TCI News

Press statement on Crime from Michael Misick TCI Former Premier

Published

7 years ago

October 14, 2019

File Photo

#Providenciales, October 14, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – This week and the past few months have been a crazy time for us here in Turks and Caicos Islands. We have gone from having almost no crime and especially no homicides per year to having thirteen (13) murders already for this year. Crime and gun violence has completely take over with criminals feeling emboldened to the point where they are robbing persons and businesses in broad day light.

While all this is happening, this week being the worst, the new Governor and new Commissioner of Police are busy on private matters in the UK. The Acting Governor and the Premier have made a poor attempt at a press release that is not comforting at all to the public and completely devoid of any solution to this mounting problem that we are facing.

The premier came to office with a mandate for change. We have seen absolutely no change in any of areas of governance or life in these islands for the benefit of our people. In fact, things have sadly only gotten worse. Crime and the influx of illegal immigrants are at an all time high as the Governor and the Government sit idly by offering no solutions to the problems.

What happened to the 12 point crime plan we heard so much about during the 2016 election campaign by Premier Robinson? The Premier, as leader of our country, must take responsibility for what is happening and stop hiding behind the Governor saying he is responsible for the police. History has shown us that governors come and go enjoying our islands and all the perks that come with the office in a colony, basically living the life of royalty. They quickly and brazenly trade in their rides on the London tube for tinted chauffeur driven Land Rovers and produce no results in the areas that they have responsibility for.

What policy initiative has this PDM Government introduced to reduce crime? What measures have the Government taken to address the root cause of the wave of gun crimes that are taking place?

Let’s be honest with ourselves; there is an epidemic we are facing where our young people, mostly young men, in our country feel that they have been marginalized. They are not getting good jobs or other opportunities for economic empowerment so they are resorting to a life of violence.

While we keep importing labor and having our people bypassed, whether they be Turks and Caicos Islanders or Turks and Caicos Islanders of Haitian descend, we should be working actively as a government to secure opportunities for them.

What are we doing to reverse this alarming trend? Even when they go to prison at such young ages they come back out as hardened criminals because there are no programs designed to reform and rehabilitate them once incarcerated.

Here are five (5) suggestions for the Government that they should embrace that could reverse the criminal activity we are experiencing:

1) Establish a defense force and make it mandatory for young people between the ages of 18 and 25 to serve at least a year and/or a few months a year as part of a national service. Exemption could be made for those who decide to go to college or who are working in steady jobs.

2) Invest in building a base on French Cay with holding facilities for any illegal immigrants. Invest in buying a substantial gun boat that can patrol our waters 24/7. In fact consideration should be given to ceasing all sea travel between Turks & Caicos and Haiti until we can fully arrest this problem in our country.

3) Restrict the issuance of work permits in certain areas and stop the practice by PDM Government of allowing foreigners to get business licenses in the reserve category of businesses. Use the jobs and business opportunities that are being created to empower our people, especially our youth.

4) Establish a gun amnesty program with a gun buy back policy to get illegal weapons off the streets. And create stiffer penalties for gun related crimes.

5) Establish the main central police station downtown in the building that houses the Public Library. Establish sub-stations in all of the communities in Providenciales with police officers doing foot patrols and other community policing initiatives. Hire an extra 100 police officers from the Turks and Caicos Islands and pay them and the existing officers properly with suitable benefits commensurate to the work they are required to do.

These are just five (5) recommendations for starters that can immediately change the landscape on the ground. I don’t believe bringing in more foreign police is the answer. The root cause of the problem needs to be addressed and we have adequate resources within to tackle this problem.
I call on the Premier to stop hiding behind this “Instagram Star Governor” who is more concerned about getting likes than getting the job done.

The people of the Turks and Caicos Islands voted for you to lead, not for you to follow and be a “backside kisser” of the Governor. If you are unable or unwilling to do your job and to fulfill your mandate, than do the honorable thing and resign.

The silence of the People’s elected leader, Premier Robinson, is deafening. Whenever there is an issue that has grave consequences for our country she is nowhere to be heard. True to form in this regard is that we have yet to hear from her on the issuance of (or to be issued) close to 200 citizenship statuses. There is nothing at all to be heard from this inept government on any of these serious and vexing matters.

This last week has been a major crime incident every day and night with people being shot and/or killed and still nothing heard from this Premier. She has earned the reputation as the “I can’t Premier”. Either she is lazy or incompetent or a mixture of both.

I call on the Government to do something to resolve this crime issue or resign. I am sure there are others out there who may have a plan and the courage to save our country before it is too late.

May God bless us all and keep us safe. And may God bless the Turks and Caicos Islands is my Prayer.

Bahamas News

Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday

Published

14 hours ago

August 20, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.

Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.

According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.

The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.

Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.

However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.

The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.

PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band

News

BermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark

Published

19 hours ago

August 20, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Twice-Weekly Nonstop Flights Begin December 20 with Fares from $347 One Way, Creating Direct Access to Salterra Resort & Spa

– New Route Expands BermudAir’s Winter Turks & Caicos Network –

[New York, NY – August 20, 2026] – BermudAir, the leading premium leisure carrier to Bermuda and the Caribbean, today announced it will introduce nonstop flights to South Caicos from Newark this winter. The route places one of the Caribbean’s most secluded island destinations just 3.5 hours from the New York area for the first time.

The new service starts on December 20, 2026, operating on Sundays and Thursdays, and will be the only nonstop service to the destination from the New York area. This seasonal service will operate through April 25, 2027. Fares start at $347 one way ($773 roundtrip) and go on sale today.

The new South Caicos route creates gives travelers two distinct luxury resort options, with direct access to Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, recently named the No. 1 resort in Turks and Caicos by Condé Nast Traveler.

Set across 85 beachfront acres with a 3,000-foot private white-sand beach, Salterra brings a full luxury resort experience to an island still defined by its historic salinas, pristine waters, bonefishing flats and uninhabited cays. Upon landing at South Caicos International Airport (XSC), guests are approximately 10 minutes from the resort.

While flights go on sale today, the airline’s BermudAir Holidays vacation-packaging division will offer curated travel to South Caicos from next month, featuring flights, hotels and authentic island experiences, with bundled discounts and value-added perks, making it even easier to explore the destination.

Previously BermudAir announced seven new routes to Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, from Newark (EWR), Boston (BOS), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), St Petersburg/Tampa (PIE) and Toronto (YYZ) which will all start in December except for Fort Lauderdale which begins October 26.

Expanded Winter Season

To South Caicos:
Twice-weekly nonstop from Newark (Sundays and Thursdays) from December 20 through April 25, 2027.
To Turks and Caicos:
Weekly nonstop from Newark (Saturdays) and one weekly direct service (Thursdays) from December 19 through April 29, 2027;
Weekly nonstop service from Boston (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027;
Weekly nonstop service from Baltimore-Washington (Thursdays), from December 24 through April 29, 2027;
Twice-weekly nonstop service from Raleigh-Durham (Thursdays and Sundays), from December 20 through May 2, 2027;
Thrice-weekly service from Fort Lauderdale (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), from October 26 through May 3, 2027;
Twice-weekly nonstop service from St Petersburg/Tampa (Mondays and Thursdays), from December 21 through May 3, 2027; and
Weekly nonstop service from Toronto (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027.

“We’re thrilled to continue expanding our Caribbean network as the premium leisure carrier from North America,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir. “Now New Yorkers can fly nonstop to two distinct sides of the Turks and Caicos Islands — Providenciales and the secluded island of South Caicos, home to the exquisite Salterra and Sailrock South Caicos resorts.”

The airline consistently earns Net Promoter Scores of 70+, one of the highest ratings in the airline industry. All flights will be operated on comfortable Embraer E190 aircraft, offering passengers the airline’s signature warm service and authentic island hospitality.

“South Caicos has always felt worlds away, and that is part of its magic,” said Michael Tibbetts, Founder and CEO of Salterra. “Beginning this winter, guests can fly nonstop from Newark in 3.5 hours, land at one of the newest international airports in the region and be at Salterra minutes later. This route makes a long weekend escape and an extended stay to one of the Caribbean’s most unspoiled islands remarkably easy, without changing the sense of discovery that makes South Caicos so special.”

For more information or to book flights, visit www.flybermudair.com. Salterra will offer dedicated stay packages timed to BermudAir’s Thursday and Sunday nonstop service. To book a stay at Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, visit www.salterra.com

News

Salt Cay Water Shortage Unresolved as Residents Question Promised Relief

Published

3 days ago

August 18, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

SALT CAY — Residents say Salt Cay’s prolonged water shortage remains unresolved, with no visible activity or relief from the measures Government said would be advanced last week.

The crisis began in June after a critical filter failed at the island’s reverse osmosis plant, severely disrupting local water production. Residents told Magnetic Media Tuesday morning that neither the replacement filter nor the promised bulk shipment of emergency water appeared to have arrived.

Minister of Innovation, Technology and Energy E. Jay Saunders, however, said the filter is already on Salt Cay.

“The RO filter is on Salt Cay and it’s being installed,” Saunders told Magnetic Media.

The large emergency water shipment has not materialised. Saunders said transporting more than 1,000 gallons in a single container requires a barge, and officials are still attempting to source one.

Government had previously indicated that it would try to deliver up to 2,500 gallons to partially replenish Salt Cay’s depleted storage tanks while repairs continued.

Saunders had initially projected that the RO plant would be fully operational by August 19. He now says the system is expected to return to full operation “in a few days.”

For residents, however, the immediate reality remains unchanged: the shortage continues, the bulk water has not arrived and the promised relief is not yet flowing.