#Providenciales – September 1, 2020 – He is labelling it, a “runaway rate of crime” in his cell phone message today; circulated widely on social media. Opposition Leader, Washington Misick is outraged and unapologetic in his criticism of how the PDM Administration has managed the rise in gun crime.
“The Turks and Caicos Islands is at the top of the most
dangerous countries in the world, that is a shocking statistic and one that
requires a robust and unconventional response from government. Yet, there appears to be no urgency on the
part of the Premier,” said Misick, who is also a former chief minister of the
Turks and Caicos.
“People ladies and gentlemen, are being forced to convert
their homes into fortresses and businesses are now beginning to close because
of the threat crime poses to their employees.”
On Monday, TC Paint & Supply Ltd made a shocking
announcement via a notice which went viral, locally.
It informed: ‘TCI
Paint and Supply Ltd will be closed from today August 31, 2020 until further
notice due to the alarming increase in crime.
It is with great regret that we’ve come to this decision but the safety
of our staff is of utmost importance. We
urge the powers that be as well as the community to work together to bring
speedy change to this new and endangering environment of violent and life-threatening
crime.”
While there are constant declarations that crime should
never be politicized by both party leaders; among Turks and Caicos political
leaders the issue often is laced with political overtones.
As Opposition Leader for the PDM, Sharlene Robinson decried
insufficient police funding, high unemployment rate and pointed to her 12-point
crime plan as a reasonable and ready solution.
Now, the Opposition Leader who is vigorously preparing his
team for a general election tells social media audiences that, “…the Premeir
and her colleauges are sleep walking, hoping they will automatically disappear. Ladies and gentlemen, I can no longer give
the Premier a free pass while people’s lives and livelihoods are in
danger. Leadership and empathy are
needed at this point in time to bring security and relief to the hurting people
of these Turks and Caicos Islands.”
Washington Misick, in the brief video promised the Progressive
National Party would “not rest until they get the message.”
Turks and Caicos has recorded 18 murders for 2020 so far;
already the deadliest year on record.
