TCI News
TCI: Press Statement from the Leader of the Opposition
#Providenciales, October 15, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – “The threat of crime is real, and the long-term peace of the TCI is at risk. It is past time to trade rhetoric for action.”
On Saturday, 12th October 2019, we woke up to a report of the 13th murder of the year. This came after 10 days of brazen and unchecked violence at the hands of cowards.
On 6th March 2017, in a press statement I lamented and condemned the growing incident of violent crimes perpetrated against innocent persons. In that press statement I pledged solidarity with the Government (not silence) in the fight against crime and have since then repeatedly affirmed my belief that the fight against crime must not be a political one. On 29th July 2017, in yet another press statement, I was forced to acknowledged that our peaceful homeland was facing a crisis as both the incidence and gravity of criminal acts ballooned.
Then, on 31st July 2019 I was compelled to reluctantly issue another press statement addressing the escalation in gun crimes resulting in deaths. However, the situation in the last ten days has been the most troubling to date. Those who would rob, maim and kill us have shown that they are prepared to act in the light of day without regard for the police.
Unfortunately, the response to this threat has been routine and lukewarm, while the fate of our families and communities are being threatened. Local law enforcement is out gunned and outmanned. Law abiding citizens are imprisoned in their own homes and all the while there is a deafening silence and inaction from those who are elected to protect us, or who bear constitutional responsibility for the security of these Islands.
Fear and anxiety in our communities are running high amid calls for drastic and immediate action. We must now spare no cost or concern ourselves about individual egos in an effort to protect and bring the country back to a sense of normalcy; this calls for engagement with all stakeholders.
The structures in place to engage with stakeholders are woefully inadequate; as the Leader of the Opposition, I have no direct role in the security of the islands nor am I privy to decisions of the National Security Council. I am, however, a member of the National Security Council Advisory Group, which last met briefly on the 13th March 2019. Despite this, I have tried to provide advice to those with responsibility for direct security of these islands through press statements and monthly bilateral meetings with the Governor. While not exhaustive, the suggestions that I have made are practical, reasonable, affordable and implementable immediately.
In my July 2019 press release, I called for the following interim measures subject to the development of longer term strategies:
1. The Government to make available through supplementary appropriation, additional resources to increase police presence in the communities and places where violent crimes are prevalent;
2. The Government to pass legislation to require all residents to always carry a TCIG issued picture ID, and for visitors to provide IDs and an address on the islands when required to do so by law enforcement officers;
3. The Government to consider limited curfews at designated hours of the night in high risk areas;
4. Government to make available container and handheld scanning equipment at all ports to detect guns and other contraband;
5. The police to institute a system of surprise rolling roadblocks at strategic locations to search for firearms and other contrabands;
6. The police to make routine the search for unlicensed motor vehicles and unlicensed drivers; and
7. The cancelling of operating licences for businesses that have a history of violence on property.
In addition to the above, today I am advising the Government to take the following steps immediately.
• Re-establish the Police Training School for the training of recruits and continuous education for police officers;
• Immediately hire an additional 30 tactical trained police officers in addition to the 20 new recruits recently budgeted for;
• Institute a 90-day intensive training program for new recruits and initially deploy them on beat duty in the various communities;
• Install check points on all roads in/out of high-risk communities;
• Open at least 3 additional Police Stations/Posts – Blue Hills, Five Cays and Kew Town;
• Acquire and deploy at least twenty unmarked police cars manned by plain clothes police officers for undercover duty;
• Expedite the introduction of a biometric unique identifier system for every person legally entitled to reside in the islands;
• Create a database of Turks & Caicos Islanders deported from foreign countries;
• Introduce a witness protection legislative and support framework system for informers of violent crimes;
• Introduce Electronic Monitoring legislation to allow for the monitoring of persons on bail and parole; and
• Introduce Telephone Intercept Communications legislation like that used in the Cayman Islands.
I am fully aware that my suggestions do not take into consideration the root cause of crime in our country and therefore the measures suggested are containment, abatement and control responses. The root causes of crime are largely economic and social constructs and the political directorate must now come to grips with the need to balance rapid economic growth with home grown social development goals, economic fairness and inclusiveness to rebuild the social capital of the TCI.
Crime impacts everyone, and the solution requires active sectoral representation. The current situation demands an immediate meeting of the National Security Council Advisory Group to receive detail updates on the recently announced National Security Strategy, and to provide input into security enhancement measures to protect our communities.
Going forward it is of critical importance that the National Security Council Advisory Group is routinely engaged as critical partners in the security of the Turks and Caicos Islands.– the threat of crime is real, and the long-term peace of the TCI is at risk. It is past time to trade rhetoric for action!!! The PNP call on HMG in the UK to take strong measures now to protect the people and economy of the TCI. We call on this PDM Administration to stand with us and let us begin a non-violent protest movement until our justifiable security concerns are addressed.
May God bless us all; and may God bless the TCI.
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
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
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
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.
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