
the new normal. Key point: every
resource and power available to us can, as we wish, now be focussed rapidly when
and where we want it to be because we are joined up.
So
what’s the problem we are seeking to solve? I’ve already described 10 murders.
That’s 10 too many; justice needs to be done and will be done. Beyond that,
what else are the facts telling us.
The
first is, is that the emotions the public are feeling, are grounded in truth. I’m
going to give you the facts as to why we should as a society be concerned
and focussed. What we should not
be, as a society is panicked or afraid. In this regard what is
not helpful are misleading accounts on social media of phantom shootings and non-existent
attacks that distract Police from dealing with issues where there is genuinely
life at risk.
If
you are spreading a story on social media about an attack that’s supposedly
occurring but that you’ve not witnessed, please pause and think. Are you
helping make society better and safer. Gossip and rumour are toxic at the best
of times but when they promote unnecessary fear, when what we need is strength
and resilience, they become part of the problem. Please be part of the
solution. Please deal in known facts.
I
want to first of all explain one fact that I know you are less interested in
but one that is none-the-less accurate and important. Year-on-year the overall
(and I stress the word here overall) crime statistics have been falling. Over
five years overall crime is down 30%. I’ve been with our Police more since my
arrival than I have been with my own team. We have an increasingly good Force. The
statistics tell us that away from the most serious crime where there are really
deep non-policing factors at play, our Police have been getting better at doing
their job and part of this is down to investments made in them.
But
I also know that, at this moment, this is not the figure that you are
interested in. What you are interested in are the levels of serious crime. On
this issue the figures tell us an interesting story. Over the last five years
they initially rose to peak in 2016/17 at 426 serious crimes that year to then fall
back, in line with other falls in crime rate, to 314 last year.
So
what’s happened this year. If we look at
the April to August figures and compare them to last year, there is a sharp
increase in serious crime. If you break this down further it’s not ‘murder’ (the
very visible and appalling tip of the ice-burg) that shows a significant
increase but instead that which is less easy for the press or public to see: ‘firearms
offences’.
Murder,
itself, shows a relatively small rise but the more general firearms offences
have increased from 26 last year to 62 this year. That’s very significant.
Some
of these firearms offences are linked to robbery, it’s those that we know are
causing widespread public concern, but a significant number are indeed
‘retaliation’, not so much linked to gangs or turf, but to perceived arguments
and disrespect amongst groups. It’s an uncomfortable truth, but it’s a truth
the three of us need to share with you, that much of this problem is not
imported, it’s home grown. Its not ‘the other’, it’s ‘us’.
It’s
also worth saying that we believe we are dealing with a very small number of
criminals – who are increasingly becoming known to us – and when arrested and
charged – because there is evidence that can be put before the court – will reduce,
possibly seriously reduce, the problem we have right now.
Having
explained the local picture I now want to say something about how this impacts
on our tourist industry as it’s not just local but international commentators
that are following this. The way murder rates are calculated globally is by
death per 100,000. In a country as small as ours just one murder starts to
impact on this ratio. Just one bad individual can start to change the way our
Islands are presented globally.
The
facts are that in 5 years we have lost only two tourists to murder. One at a
resort, one in a private residence. That is two to many. Everything I said at
the start of this conference about the devastating shock to family and friends
I want to reemphasize, again. The shock is exacerbated because these were our
guests in our country, away from their family and their friends and they came
because they knew they were coming to a world class, amazingly relaxed and
tranquil destination, that have people retuning year-on-year, who in many cases
see it as their second spiritual home, because they love these islands and her
people. It is, and it remains, one of the most perfect destinations in the
world.
The
facts regarding tourist safety are we have 1.8 million tourists arriving with
us by air or sea every year. A tourist is statistically extraordinarily safe;
almost certainly safer than in their home country. It’s important, as we face
down the problem we have, we don’t unintentionally signal that this island is
anything other than amazingly safe for our visitors and what a superb job our
tourist industry do in ensuring their guests have an extraordinary time with
them and with us.
Finally
TCI: we are bigger, we are better and we are stronger than allowing a small
number of bad men, to bring fear into our amazing country. The stoicism we show
in times of natural disaster is admirable; let’s show it now. As you hear the Commissioner and Premier speak
let’s all of us assume ‘agency’, not just in observing the problem, but being a
part of the wider societal solution.
As I hand over to our Commissioner, I end where I began, we are determined to bring those who are working so hard to undermine our society to justice. Our thoughts – indeed our motivation – come from us understanding the deep hurt that these men did to the victims and those close to their victims – and if this ever was to your mind a crisis, it’s now become a realised opportunity. You have an unshakable national team that intends to impose itself on this and any future national security problem. This is therefore an important moment for the country in more than one sense. Commissioner, over to you.
Treasure Beach Village at Beaches Turks and Caicos, now open, featuring 101 all-suite accommodations, brand-new dining concepts and thoughtfully designed amenities.
Montego Bay, Jamaica March 12, 2026 – Beaches Resorts has unveiled a bold new chapter in Caribbean family travel with the grand opening of Treasure Beach Village at Beaches Turks and Caicos, a US $150 million expansion that redefines oceanfront luxury on the western edge of the resort’s property.
The award-winning resort brand commemorated the milestone with an elegant and celebratory ribbon cutting ceremony on February 28, staged in the picturesque lobby of the new development overlooking the 15,000-square-foot lagoon-style pool and the turquoise waters of Grace Bay Beach.
Conceived as a landmark moment for both the brand and the destination, the ceremony gathered Turks and Caicos government officials, Sandals and Beaches Resorts executives and team members, regional business leaders, local suppliers, artisans, artists and members of the media in a powerful show of partnership.
The programme was vibrantly led by master of ceremonies Gary Sadler, executive vice president of sales and industry relations at Unique Vacations, and opened with remarks from James McAnally, regional managing director, Northern Caribbean and Curacao for Sandals and Beaches Resorts, and the Hon. Zhavargo Jolly, minister of tourism, agriculture, fisheries and the environment. Reflections followed from Executive Chairman Adam Stewart, before the ceremony culminated with a keynote address from the Hon. Charles Washington Misick, premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, who joined other government officials and resort leaders for the official ribbon cutting that formally declared Treasure Beach Village open.
The event also featured a special performance by the Louise Garland Thomas High School Steel Pan Band and students of the Enid Capron Primary School Cultural Group, celebrating the culture and creativity of the islands. Guests then enjoyed a curated dining experience inside the Village’s newest restaurants, offering a first taste of the elevated culinary concepts now available to families from around the world.
Executive Chairman Adam Stewart in his delivery, underscored the legacy and deep-rooted connection between the brand and the destination.
“Turks and Caicos is an absolute gift to the world,” said Stewart. “Its beauty, its people and its ability to perform on the world stage make it extraordinary. My grandfather always told me it was one of the most beautiful places on earth. My father came to see it for himself and 30 years later Beaches Turks and Caicos stands as the most successful family resort in this hemisphere.”
Stewart added, “what began as a small hotel has grown from 150 rooms to nearly 900 keys and more than 1,000 rooms because of the vision of our founder and his unwavering belief in Caribbean people. Today we are a team of 20,000 and 97 percent are Caribbean nationals. The Sandals story is a story of belief in what we can achieve together.”
In his keynote address, Premier Charles Washington Misick highlighted the national significance of the investment.
“Today we celebrate the opening of Treasure Beach and something even greater,” said Premier Misick. “This moment reflects a partnership between Sandals and the Turks and Caicos Islands that has been built over decades and strengthened by trust. Treasure Beach Village signals confidence in our country, in our stability and in our tourism product and it sets a new standard of quality and value.”
Integral to the celebration were several of the local artists whose commissioned works now define the character of Treasure Beach Village. From the earliest stages of design, the creative vision for the village centred on capturing the true treasures of the Turks and Caicos Islands through art and storytelling.
Among the standout installations is “Roses of Provo” by Stanford Hanfield, a breathtaking composition of more than 800 hand-cut conch shells transformed into a dramatic showpiece that honours the conch on the national flag and the enduring spirit of the islands. Murals by Ashley Aarons that celebrate local flora and fauna while paying homage to the founder’s love of the Caribbean. Through the lens of Rich McGhie, striking imagery of turtles, beaches and everyday island life captures the people who are the true treasures of Treasure Beach Village. Contributing artists Lucie Winton-Stubbs, Hezron Henry, Ancy Dorisca, Ayshe Stephen and Victoria Silvera further infuse the spaces with Caribbean soul, texture and authenticity.
Several of these artists were present for the ribbon cutting and were acknowledged for their exceptional contributions.
Following this, the award-winning resort welcomed its first guests to Treasure Beach Village on March 1, greeted by Executive Chairman Adam Stewart, Sandals executives, vibrant team members waving the Turks and Caicos and Jamaican flags, singing, dancing and inviting families to an experience brimming with island inspiration and exciting ‘Beaches Firsts’.
Suites Designed for Togetherness
The new oceanfront village featuring 101 multi-bedroom suites, unveils expansive new room categories, blending generous living spaces with the all-inclusive service synonymous with Beaches. Among the standouts are the oceanfront CrystalSky 4-Bedroom Reserve Villas, perched on the sand and unfolding across more than 2,600 square feet over three stories. Accommodating up to 10 guests and designed for elevated family living, the villas include a private pool and a rooftop deck with a telescope. Spanning more than 2,800 square feet over two stories, the Chairman’s Penthouse Suite hosts up to 10 guests in three bedrooms, anchored by a dramatic staircase that connects its expansive living spaces.
Oceanview Two-Story Suites feature two-bedroom and three-bedroom layouts with open designs, modern bunk beds, inviting dining nooks and al fresco living rooms designed to capture the sea breeze. A collection of thoughtfully designed Oceanview and Penthouse Concierge Suites welcome up to six guests with two bedrooms, expansive baths and bunk beds. A Caribbean palette of turquoise, coral and neutrals reflects the surrounding sea and sand, accented by artful touches inspired by life beneath the surface.
Dining That Brings Everyone to the Table
At Treasure Beach Village, six new dining concepts invite families to slow down and linger, including the arrival of Butch’s Island Chop House at a Beaches resort – the beloved Sandals Resorts steakhouse. A tribute to the brand’s late founder, Gordon “Butch” Stewart, the restaurant brings generations together over prime dry age steaks, fresh seafood and an elevated beverage experience for adults, including a mini-martini menu.
A first of its kind for the brand, Pinta Food Hall introduces global flavours across four distinct culinary stations, from smoky tacos and Asian stir-fries to an open-air Italian window and an à la carte grill – plus Beaches’ first-ever live churro station. Featuring Jamaica’s iconic Blue Mountain coffee, BRÜ Coffee Bar serves artisanal coffee by day and transitions into a craft cocktail spot by night.
Designed for Families, Shaped by the Sea
Sweeping views of Grace Bay’s turquoise waters set the tone for unhurried days ahead. Inside the lobby, coastal details take shape in an intricate sea-garden ceiling and a striking conch installation by local artisan Stanford Handfield, while a soft sand-and-sea palette creates an atmosphere that feels instantly welcoming.
At the heart of the village, a 15,000-square-foot lagoon-style pool sets the scene complete with three whirlpools. A waterslide and splash zone cater to younger guests, while a swim-up bar offers a gathering place for all ages. Nearby, Calypso Cones adds a playful poolside moment with refreshing snow cones under the Caribbean sun.
Treasure Beach Village also debuts Beaches’ first Starfish Cinema, an all-day, 32-seat theatre designed for daytime sitcoms and family movie nights, popcorn and refreshments included.
Treasure Beach Village is fully integrated into the Beaches Turks and Caicos experience, where all guests enjoy access to a total of 28 additional dining options, the 45,000-square-foot Pirates Island Water Park, unlimited land and water sports, daily entertainment for every generation, and complimentary Kids Camps led by trained childcare experts.
“As the next chapter in the Beaches Turks and Caicos story, Treasure Beach Village builds on everything families already love about this resort, adding incredibly spacious accommodations and freshly introduced experiences shaped by the way families travel today,” said Adam Stewart, executive chairman of Sandals and Beaches Resorts. “It is incredibly moving to meet guests who first visited Beaches as children and are now returning with little ones of their own. More than ever, families are coming together across generations, slowing down and truly valuing time with one another, and this new addition opens up even more possibilities for those shared moments.”
Bigger, Better, Beaches 2.0
The opening of Treasure Beach Village marks the beginning of Beaches’ next chapter. With nearly US $1 billion invested to double the brand’s footprint over the next several years, Beaches continues to expand across the Caribbean, introducing more space, more flexibility and more opportunities for families to reconnect in Exuma, The Bahamas; Jamaica; Barbados and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Education in collaboration with the Department of Culture successfully hosted the 3rd Annual Local Studies Jeopardy-Style Competition, an initiative designed to promote persons’ understanding of the history, culture, and contemporary affairs of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The event took place on March 2, 2026, at the Gustavus Lightbourne Sports Complex, bringing together students, parents, educators, and community stakeholders in a celebration of national heritage and civic awareness.
This year’s competition was organized under the theme “Where Parents Lead, Children Succeed,” emphasizing the critical role of parental engagement in education. In alignment with this theme, each competing team consisted of one student and one parent, thereby fostering intergenerational collaboration and reinforcing the importance of family participation in the learning process. The inclusion of parents not only enhanced the spirit of the competition but also underscored the broader educational philosophy that student achievement is strengthened when families and schools work in partnership.
The event commenced with opening greetings delivered by the Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon. Rachel Taylor. In her remarks, Minister Taylor highlighted the significance of the competition as a platform for showcasing national identity and collective heritage. She noted that the addition of parents as active participants represented a meaningful and progressive development in the students’ wholistic structure, further strengthening the relationship between home, school, and community. According to the Minister, initiatives such as the Local Studies Competition play a vital role in ensuring that younger generations develop a strong appreciation for the cultural and historical foundations of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The opening ceremony also featured several cultural performances that helped create an atmosphere reflective of the nation’s traditions. The Enid Capron Primary School Band performed a selection of cultural music, setting an engaging and celebratory tone for the proceedings. Additionally, students from Clement Howell High School delivered renditions of the National Anthem and the National Song, reinforcing the patriotic spirit of the occasion. The audience was formally welcomed by Director of Culture, Odessa Forbes, who expressed appreciation for the participation of schools, parents, and community members in supporting cultural education. The competition itself was skilfully moderated by Quiz Master Huntley Forbes Jr., who guided participants through the various rounds of questions.
A total of fifteen schools participated in the competition, demonstrating strong representation from across the islands. Participating institutions included: Thelma Lightbourne Primary School, Eliza Simons Primary School, Ianthe Pratt Primary School, International School, Precious Treasures Primary School, Oseta Jolly Primary School, Marjorie Basden High School, Ona Glinton Primary School, Provo Primary and Middle School, Clement Howell High School, Richmond Hill Preparatory School, Charles Hubert James Primary School, Shining Stars Preparatory School, Raymond Gardiner High School, and Enid Capron Primary School.
Throughout the competition, teams demonstrated impressive knowledge of various aspects of Turks and Caicos Islands heritage, including historical milestones, national festivals, traditional cuisine, geography, and contemporary current affairs. The high level of engagement and enthusiasm among participants reflected both the effectiveness of local studies instruction within schools and the commitment of families to supporting students’ academic development.
Following several rounds of intense and closely contested gameplay, Precious Treasures Primary School emerged as the first-place winner. International School secured second place, while Charles Hubert James Primary School earned third place. All teams displayed commendable effort, preparation, and pride in representing their schools and their knowledge of national heritage.
The Department of Education and the Department of Culture extend their sincere gratitude to all participating schools, students, parents, teachers, judges, coaches and volunteers whose contributions made the event a success. Appreciation is also expressed to the organizers, engineer, scorekeepers, timekeepers, performers, and supporters who helped create a meaningful and memorable celebration of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ history and culture. Through initiatives such as the Local Studies Jeopardy-Style Competition, the Departments reaffirm their commitment to fostering cultural awareness, national pride, and lifelong learning.
Sandals Foundation Ambassadors and students from the Adelaide Oemler Primary School share in a moment with some of the educational material for donating to the school
Turks and Caicos Islands – Beaches Turks and Caicos resort, through the Sandals Foundation, recently expanded its education outreach to North and Middle Caicos, providing new learning materials to every primary school student on the twin islands, as well as a number of students from Raymond Gardiner High School. The initiative was aimed at strengthening classroom instruction, reducing the burden on families, and ensuring that children in the family islands have access to the same quality of resources as their peers on Providenciales.
Public Relations Manager Orville Morgan share, “this donation ensured that students at government primary schools in North and Middle Caicos received age-appropriate educational materials, including workbooks, back packs, pencils, erasers, crayons, sharpeners, stationery, and complementary learning aids to support learning.”
The effort covered schools such as Raymond Gardiner High, Adelaide Oemler Primary, Charles Hubert James Primary, Lighthouse Christian Academy, and Doris Robinson Primary in Middle Caicos.
In addition to primary students, a number of students from Raymond Gardiner High School also benefitted, receiving materials that teachers shared will help reinforce literacy, numeracy and exam preparation in the upper grades.
Principal Janet Walkin noted, “while classroom teachers often create their own resources, having these materials and sufficient basic supplies can make a measurable difference in student performance and classroom engagement.”
Veteran principal of Charles Hubert James Primary Carmencita Morley, welcomed the donation and emphasized its importance for both teachers and students. She explained that the new materials would help improve the quality of teaching and learning at the school by allowing educators to better differentiate instruction and provide more hands-on activities across grades.
“With these additional resources, our teachers have more tools to reach students at different levels and learning styles,” she shared, “our schools in North Caicos often face constraints in accessing up-to-date educational aids.” The principal added that for many families, especially those with multiple children, back-to-school expenses can be significant, so receiving core supplies helps reduce financial pressure while ensuring that every child comes to class prepared to learn.
Principal Abigail Delancy of Adelaide Oemler echoed this sentiment, pointing out that “consistent access to simple items such as exercise books, pencils and reading materials can reduce classroom disruptions and give teachers more time to focus on instruction. They also highlighted that the donation aligns with national efforts by the Ministry of Education to raise standards in literacy and numeracy across the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
The latest distribution is part of the Sandals Foundation’s broader, long-term investment in education across the Caribbean, including the Turks and Caicos Islands. Regionally, the foundation supports scholarships, school infrastructure and technology upgrades, teacher training, and the provision of learning resources.
General Manager, Deryk Meany added, “the resort sees its role as going beyond hospitality, with a focus on supporting the communities where our team members and their families live. Education remains one of the three central pillars of the Sandals Foundation—alongside community and environment—and pledged to continue working with local schools and the Ministry of Education to identify needs and deliver targeted support.”
For Adelaide Oemler Primary’s leadership, the focus now is on integrating the new materials into daily teaching plans and monitoring how they contribute to student progress over the coming terms. The principal stressed that with continued collaboration among schools, the private sector and charitable organizations, North and Middle Caicos students can access the resources they need to thrive academically and build a strong foundation for their future.