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Unacceptable Crime, TCI already with FOUR Murders for 2022

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By Deandrea Hamilton

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#TurksandCaicos, March 17, 2022 – Four people have been killed in not quite three months of 2022 in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and if this figure were measured to larger nations on a per capita basis, the figure would be appalling.

There are just too many crimes being committed and too of our people being lost and while everyone knows it, speaks out against it, the heinous nature of violence is escalating, not dissipating.

‘An unacceptable level of crime’, is how the Commissioner of Police, Trevor Botting started a three page recount of the crimes committed in Provo over the past five days.

“This level of violence, perpetrated by young men has left a trail of tragedy across these beautiful islands that is unacceptable in any civilized society.”

There were not two, (as we had previously reported) but four armed hold ups on Friday night in the span of 90 minutes said the Commissioner.

The first happened in Grace Bay where 4 armed men stole from two victims, that was at 8:14pm… then three armed men robbed a family in Glass Shack, that happened at 8:42pm… by 8:43pm there was the armed robbery of Sunny Foods, where a cashier was robbed and the fourth offence was on Venetian Road, at 9:46pm where three people were robbed.

Shots were fired only at the Sunny Foods crime, no one was injured in any of the incidents and all were in the earlier part of the evening.

Already, Police had a big job to do in investigating this maddening spree, but the coming days would be worse.

Two young men were shot on Sunday, informed the Commissioner.  He said the motive was revenge or retribution between groups of young men.

“Such incidents seem to be motivated by revenge or retribution between groups of young men or even within criminal groups often, over minor disputes.  Such acts are ruining young lives on the TCI and have no place in our society. These young men have to find another way to live their lives rather than through violence and guns. I am appealing to them directly to stop the cycle of violence, a cycle that makes you more likely to die a violent death, a cycle that will ultimately result in spending most of your life in prison and a cycle that is causing death and misery to others.”

It was a 48 year old man who was attacked around 8am Saturday at the Providenciales Landfill, off Millennium Highway.  The worker was shot and robbed of cash at a place where the island’s garbage is dropped off.  The man, who remains unidentified by authorities had emergency surgery, sadly on Monday, that man passed away.

“Police attended to find that a 48-year-old man had been shot during a robbery where he had cash stolen from him. The man was taken to hospital where he had emergency surgery. Unfortunately, despite the efforts of the medical team the man succumbed to his injuries on Monday 14th March.”

By 6pm that same day – Saturday March 12 – there was another shooting.  The man in this case was dead at the scene.  The Commissioner said the man killed in this homicide was a suspect in very serious crimes and that his shooting was a targeted attack.

Again, retribution is cited as the likely motive.

By Tuesday morning, Turks and Caicos had recorded two new murders.  By Tuesday night, there were at three people killed in three days.

“The third murder was just last evening. Just after 9pm a man was shot during what was believed to be a robbery in the area known as the Well, just off South Dock Road. The murder last evening was as senseless and barbaric an act as you can imagine; a man who posed no threat to the armed criminals who were seeking to rob and terrorize him shot him for no reason whatsoever, a cold hearted and hideous act of violence.”

The Police Commissioner confirmed that the killing of a beloved IT professional, once at the TCI Community College and then at InterHealth Canada was outrageous.

Four murders so far for 2022 and everyone would agree with his characterisation, that this is a ‘terrible start to the year.’

“My officers are working tirelessly to investigate these crimes and other officers are undertaking operations, some overt and some covert to identify the offenders,” Botting insisted.

Condolences were offered to the families and appeals were given to the general public for at least three things: information you may have in any of these criminal events; intervention by loved ones and relatives, particularly for young men who may be headed down this doomed path and participation in the gun amnesty.

If you have an unregistered firearm, turn it in.  There is a cash reward for doing the right thing and there are still 14 days left; the Gun Amnesty of the Royal TCI Police & the PNP Administration ends March 31, 2022.

So far, there have been no weapons handed over.

 

Bahamas News

Collaborative Efforts to Combat Cyber Crime Begins in the Bahamas

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Defence Headquarters  – The United States Northern Command, in partnership with local law enforcement agencies, has officially launched Cyber Shark 25, a pivotal cybersecurity initiative aimed at enhancing collaboration and developing strategies to combat cybercrime. The event commenced today and will run through Thursday, October 24, 2024, at the Training Auditorium aboard HMBS Coral Harbour.

In his opening remarks, the Captain of Coral Harbour, Captain Glenn McPhee welcomed participants from various sectors, emphasizing the critical importance of cooperation in addressing the evolving threats posed by cybercrime. He provided an overview of the course, highlighting its focus on knowledge sharing, skill enhancement, and the establishment of a unified front against cyber threats that transcend national borders.

The event has drawn representatives from various organizations, including the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF), the Central Bank of the Bahamas, the U.S. Coast Guard, and various law enforcement agencies from both the Bahamas and the United States. These stakeholders engaged in discussions aimed at identifying innovative approaches to prevent cybercrime and bolster the security of digital infrastructures.

Cyber Shark 25 serves as a vital platform for fostering dialogue and collaboration among experts and practitioners. By leveraging the expertise of both American and Bahamian representatives, the initiative seeks to cultivate a comprehensive understanding of the challenges posed by cybercrime, while also developing actionable solutions that can be implemented across jurisdictions.

As the event unfolds over the next three days, participants will engage in workshops, training sessions, and collaborative discussions designed to enhance their capabilities in combating cyber threats. The insights gained during Cyber Shark 25 are expected to contribute significantly to ongoing efforts to safeguard the cyber landscape for both nations.

Under the leadership of Commander Defence Force, Commodore Raymond E. King, the RBDF is dedicated to exploring advanced technology and fostering innovation. We value the passion and talent within our organization’s human capital, and through these efforts, we aim to unlock their potential. By embracing modern technology and encouraging creative thinking, we empower our personnel to contribute to the ongoing success of the RBDF.

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Experience Turks and Caicos Hosts Two-Day Workshop on Product Development and Vendor Excellence in Grand Turk

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PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS  – Experience Turks and Caicos hosted a successful two-day workshop on October 18th and 19th, 2024, with tour operators and vendors, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to enhance their product offerings and guest experiences.

The workshops were held in collaboration with the Aquila Centre for Cruise Excellence with facilitators Ms. Marie Berthe Hatt and Ms. Melanie Colpitts leading the discussions. Experience Turks and Caicos and Aquila are Platinum Partners with the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA).

The workshops took place at the Yellowman and Sons auditorium in Grand Turk and focused on two critical areas: Product Development and Vendor Excellence, with an emphasis on creating and delivering innovative experiences that respond to today’s travel trends.

As cruise destinations continuously evolve to stay competitive, the Product Development Workshop provided participants with a roadmap to ensure their destination remains fresh and appealing to both cruise lines with the theme: “What’s New in Your Destination?” Key topics included identifying market opportunities and emerging trends, crafting unique and memorable guest experiences, marketing strategies to get experiences noticed and ensuring product sustainability.

The Vendor Excellence workshop, held on the second day, highlighted the pivotal role vendors play in shaping the overall cruise guest experience. This half-day workshop was designed to empower vendors with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide exceptional service, improve sales, and enhance their contribution to the destination’s success. Key topics covered during the Vendor Excellence workshop included understanding the critical role of vendors in the success of cruise tourism, optimising products and services for maximum impact, sales mastery and improving revenue-generating capabilities and developing a guest-centric approach to service

Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Josephine Connolly, applauded the Product Development Team, led by Product Development Manager Mrs. Candesha Mills, for creating an opportunity for tour operators and vendors to enhance their offerings.

“Developing our products to increase visitation and spend on island is a very important aspect of the work of Experience Turks and Caicos. These workshops will go a long way to spark new ideas and new businesses, to improve the way business is conducted, enhance the product development on the island and to affirm our commitment to ensuring that everyone across the Turks and Caicos Islands benefit from the tourism industry. I applaud the team for this initiative and I thank everyone who attended and participated in these workshops,” the Minister said.

Mrs Mills said: “The two-day workshop was incredibly informative and facilitated great discussions among the participants. Tour operators and vendors walked away with a wealth of knowledge on how to enhance their existing products and services and were inspired to create new ones based on current market trends. This training equipped them with the tools they need to stay competitive and continue delivering exceptional experiences to our cruise guests.”

Ms. Berthe Hatt, shared her enthusiasm following the two-day workshops: “Grand Turk is such a special community, and Melanie and I are so grateful to Experience Turks and Caicos for this opportunity to work with the tour operators and vendors here. Over the last two days, we’ve had such engaged participants and great discussions around new product ideas and raising the level of service. We’re excited and cheering you on.”

Each attendee received a certificate of completion, symbolising their readiness to contribute to the success of the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier cruise destination.

Experience Turks and Caicos continues to lead efforts in enhancing the destination’s offerings and empowering local stakeholders, ensuring the islands remain a top choice for cruise lines and their guests.

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Bahamas News

Partnership between BPL and Bahamas Utilities Holdings Limited (BUC) to allow greater BPL generation capacity and improved service

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From: Bahamas Information Services

 

 

NASSAU, The Bahamas —  The Ministry of Energy and Transport, in collaboration with Bahamas Power and Light and Bahamas Utilities Holdings Ltd. held a Commissioning Ceremony for Dual Fuel Turbine Engines, October 15, 2024 at Sun Oil Headquarters, Clifton Pier.

Minister of Energy and Transport, the Hon. JoBeth Coleby-Davis said: “Today, we are commissioning two dual-fuel turbine engines, because of a public-private partnership between BPL and Bahamas Utilities Holdings Limited (BUC).

“The partnership is guided by a Power Purchase Agreement, commonly referred to as a PPA. PPA’s are standard practice in the energy field.

The PPA for this project includes clearly defined key performance indicators and penalties for nonperformance. Provisions have also been included to lock down rates, which will protect Bahamian households and businesses from large cost fluctuations.”

She noted, “In many countries, including the United States, PPAs have been successful in positively transforming the energy system, delivering consistent electricity supply, reducing carbon emissions, and providing cost-savings.

“The partnership with Bahamas Utilities Holdings Limited will allow for BPL to increase its generation capacity, with direct benefits for households and businesses in New Providence such as improved reliability in electricity service.

“Currently, the available electricity capacity on New Providence is 256 megawatts.  At full capacity, these engines will add 62 megawatts of electricity to the grid.

“The engines allow for dual fuel technology which will enhance operational flexibility, however by June 2025, the engines will run on LNG.

“The LNG fuel will be provided by Shell North America.”

The Minister explained that for over 60 years, Shell has been a pioneer in LNG and today has a leading integrated gas and LNG business, from producing gas, liquefying gas, trading and shipping it, then turning the LNG back into gas and distributing it to customers.  Further, she said, Shell is one of the world’s leading LNG suppliers, trading 67 million tonnes of LNG in 2023, around 16 percent of the global LNG market.

Continuing: “The partnership between BPL and Bahamas Utilities Holdings Limited is representative of a strategic solution that has proven to be effective and successful in transforming the energy market.

“As a small island developing nation, we must embrace partnerships to grow and deliver meaningful benefits for the Bahamian people. And if we are to be honest, several of our nation’s most successful projects have been birthed through partnerships – Atlantis, Baha Mar, and Lynden Pindling International Airport all stand as testaments to the value of positive partnerships.

“By partnering with reputable companies – those with international experience and proven track records of success, we firmly believe that a brighter energy future for our nation will be secured.

“And let there be no doubt, that as we partner with international companies, we are also resolute on creating opportunities for Bahamian businesses.

“We are proud that all the successful partners for the renewable projects in New Providence and the Family Islands are at least 51 percent Bahamian owned – and in some instances 100 percent Bahamian owned.”

Minister Coleby-Davis said more of the energy vision and plans will be shared in the near future, and pointed out some significant steps that have already been taken, including:  “the passage of the Electricity and Natural Gas Acts, the implementation of the Equity Rate Adjustment initiative at BPL which zero rated the base rate for the first 200 kilowatts of electricity for all residential consumers, the expansion of renewable energy projects in Schools, and the selection of independent power producers to build utility scale renewable energy power in the Family Islands.”

The energy transformation is a journey towards positive and meaningful lasting results, she said, and promise of a brighter energy future, eliciting for households, lower power bills; for large businesses inventory expansion and the hiring of additional staff, and for small and medium sized businesses, improved cash flows and profits.

 

(BIS Photos/Anthon Thompson)

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