TCI News

TCI Governor Meets With Concerned Citizen, Willandra Elliott

Published

5 years ago

July 1, 2020

REPORT SUBMITTED BY WILLANDRA ELLIOTT

On Friday, 19^th June 2020 at 5:00pm, His Excellency The Governor Nigel Dakin (responsible for national security and boarder control) met with Ms. Willandra Elliott at the Governor’s Office in Providenciales. The meeting specifically addressed core issues regarding the surge in crime and gun violence.

According to Ms. Elliott, H.E. Governor Dakin confirmed that he assumed his post within the Turks & Caicos Islands approximately eleven months ago, and within one month of his arrival, Mr. Trevor Botting, current Commissioner of Police, arrived. From 8^th April 2019 throughout 19^th June 2020, a total of 24 murders had been reported. Of these, 23 murders were committed with the use of firearm, 92% of victims being males, and 40% of murders believed to be gang related. Ms. Elliott commented, “This is a clear indication of the magnitude of gun violence and its adverse impact on our country.”

H.E. Governor Dakin confirmed that Premier Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson’s 12-point crime plan was derived from the Bermuda and Glasgow models of the Crime and Violence Reduction Strategy. However, it is assumed that the plan will take approximately ten years to reap the expected benefits. Ms. Elliott then conveyed the dire need for a Crime and Violence Reduction Strategy that would begin to reap immediate results as many families are losing loved ones often, and on a far-too-regular basis due to violent crimes.

H.E. Governor Dakin raised the point that a total of twenty-seven police officers recently completed training, and will return upon the opening of the boarders. These officers received training in the areas of basic operations such as administration and investigation, which is intended to strengthen the intelligence operations of the Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force. In responding to this, Ms. Elliott mentioned that educating our police officers represents only half the battle as the relationship between the police and community has been strained for quite some time, and requires strengthening as well. Ms. Elliott further explained that ensuring reinstatement of all community police stations and keeping confidentiality regarding witness protection and tips in the highest of confidence could positively reinforce this relationship. In this regard, H.E. Governor Dakin recommended the use of the Crime Stoppers hotline.

Ms. Elliott also addressed the lack of adequate compensation for police officers. H.E. Governor Dakin acknowledged, in defense of the current payroll, that police officers receive additional benefits separate and apart from salaries. Theses benefits were not identified.

Matters regarding the prison, its expansion, and rehabilitation of the prisoners were also examined. H.E. Governor Nigel Dakin confirmed that the “Yellow Wing’ of the prison which currently and mostly houses inmates convicted of murder has been tendered, and rebuilding will commence in the near future. He also indicated that there is additional Crown Land surrounding the prison, which makes expansion very possible. In light of prisoners often being prematurely released due to inadequate facilities and overcrowding, Ms. Elliott queried the reason for delay in the expansion of the prison, and went on to say, “Rehabilitation of prisoners should also be at the forefront to ensure that these persons are able to integrate into society with an easy transition and to enable them to make positive contributions to our society.”

Ms. Elliott also queried the purpose of the United Kingdom Armed Forces within the Turks & Caicos Islands and their current roles. H.E. Governor Dakin’s response was that troops of the Royal Marines are working with the Maritime Police to increase manpower as it pertains to boarder protection, including work to improve command, control and communication systems so as to achieve faster responses. Members of the medical team are working with the Turks & Caicos Islands health team to plan and support the public healthcare capacity of the country. The logistics team is responsible for bringing in health supplies from a Royal Naval Task Force located within our region. H.E. Governor Dakin also indicated that ongoing assistance is given to the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) to help the country better cope with both the current COVD-19 pandemic and the 2020 hurricane season. Data concerning post Irma and Maria Hurricanes were reviewed to assist with risk management planning and tabletop operations. Ongoing works are being done to interisland communication plans.

Ms. Elliott remains mindful that “the Queen” has appointed both H.E. Governor Nigel Dakin and Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting. “It is my personal view that, respectfully, the aforementioned gentlemen do not truly understand the plight of our people. After time served, they will return to their respective countries and we, the people, will still have to endure the adverse effects of our rapidly increasing crime rate, in particular gun violence, unsolved crimes and boarders that are ineffectively protected. It is time to stand in solidarity in our efforts to restore our beautiful by nature and peaceful by choice Turks & Caicos Islands, and make our voices heard. I am hereby prepared to be the essence of eccentricity, even if it means standing alone. Turks & Caicos Stand Up, Speak Up and Stay Woke!”

Related Topics:#governortci #tcicrime #turksandcaicosnews #willandraelliot

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TCI News

VisitTCI and Potcake Place Highlight Growing Homeless Dog Crisis

Published

6 hours ago

October 10, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands could soon be facing a major tourism problem: thousands more stray dogs.

It’s a likely consequence of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ban on US puppy imports, says Potcake Place K9 Rescue founder and director Jane ParkerRauw in a new video produced by Visit Turks and Caicos Islands.

The collaboration between the country’s leading tourism website and the charity dog rescue—which works to reduce the local population of homeless dogs—sheds light on how the CDC ruling has disrupted the charity’s operations and is contributing to an alarming rise in the country’s homeless dogs.

“It’s going to take years of getting back from [the progress we’ve lost] over the last 14 months,” said Parker-Rauw in an interview with VisitTCI. “I can’t stress how in such a short period of time, this is going to have such an impact on tourism here.”

On Aug. 1, 2024, the CDC’s ban on importing dogs less than six months old into the US took effect. The ban aims to prevent the introduction of DMRVV (dog-maintained rabies virus variant) into the US.

Since then, Potcake Place has been unable to find homes for hundreds of puppies. For the first time in the rescue’s 25-year history, they have had to turn away dogs.

“If we allow stray dogs to overrun the islands, it will inevitably affect the experience of our visitors and the tourism industry as a whole,” says Daniel J. LeVin, executive editor of VisitTCI. “Visit Turks and Caicos Islands works hard to promote the Turks and Caicos as one of the world’s premier travel destinations, and that means supporting efforts that protect the environment, community, and visitor experience.”

Many residents of Providenciales remember a time when wild dogs were shot to keep packs in check, or more recently, the fatal attack of a North Caicos woman in 2012 by feral dogs.

Large stray populations pose health and safety risks, deter tourists, and strain public resources. Many puppies the Potcake Place has had to turn away since the ban began have likely already had puppies themselves, says Parker-Rauw.

The impact of controlling a potentially explosive population of homeless dogs could have serious negative effects on the Turks and Caicos tourism industry, as seen in countries like Turkey.

“Two dogs in six years, if none of their offspring die, will produce 62,000 dogs,” says Parker-Rauw. “This is a major problem.”

The United States accounts for over 80% of visitors to the Turks and Caicos Islands and the vast majority of Potcake Place’s adoptions.

Since the ban came into effect, US adoptions have dropped from roughly 500 per year to just five per month, says Parker-Rauw. Getting older puppies to the US is challenging, as they’re too large for airline cabins and not permitted in the hold of planes traveling between Turks and Caicos and the US.

Potcake Place has been advocating for a revision of the ban to allow puppies from lowrisk rabies or rabies-free countries into the US. Turks and Caicos is a DMRVV-free country, and all puppies adopted through Potcake Place are fully vaccinated before travel.

This collaboration is one of several that Visit Turks and Caicos Islands has spearheaded this year to promote sustainable tourism. Both the video and an expanded article can be found at www.visittci.com/news .

TCI News

Turks and Caicos Islands Reaffirms Status as Premier Beach and Romance Destination at World Travel Awards

Published

4 days ago

October 6, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Mr. Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant, Experience Turks and Caicos

PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS – (October 6th, 2025) – The Turks and Caicos Islands has once again reaffirmed its status as the Caribbean’s premier beach and romance destination at the annual World Travel Awards.

At the ceremony held in Saint Lucia on October 4th, the destination was named the region’s Leading Beach Destination and Most Romantic Destination. Turks and Caicos has captured the Leading Beach Destination title every year since 2015 and the Most Romantic Destination award for seven consecutive years.

“It is no secret that the Turks and Caicos Islands is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, and we are honoured that voters continue to recognise this. Our pristine waters and secluded settings also make the destination one of the world’s most romantic getaways, especially for couples seeking luxury and intimacy. On behalf of Experience Turks and Caicos, I extend sincere thanks to the World Travel Awards and to everyone who voted in support of our islands,” said Mr. Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant, Experience Turks and Caicos.

Experience Turks and Caicos would like to extend congratulations to our hotel partners and stakeholders who also won regional recognition at the World Travel Awards.

Beaches – Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort 2025

The Palms – Caribbean’s Leading All-Suite Hotel 2025

Ambergris Cay Private Island Resort – Caribbean’s Leading Private Island Resort 2025

InterCaribbean – Caribbean’s Leading Cabin Crew 2025

Turks and Caicos Islands Awards

Windsong Resort – Turks and Caicos Leading Boutique Hotel 2025

The Palms – Turks and Caicos Leading Hotel 2025

Grace Bay Club – Turks and Caicos Leading Luxury Resort 2025

The Shore Club – Turks and Caicos Leading Resort 2025

Four-bedroom Oceanfront Penthouse @Windsong Resort – Turks and Caicos Leading Hotel Suite 2025

Avis – Turks and Caicos Leading Car Rental Company 2025

Caicos Dream Tours – Turks and Caicos Leading Tour Operator 2025

Olympia Destination Management Company – Turks and Caicos Leading Destination Management Company 2025

The Turks and Caicos Islands now has an opportunity to win ultimate recognition in global travel and tourism with three global nominations in the World Travel Awards for the following:

World’s Leading Beach Destination
World’s Leading Island Destination
World’s Most Romantic Destination

The “World’s Leading” categories are the highest in the World Travel Awards programme. Voting runs from October 6^th -26th October 2025. Votes can be cast by travel professionals, media and tourism consumers, with the nominee gaining the most votes announced as the 2025 World Travel Awards winner.

TCI News

103 Migrants Intercepted by U.S. Coast Guard and TCI Agencies

Published

3 weeks ago

September 21, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Turks and Caicos, September 21, 2025 – On Sunday, September 21st, 2025, the United States Coast Guard Southeast (USCG), working in coordination with the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) Marine Branch, the TCI Regiment, and the TCI Border Force, intercepted a vessel carrying 103 migrants bound for Providenciales.

The suspicious vessel, first tracked by the USCG, was stopped at sea and later secured by the Sea Guardian vessel, which towed it safely to South Dock Marina. Upon arrival, the migrants were disembarked and handed over to the TCI Border Force for processing.

A breakdown of those on board confirmed:

75 males (including two minors)
28 females (including two minors)

This interception marks the 18th such operation in 2025, bringing the total number of migrants detained this year to 1,510. The RT&CIPF thanks the USCG and local agencies for their close cooperation, noting that this successful outcome demonstrates the effectiveness of layered security measures protecting the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Force reminds the public that illegal migration is dangerous and life-threatening, and violations of the law will not be tolerated.

Anyone with information on illegal migration is urged to contact the nearest police station, call 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 or via the P3 app.

Photos Courtesy: Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force