#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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Stiffer Penalties for gun crimes –
since coming to Office TCIG has increased the mandatory sentence from 5
years to 7years.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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