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Turks and Caicos Islands Government takes action against crime

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#Providenciales, September 16, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) has always outlined crime as a major priority and since coming into office has promoted the development of an effective crime strategy to improve citizen safety, prevention efforts and deterrence of crime; however, in recent weeks there has been an evident spike in gun related offenses and reports of home invasions and robberies in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

To reduce these seemingly isolated incidents of crime, and continuing to actively take action against crime in the Turks and Caicos Islands, TCIG has implemented numerous initiatives to assist police in ensuring the safety of TCI citizens and are evolving to improve upon existing initiatives in the fight against criminals.

  1. National Security Strategy – a comprehensive National Security Strategy is being developed to effectively confront crime throughout the country. This multipronged approach will identify immediate national security threats; efficiently manage the resources currently available; procure additional tools and resources for internal and external security agencies; strengthen partnerships internally and regionally and internationally collaborating on security initiatives and will engage the Turks and Caicos community in the fight against crime.
  1. Introduction of Scanning Equipment at TCI Ports – this will aid in the fight against the importation of weapons. This has been budgeted for in this current financial year 2019/20.
  1. Border Protection Agency – the formation of a Border Protection Unit and Central Intelligence Unit will unify all forces in defense of the country. Marine protection will include the acquisition of drone aircraft and additional sea craft to strengthen the current sloop interception rate.
  1. Community Policing – the relationship between the residents of these islands and the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) is critical to discouraging criminality. The manner in which patrols are carried out by the RTICPF officers has been reassessed and since there has been an increase in foot patrols and a more strategic police presence in communities that are hot spots for criminal activity.
  1. More Resources for police – the new Commissioner of Police and Senior Executive Team for RTCIPF conducted a review of the force and TCIG has agreed to provide funding to recruit 20 officers and to support the establishment of a Specialized Gun Squad.
  1. Stiffer Penalties for gun crimes – since coming to Office TCIG has increased the mandatory sentence from 5 years to 7years.
  1. Rehabilitation Programme – this Government is committed to continuously investing in the people of the Turks and Caicos and consequently in July this year launched the Chance for Change Programme which aims to rehabilitate offenders through programs administered at Her Majesty’s Prison in Grand Turk and ultimately decrease the rate of recidivism (reoffending). This initiative offers drug and addiction rehabilitation programs, skill development in agriculture at the on-site farm, culinary skill development, educational opportunities and anger management sessions to support the transition of offenders into wider society upon release.
  1. Trade School – TCIG believes that there must be a means of making Turks and Caicos Islanders more employable, specifically the youth; hence, the Government is hastily working towards commencing a Trade School at the start of the new academic year.
  1. Domestic Fire Services to return to Grand Turk – due to the ongoing criminal activity of arson in Grand Turk, TCIG made a decision in its first Supplementary to purchase a Domestic Fire Truck for Grand Turk signaling the restart of Domestic Fire Services on this island. A fire truck has been secured during the last Budget cycle. The Government will be stiffening the penalties or persons found guilty of arson.

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government stands with the Governor and the Commissioner of Police in the path ahead to reducing the increase in incidents of violent crime and maintaining the peace and tranquility of these islands. Our individual and communal safety in addition to the consequences that incidents of crime and violence can have on our Tourism, makes us all equal stakeholders in this vexing fight against crime. TCIG implores that together we must all do our parts to effectively assist in the efforts toward a safer Turks and Caicos Islands for all.

Release: TCIG

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Unidentified Deceased Male Discovered in Grace Bay Area

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Turks and Caicos, July 5, 2025 – Around 7AM on today’s date 5th July 2025 officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) assisted by members of the public carried out a search in the community of Providenciales focusing on targeted areas.

Approximately 9:06 a.m. on Saturday, July 5th, 2025, while conducting the search operation in the Grace Bay area, one of the teams discovered the body of a deceased male in a decomposed state.

The discovery was made along Long Bay Road. The scene has been secured, and all appropriate partner agencies have been notified.

At present, the identity of the deceased has not been established. The RTCIPF will provide further updates as soon as the identification process is complete and the next of kin are informed.

Acting Commissioner of Police Mr. Rodney Adams on commenting on the discovery of the body. We the police extend condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and ask that the public not speculate and await positive identification of the deceased.”

This matter remains under active investigation.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is appealing to anyone who may have information to contact 911 or the nearest Police Station. Information may also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 (TIPS)

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Ministry of Health and Human Services Participates in UKOTs Public Health Conference 2025

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PRESS RELEASE

 FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – The Ministry of Health and Human Services was represented at the 2025 UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) Public Health Conference held under the theme “Collaborative Approaches to Risk Communication” at the Park Plaza Victoria in London, from June 23–27, 2025.

Attending on behalf of the Turks and Caicos Islands were Dr. Nadia Astwood, Chief Medical Officer, and Mr. Lynrod Brooks, Director of Health Policy and Planning.

Hosted by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under its Civil Resilience Programme, the conference convened Chief Medical Officers and senior technical officers from several UK Overseas Territories including Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands (BVI), Cayman Islands, Montserrat and Turks and Caicos Islands – as well as from the Crown Dependencies, St. Helena, Ascension and Gibraltar.

The week-long event featured a range of expert-led sessions and workshops, focusing on strengthening risk communication and public health resilience across the UKOTs. Key agenda items included:

  • Introduction to Behavioural Science-Informed Risk and Crisis Communication
  • Good Practice for Effective Crisis Communication
  • Crisis Alert! A Scenario-Based Exercise
  • Identifying Key Health Threats and RCCE (Risk Communication and Community Engagement) Needs – Workshops Parts 1 & 2
  • Civil Food Resilience in the UKOTs
  • Risk Communication and EPRR (Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response) Frameworks
  • Practical Approaches to Risk and Crisis Communication
  • Communicating Risks in Violence Prevention: Public Health Approaches
  • Mental Health and Psychosocial Support During Crisis
  • Responding to Emerging Infections
  • Antimicrobial Resistance: Assessing the Global Threat
  • Cervical Cancer Elimination and RCCE
  • Tackling Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Vaccine Hesitancy
  • Enhancing Comprehensive Prevention and Management of Diabetes – Interactive Session

A highlight of the conference was the keynote address delivered by Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England. In his address, he emphasized both progress and persistent challenges in global public health.

Commenting on the importance of the conference, Dr. Nadia Astwood, Chief Medical Officer of the Turks and Caicos Islands, stated, “This gathering provided a critical opportunity to strengthen collaboration and knowledge exchange across the Overseas Territories, particularly around preparedness and response to public health threats. Strengthening health security remains a top priority for the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Health and Human Services, echoed this sentiment, noting, “We are grateful for the continued support from the UK Government through the FCDO and UKHSA. This platform ensures that the Turks and Caicos Islands are part of a coordinated approach to building resilience and safeguarding public health.”

The Ministry’s participation in this conference forms part of ongoing efforts to enhance the national capacity for emergency preparedness, community engagement, and evidence-informed public health communication.

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Search for Missing American Tourist Intensifies in Turks and Caicos

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U.S. Officials, Family Join Local Efforts as Disappearance Enters Ninth Day

By Deandrea Hamilton | Editor and Wilkie Arthur | Eagle Legal News

 

Turks and Caicos, July 4, 2025 – The United States Department of State has confirmed it is aware of the disappearance of American citizen Brian Tarrence in Turks and Caicos, and the U.S. Embassy in Nassau is actively assisting in the ongoing investigation. Tarrence’s mother is now on the island, anxiously hoping for good news as the search for her son enters its ninth day.

Tarrence, 51, of New York, vanished on June 25 while vacationing with his wife in Providenciales. The couple was staying at the Inn at Grace Bay in a privately rented villa booked via Airbnb. CCTV footage reviewed by Eagle Legal News shows Tarrence walking away from the property around 3:00 a.m., alone and without signs of immediate distress. He has not been seen since.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is treating the case as high priority, and a search operation is underway in Grace Bay, with efforts expanding to The Bight and nearby districts. U.S. private investigator Carl DeFazio, hired by Tarrence’s family, is also on the ground and working alongside local authorities.

“We are tracking any activity—credit cards, digital devices—that could point us toward his location,” said DeFazio. “This is a coordinated effort, and we are committed to bringing Brian home.”

Sources close to the investigation say Tarrence may have been in a vulnerable state prior to his disappearance. His wife reported that he had relapsed into alcohol use and was displaying increasingly erratic behavior, including signs of paranoia and delusional speech. He reportedly believed people were outside their villa and made concerning remarks hours before he disappeared.

When his wife woke that morning, Tarrence—and his phone and wallet—were gone. The devices remain unreachable, and no transactions or confirmed sightings have been reported.

His wife continues to cooperate fully with police, while his mother, who recently arrived in TCI, has joined local and diplomatic efforts in hopes of a safe resolution.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the nearest police station or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-8477.

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