News
10 Days of Crime Reports from Royal TCI Police
#TurksandCaicos, April 22, 2022 – At around 1:15pm on Wednesday 6th April 2022 a Police Patrol in the Five Cays area reported to the Police. Control Room that they heard shots being fired. Soon after, the Police patrol found a man who appeared to have suffered a gunshot wound. He was transported by the Police Patrol to hospital where he is receiving treatment.
During this incident and again later during the evening it is believed that a number of shots have been fired within the Five Cays area and Officers from the RTCIPF are investigating the shooting of the man and the discharge of the firearms.
Following these incidents, a number of photographs have been circulating across the TCI on social media and within WhatsApp groups purporting to be related to the Turks and Caicos Islands and the incidents of shootings in Five Cays. The public are advised that the photographs are not believed to be related to the Turks and Caicos Islands and they should not be circulated further.
At around 1:15 pm on Wednesday 6th April 2022, a Police Patrol in the Five Cays area reported to the Police Control Room that they heard shots being fired. Soon after, the Police patrol found a man who appeared to have suffered a gunshot wound.
He was transported by the Police Patrol to the hospital where he is receiving treatment.
During this incident and again later during the evening it is believed that a number of shots have been fired within the Five Cays area and Officers from the RTCIPF are investigating the shooting of the man and the discharge of the firearms.
Following these incidents, a number of photographs have been circulating across the TCI on social media and within WhatsApp groups purporting to be related to the Turks and Caicos Islands and the incidents of shootings in Five Cays.
The public is advised that the photographs are not believed to be related to the Turks and Caicos Islands and they should not be circulated further.
At around 4:30 am on Monday, April 11, 2022, a planned policing operation to arrest a suspect for serious offences of violence and firearms-related crime was carried out at an address on Venetian Road, Providenciales.
During this operation, a single round from a Police Firearm was discharged which resulted in serious injuries to a suspect. The suspect is in hospital being treated and is under Police guard.
A Police Officer was also injured and is also receiving treatment in Hospital. A non-police issue firearm was recovered from the scene.
- Suspect Involved in Police Related Shooting Dies 12/4/2022
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force has confirmed that the suspect who was shot during the Policing operation in the early hours of today, Monday 11th April 2022, has died in hospital at about 8:15 pm tonight.
The circumstances of the discharge by the Police officer during the police operation remain under review as is normal in such circumstances and no further comment will be made at this stage.
- CRIME UPDATE 13/04/2022
AGGRAVATED BURGLARY – LONG BAY BEACH DRIVE, LONG BAY HILLS, PROVIDENCIALES
On Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at about 10:35 pm, Police Control Room received a report of an Aggravated Burglary in Long Bay Beach, Long Bay Hills, Providenciales. Officers from the Response and Operation Unit were dispatched to a villa on Long Bay Drive.
The victims were at home when three masked men, all dressed in black and armed with guns entered their villa through an unlocked door and demanded money. The culprits made off with an amount of cash, jewelry and mobile devices. No shots were fired.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-8477 (TIPS) or call 911.
- AGGRAVATED BURGLARY – LEEWARD ESTATES, PROVIDENCIALES
On Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at 12:05 am, Police Control Room received a report of an Aggravated Burglary in the area of Leeward Estates.
Officers from the Response and Operations Unit responded to the location and were informed by the victims that two masked men armed with a piece of pipe entered their villa through an unlocked door and demanded cash, which they made off with along with mobile devices. No injuries were reported. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-8477 (TIPS) or call 911.
- ROBBERY ON MILLENNIUM HIGHWAY, SUSPECT ARRESTED ON LEEWARD HIGHWAY, PROVIDENCIALES 17/4/2022
At about 9:13 pm on Saturday, April 15, 2022, the Police Control room received a report of an armed robbery along Millennium Highway, Providenciales. It was also reported that shots were fired and a victim sustained injuries. The culprits made off in a stolen vehicle.
Several Police Units responded to the scene along with Emergency Medical Services. The wounded victim was taken to the hospital for further medical treatment.
Shortly after, at about 9:46 pm, the Police Control Room was informed of another Robbery victim at the same location on Millennium Highway, whose vehicle was also stolen.
Later on that same night, Police Units received information and as a result, intercepted a vehicle along the Leeward Highway that matched the description of one of the stolen vehicles. The occupants fled the vehicle and ran into the bushes. Police Units were later informed of a man seen running down Leeward Highway and they responded to the location where they apprehended a man about to board a vehicle.
A search was conducted on the man and a bag in his possession. A black handgun was found on completion of the search. The man was arrested. The driver of the said vehicle was also arrested. Both men are currently in Police custody as the investigation continues.
- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REPORT ESCALATES TO MURDER INVESTIGATION 17/4/2021
Officers of the Serious Crime Unit have now launched a murder investigation after the victim of a domestic violence investigation passed away on Friday, April 15, 2022. The victim was flown to the Dominican Republic for further medical treatment.
The victim, a national of the Dominican Republic was hospitalized in the Dominican Republic at the time of her passing after she was struck by a vehicle on Thursday, April 14, 2022, which was driven by her ex-boyfriend.
The suspect has been in Police custody since Thursday, April 14, 2022, after he surrendered himself in relation to the investigation that was launched into the domestic violence report.
- Crime Update 17/4/2022
ROBBERY – LOWER BIGHT, PROVIDENCIALES
On Sunday, April 17 2022 at about 4:42 pm, the Police Control Room received a report of a Robbery in the Lower Bight area of Providenciales.
Police Units responded to the location, where they were informed by the victim that the culprit held him at gunpoint and then made off with his vehicle. No injuries were sustained. No shots were fired.
- AGGRAVATED BURGLARY – LOWER BIGHT, PROVIDENCIALES
On Sunday, April 17, 2022, at about 12:30 am, the Police Control room received a report that two masked men broke into a villa in the Lower Bight area of Providenciales.
Police and Emergency Services responded to the location. Police were informed by the occupants who were on vacation that two masked men, armed with a weapon, believed to be a machete, entered the home. A fifty-two-year-old man sustained injuries and was taken to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre for treatment.
No property was stolen.
- AGGRAVATED BURGLARY – GRACE BAY, PROVIDENCIALES
On Sunday, April 17, 2022, at about 12:39 am, the Police Control Room received a report of an Aggravated Burglary in the Grace Bay area of Providenciales.
Responding officers were informed by the occupants who were on vacation that, two masked men, armed with a weapon, entered their villa and demanded cash. The culprits made off with an amount of cash, jewelry and electronic devices.
Investigations have been launched into these incidents. Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-8477 (TIPS) or call 911.
- FIREARM SURRENDERED
On Sunday, April 17, 2022, a black Glock Pistol along with eight rounds of 45 cal ammunition were handed over to the Police. The weapon will be processed and dealt with accordingly.
February 3, 2023 – ILM Bahamas Centre held its Certificate Presentation Ceremony for Cohort 7. The cohort consisted of fourteen (14) Senior Immigration Officers from the Department of Immigration. This Cohort was a hybrid of in-person and online learning. Four of the Immigration Officers were from the Family Islands (Grand
Bahama, Abaco, Berry Islands and Eleuthera).
Present at the ceremony were: The Hon. Keith Bell, Minister of Labour and Immigration, Madam Justice J. Denise Lewis-Johnson, Permanent Secretary Ms. Ceceila Strachan, Executive Chair of NTA Ms. Agatha Marcelle, Executive Director of NTA Mr. Terry Murray, Director of Immigration Mrs. Keturah Ferguson, Deputy Director of Immigration Mr. Dwight Beneby, Ms. Esther McKinney Office Manager at the Department of Immigration.
The guest speaker at the ceremony was Dr. Donald M. McCartney a Leadership and Management Consultant with Motivation Incorporated Bahamas and the United States. He was a former senior public servant. He was also a First Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service with responsibility for the Northern Bahamas. He was also a former educator and professor at various colleges in the United States.
In his address to ILM Cohort 7, Dr. McCartney spoke about having the courage to lead and that leadership goes beyond SELF. It’s not about you or your ego but rather more about contributing to nation building. He said, “We
must be prepared to take the bold steps that would not lead us into the abyss of despair but on the road that leads us to lift up our heads to the rising sun and press onward to the mountaintop experience, which will lead us to become the proud and productive people we were destine to be.” He also expanded on the four fundamental virtues: COURAGE, TEMPERANCE, JUSTICE AND WISDOM. Additionally, he expanded on the focus and influence of courage, on the ego and discipline.
The Hon. Keith Bell, Minister of Labour and Immigration brought brief remarks on the occasion. Some of the highlights of his speech were that Immigration is one of the highest revenue earners, challenges within the Department of Immigration such as lack of autonomy from the Public Service as compared to the other armed forces. He also talked about that the fact that the top tier is going to be retired within two years and this would be an opportunity for many of the graduates of this Cohort 7 to gain upward mobility.
He also stated that there needs to be a complete overhaul of the Immigration Act, and a review of the Asylum Bill. Furthermore, he discussed the inevitable need for the relocation of the Department of Immigration from its current location. Lastly, he stated that we must tread a delicate balance between enforcing the law and being humane, in regards to shanty towns.
It is noteworthy that the ILM Centre at the National Training Agency recently obtained a Centre upgrade. The ILM Centre Bahamas now hold the statue of Direct Claim Status with City and Guilds of London. Additionally, the Centre is now registered with the National Accreditation and Equivalency Council of the Bahamas (NAECOB) for all of its current course offerings. The ILM Department is lead Miss Pamela Gomez as the ILM Centre Coordinator. Registration is now open for Level 2 Certificate in Leadership and Team Skill and Level 3 Certificate in Leadership and Management. Our mission statement is, “Helping people, organizations, and economies develop their skills for growth.”
For more information, contact the ILM Centre Bahamas located in the Gladstone Road Business Centre by calling 461-6021 or 461-6008.
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
February 7, 2023 – A global battle on sugar and salt is ramping up as the United States joins The Bahamas and Barbados in creating proposals for historic sugar and salt laws.
The country’s Agricultural Department for the first time in history, proposed a cap on the amount of sugar to be allowed in school meals.
The World Health Organization has found that North America and the Caribbean have the highest rates of childhood diabetes in the world and based on the International Diabetes Federation’s Diabetes Atlas we also have the second
highest prevalence of Diabetes overall for all global regions at 14 percent or 51 million people with a projected 24 percent increase in just 22 years.
Barbados, the United States, Canada, Haiti, Mexico, Belize and St. Kitts and Nevis are all suffering from incredibly high rates of diabetes.
Barbados and The Bahamas announced sugar taxes last month; the hope is to reduce the importation and sale of sugar and salt rich foods.
Advocates across the Caribbean including Jamaica, Trinidad, and others have been campaigning for sugar taxes in their own countries with support from the public.
Now the proposed nutritional rules for the United States would set firm boundaries on how much salt and sugar can legally be added to meals, setting a new standard as most food imports for countries like The Bahamas are from the US.
The plan for the US is expected to be rolled out by 2025.
The rules, are unapologetically an attempt to cut down incidences of diabetes and other diseases fueled by unhealthy diets, according to media reports.
For now, the quantities on sugar and salt additives is an idea waiting wider consultation.
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#USA, February 7, 2023 – Chinese owned TikTok has officially been banned from Government devices in another US State following the passing of a new law banning the social media app on Federal devices in December. Texas Governor Greg Abott made the decision for his state following Virginia, Maryland, Alabama and Utah.
In a statement posted to his website Abbott said “The security risks associated with the use of TikTok on devices used
to conduct the important business of our state must not be underestimated or ignored.”
He also claimed the app was harvesting significant amounts of data from users’ phones, maintaining the ban was necessary to protect Texas’ sensitive information from threats.
The ban on downloading and use will apply to both state and personal devices with internet connectivity that are used to conduct state business including cell phones, laptops, tablets and desktops.
It also prohibits residents from conducting state business with devices that have TikTok or other ‘prohibited technology’ enabled on them and bans any device with this technology from entry and use in sensitive areas, locations or meetings. The ban must be in effect by February 15 in all state agencies. There was no indication it would affect devices, personal or otherwise, not used to conduct state business.
The ban comes amidst increased tensions between the country and the Republic of China over a spy balloon that was sent into US airspace by China and then shot down by the US.
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