Bid to get 100 guns off TCI streets as Government finances amnesty

By Dana Malcolm,

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, March 3, 2022 – Over the past five years, yearly gun crimes have only decreased once. That singular decrease happened in the 2018 to 2019 period when 72 crimes were recorded compared to the 2017 to 2018 period where 137 gun related crimes were recorded.

The steady and rising nature of gun crimes in the Turks and Caicos is of great concern to Islanders and the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force says it’s a great concern to them as well. So much so that a gun amnesty slated for March 1-31 will pay any person who turns in an illegal or unregistered weapon or ammunition up to $500.

“It is true to say the number of gun related crimes in the TCI has increased over the years… we have the support, and with the initial funds that are available there will be vouchers of up to $500 for persons that surrender firearms.”

The government has backed up the police financially in this endeavor, says acting Premier, E. Jay Saunders.

“We cannot afford to have our citizens live in fear… for those who have decided they want to partake in a life of crime, I want to say, it is going to end in failure, because we will leave no stone unturned to make sure the TCI residents remain safe. When it comes to crime I want the criminals to know that our resolve is strong and our pockets are deep.”

The amnesty has the full support of the governor’s office as well, as told by Acting Governor, Anya Williams.

“I want to commend the police for seeing fit to launch this program As part of your community outreach program and to provide person who would’ve found themselves in the position of an illegal firearm the opportunity to read themselves of that firearm without being prosecuted.”

Despite the conditions, Acting Commissioner of Police, Rodney Adams said this month is a one-time deal only and following the end of the Gun Amnesty the police would show no mercy when it came to illegal guns. He explains how the amnesty would work.

“Too often we hear we don’t trust the police [so] there are about 20 Pastors as well as District Commissioners and other permanent residents that you will be able to call on.”

The pastors and district commissioners have received training on how to handle firearms safely so that when the guns finally start pouring in they will know how to handle them safely.

Acting Commissioner Adams indicated that a person if a person in the Turks and Caicos wanted to own a firearm they could do so the legal way, saying that the possibility of being issued a license was high.

He ended with a plea to the public

“Turks and Caicos you have an opportunity we are here to give you that opportunity… illegal gun crimes can destroy our economy it can also destroy families, make use of this opportunity.”

The collected guns will be destroyed with the help of the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources.