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Turf Wars and Tight Lips fuelling violent crime in TCI, says Governor in Year One report

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Governor recognises Health Care Workers in Turks and Caicos in a ceremony held June 12; file photo

#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos – July 28, 2020 — Turks and Caicos young men are killing each other and the majority of serious crime is linked to turf or gang wars according to Nigel Dakin, TCI Governor who on Monday (July 26) addressed the nation in a message capturing the highlights of his first year in the post.

Fresh recruits. Turks and Caicos candidates at Police Graduation held in June 18 in The Bahamas; photo by Derek Carroll

Beyond the sadness when a member of our society is a victim of crime who has no association whatsoever with the world I’ve just described – indeed has lived their life standing against this sort of nihilism – the horrible truth is that our young men are killing each other; increasingly the victim knows the perpetrator and visa-versa,” explained Governor Dakin.

Crime statistics for 2019 remain unpublished, but in the Governor’s presentation there is strong indication that upward trends in violence remain vexing.  His Excellency said 70 percent of serious crime victims were under the age of 30; that 95 percent of those victims were men and 90 percent of the violent crime involved a firearm.

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Retaliatory crime is driving these disturbing trends and the Governor, who heads National Security shared, “We increasingly observe that even those seriously injured in attacks, often as collateral to a murder victim who they are associated with, choose not to provide the Police with a statement.” 

Turks and Caicos Police graduates. Photo by Derek Carroll

Governor Dakin is an avid Instagram user with over 4,350 followers.  During his remarks, a peppered perspective on what could alleviate the seeming surge in crime was shared.

A regular contributor to my Instagram account therefore quite reasonably asked yesterday for timelines as to when she could expect changes. This was my response: Almost immediately if public outrage about crime converted to the public providing information about crime in equal measure…”

Nearly 30 new members added to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police was touted to bring concrete changes in public trust of the Force and investigative capabilities.

“… serious financial investments made in Policing by the Premier, at the recommendation of the Commissioner, should start to be felt this year – that includes community policing which helps provide the confidence the public need if they are to support the Police.  In the last 12 months 27 locally recruited officers have been trained for six months overseas and they are now back with us and ready to serve.”

Turks and Caicos new graduates from Police Training in The Bahamas in June 2020; photo by Derek Carroll

Investigative specialists have also been identified, and with funding support from the United Kingdom, two Superintendents will embark on a two year stint in the Turks and Caicos as part of the Tactical Unit.

“Both are tough and knowledgeable in detecting homicide – they will join the Force, mentor and support their TCI colleagues who will replace them in two years, and report to the local Police Executive Leadership.”

Appointed to the newly created post in January, the Permanent Secretary of National Security is fixed on crafting a long term remedy, which is expected to do in the Turks and Caicos, what it has done for other overseas territories including Bermuda. 

Bermuda managed, through intervention, to reduce its murder count in 2019 to zero.

“Those that have properly got to grips with crime (Bermuda and Glasgow are great examples) have brought crime down in a sustained way. They however have found that is a 10-year programme. The National Security Permanent Secretary is pulling together, for the Premier, the programmatic disciplines this approach needs,” said the Governor on Monday.

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Ninety percent of murders are recorded in Providenciales, which is the economic hub of the country; yet the Governor was resolute that for tourists, the islands are safe.

“As we unpack and understand the figures, this therefore remains an incredibly safe tourist destination; but that’s certainly not the case if you are a young man living in Providenciales who is running with the wrong people.” 

According to Magnetic Media records, there were 13 homicides in 2019 and 12 people murdered so far, in 2020.

Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.

Caribbean News

Wal Registre’s Impressive Rise at BTC

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: When Wal Registre started his career at Beaches Turks and Caicos (BTC) on October 25, 1997 as a bartender, little did he know that 25 years after, he would have risen to the post of payroll administrator within the same organisation.

The Raymond Gardiner High School graduate was always good at accounting and mathematics and had the dream of excelling in the hospitality industry in an area that would best fit his passion and academic strength.

Having been promoted to bar supervisor in 1999, Wal’s vision for growth was still active as he recognised that being a team member at Beaches Turks and Caicos would allow him to excel beyond his comfort zone. Following the completion of a number of courses with the Sandals Corporate University (SCU), he transitioned to the Cost Control unit in the Accounting Department as the cost control clerk.

Wal pointed out that his ability to grow within the company was largely due to his commitment to excellence. The SCU courses that were offered gave him the added training needed to build on what he was able to learn on the job and from his mentors.

“At BTC, training is very important to each employee. There are many opportunities for professional development and with the guidance from the Learning and Development team, and the leaders within the company, team members can truly grow,” Registre added.

One of Wal’s colleagues, Janet King, noted, “Wal’s commitment serves as an example to every team member here. His ability to grow from an entry level position to where he is now shows that everyone can succeed once they put their minds to it.”

While expressing his commitment to his profession, Wal’s dedication and discipline are traits that he values and chooses to pass on to those he leads. In sharing his advice to younger professionals seeking to enter the industry, he noted, “this organisation believes in quality work life balance that will allow each team member valuable time with family. This period helps me to maintain a bond with my family and explore the world. Training within this company is available for everyone and the ability to grow professionally is dependent on each person having the right attitude to grow.”

 

Release: BTC

Photo Captions

Header:Wal Registre, Payroll Administrator at Beaches Turks and Caicos makes final checks as he goes through documents at his desk at the resort

Insert: Anna Francis, Accountant in the Finance department at Beaches Turks and Caicos and Wal Registre, Payroll Administrator at the resort pause from discussing work related items to smile for the camera

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Caribbean News

Special Needs Unit Students at Thelma Lightbourne Primary School recognised by BTC

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands –  Parents and students from the Special Education Unit at the Thelma Lightbourne Primary School were recently recognized by the Beaches Turks and Caicos team during a special session at the institution as part of autism awareness activities.

Children’s Activities Manager Fedeline Julien shared, “educating students, parents, teachers and other adults about the best practices of dealing with children with autism is needed especially in our homes and schools. Children who are autistic do things differently and should be treated with patience and care.”

Robin Cox Foster, principal of the school said, “the partnership between Beaches Turks and Caicos and our school is always welcome. As the only resort on island that is an autism certified centre, they were readily available to share with our students and their parents. The involvement of the Sesame Street character, the presentations from the Kids Camp team to the parents allowed those present to appreciate their roles in being change agents for autism.”

Caring for a child with special needs was highlighted as an opportunity to create a closer bond between child and parent/caregivers.

Walter Moore, who has a son on the spectrum shared, “being able to deal with the many challenges of a special needs child will assist parents in being more patient and creative in how they care for a child. My son and I are best friends. He is comfortable talking with me about anything and I have to learn how to respect his likes and dislikes and create an environment that makes him happy.”

Beaches Turks and Caicos’ Kids Camp is an Advanced Certified Autism Centre which ensures that team members have the required knowledge, skills, temperament, and expertise to cater to all children. The resort offers age-specific programmes for infants, toddlers, pre-teens and teens.

 

Release: BTC

 

Photo Captions:

Header: Tanya Swann (left), Director of Sales, Groups and Conventions at Beaches Turks and Caicos introduces the team of volunteers who were present while Robin Cox-Foster, school principal looks on

1st Insert: Walter Moore (left) Beaches Turks and Caicos team member shares a moment with his son (right) and Sesame Street character Sesame Street

2nd Insert: Some members of the Beaches Turks and Caicos Sandals Foundation team share a moment at the Thelma Lightbourne Primary School during a presentation to the institution

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Government

PUBLIC STATEMENT – ROAD CLOSURES ON GRAND TURK

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#TurksandCaicos, June 2, 2023 – The Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development in collaboration with the Water Undertaking, Ministry of Home Affairs would like to advise the Public of the closure on the intersection of Airport Road and Osbourne Road area as part of the on-going Pipe Laying project on Grand Turk. The works are expected to last not exceeding 24 hours. The road will be closed for traffic during the period of June 03, 2023 from 7:00 Am to 7:00 PM.

Alternative re-route:

  • Vehicles heading North bound, turn right to Osbourne and turn Left to Barrack Hill Road.
  • Vehicles heading South bound, turn right to Ponce de Leon Street and turn left to Palm Grove Drive

TRAFFIC CONTROL PLAN

҉NOTICE OF ROAD CLOSURE TO FACILITATE INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS ON SATURDAY 3RD OF JUNE 2023 FROM 7AM TO 7PM PROJECT: UPGRADING OF WATER DISTIBUTION FACILITIES IN GRAND TURK TR 21/55 C

 

FROM THE MINISTRY OF PHYSICAL PLANNING 

AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT  

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