News
Residents want resignation; Police Commissioner calls for patience
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, April 22, 2022 – After waves of angry messages, posts and the revival of a petition calling for the resignation of the Royal TCI Police Commissioner Trevor Botting, he was asked the question about letting go of the post, to allow someone else to step in.
“I get why they want me to go but if they think that will fix it I think they’re misguided. But I understand, everyone is entitled to their view. I am in public office and that’s absolutely fine,” said Mr. Botting as guest Tuesday on Financially Speaking, which is aired on Radio Turks and Caicos and hosted by Drexwell Seymour.
The Commissioner acknowledged the public’s concern and noted that their concerns were also police concerns.
Saying, “I am asking for a couple of things; patience while we build the capability. The force is building a very strong capability that is going to go way beyond my time here and we’ve got a very strong leadership developing.”
He noted that they have been very well supported by the Public despite everything, acknowledging the issues with 911 he said, “I know there’s been well documented issues… When someone called in and they didn’t get the best service but don’t let that deter you. Tell us what you know and we will do our absolute most to develop that.”
About 24 hours later, the Commissioner engineered his own independent statement to the nation. In the ‘vlog’ he provided an update on the recent crime spree.
Between April 8 through 16, Police recovered six illegal firearms, drugs and ammunition.
- Gun and Drug Crimes
One of the guns was found on Saturday, April 9 in downtown Provo after reports of shooting.
On the 11th a woman was arrested on suspicion of keeping firearms and ammunition. One gun was recovered in that operation along with jewelry and cash.
On the same day, Canadian citizen David Lit was charged after entering and being found with a quantity of marijuana at the PLS airport. Lit had briefly escaped custody but surrendered, accompanied by an attorney.
On the 15th after robbery reports were made a vehicle was intercepted along Leeward Highway and another gun and ammunition was found.
- Two men were arrested in that incident.
And on April 16th, a 45-year-old was arrested after he attempted to leave the country with cocaine and marijuana as well as an illegal firearm.
The crime wave has come crashing down on the Turks and Caicos Islands in its busiest hour; tourism has never been better and guests were not exempt in the brazen armed robberies and assaults.
On Tuesday at least one person was arrested in Long Bay and blue Hills; search warrants were executed for those same areas on Wednesday said Botting.
In all matters, information was not lavishly doled out. Just splashes of insight which for TCI is more frustrating than helpful.
- Arson
Along with the violence confrontational crime erupting in Providenciales, the trend of arson has struck again this time not only in Grand Turk.
Police are investigating that fire on Bambarra Beach which resulted in as many as four tiki beach huts being destroyed and a boat was set on fire later.
In Grand Turk, prison officers are being targeted. So far said the Commissioner, there have been reports of three cars torched on purpose.
“Attacks on law enforcement and colleagues from the prison will simply not be tolerated. Someone on Grand Turk knows who set these fires and if that is you, and you don’t come forward, you are part of the problem. Now is not the time to be passive, name the criminals, don’t let them hide amongst you,” Botting said.
By now, residents are exhausted at the promises which amount to being unfruitful. The legacy is the same, outflow of information is kept at a slow and low pace, which public distrust and trial losses and non-convictions soar.
The petition, which resurfaced on the Easter holiday weekend, has 103 who have signed agreement for the Trevor Botting, who climbed the ranks from Deputy Police Commissioner to be replaced as the Police Commissioner with someone from the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Caribbean News
USA Caribbean Investment Forum: Partnering for Sustained Development in the Caribbean 2023 Event Recap
The USA Caribbean Investment Forum took place over two days last week at the New York Marriott Marquis Times Square. The event, hosted by the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA) in partnership with representatives of the CARICOM Consular Corps (namely, the Consulates General of Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Antigua & Barbuda), brought together government officials, investment promotion agencies, entrepreneurs, and business leaders from the Caribbean diaspora to connect, engage in thoughtful discussions, and explore investment opportunities throughout the Caribbean.
Fostering International Collaboration
The event featured distinguished speakers and representatives from both the US and Caribbean governments. 
Consuls General Mr. Mackie Holder (Barbados), Mr. Jerome Andre Laveau (Trinidad & Tobago), and Mr. Rondy McIntosh (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) along with Jeanette Moy, Commissioner of the NYS Office of General Services, Edward Mermelstein, NYC Commissioner of International Affairs, and Molly Bauer, Industry Development Associate from the NY Governor’s Office, shed light on the initiatives that New York City, which is home to so many Caribbean Diaspora, is implementing to support economic collaboration between the regions.
Engaging with Global Leaders
Hon. Kenneth Bryan, Minister for Tourism & Ports, Cayman Islands, and Chair of Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and Hon. E. Jay Saunders, Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance, Trade and Investment, Turks and Caicos Islands delivered insights via keynote speeches and held candid discussions during panel and Q&A sessions. The event served as a unique opportunity to communicate in an open and honest forum with two esteemed leaders from the Caribbean about investing in the region.
Promoting Investment Opportunities
CAIPA welcomed representatives from Invest Barbados, Invest Dominica, Grenada Investment Development
Corporation (GIDC), InvesTT (Trinidad and Tobago), Invest Turks and Caicos, St. Kitts Investment Promotion Agency (SKIPA), Invest St. Lucia, Invest St. Vincent & the Grenadines, the Bahamas Investment Authority, the Curacao Investment and Export Promotion Agency (CINEX), and the Sint Maarten Ministry of Tourism, Economy, Transport and Telecommunications, to discuss various opportunities for investment in their respective countries and how their agencies support and facilitate potential investors.
Hearing Private Sector Success Stories
Private sector companies including the St. James School of Medicine, Century21 Guyana, Ethniv, and Homestrings joined the forum to discuss their current active projects in the Caribbean. They detailed how they’ve worked with local governments and institutions to successfully launch and operate their businesses in the Caribbean, along with the potential opportunities for continued growth.
Understanding How Caribbean Financial Institutions Facilitate Investment
The Forum brought together key representatives from Caribbean financial and economic development institutions:
IDB Lab (Ms. Magdalena Coronel, Chief Investment Officer), the National Commercial Bank Jamaica LTD (Mr. Jeffrey Brown, Head, Loans Structuring and Syndications), USAID (Mr. Mervyn Farroe, USAID representative for the Eastern and Southern Caribbean), and the Caribbean Development Bank (Ms. Lisa Harding, Private Sector Development Specialist) to detail how these organizations facilitate and support private investment in the Caribbean.
Forging Connections
Attendees had the opportunity to meet directly with CAIPA member countries during business meetings. These one-on-one conversations were valuable opportunities to speak directly with key stakeholders in order to advance
projects and forge direct relationships.
The inaugural USA Caribbean Investment Forum was a great success due to the collaboration and engagement from individuals representing a wide range of sectors, organizations, and countries – all united under the goal of driving economic growth in the Caribbean and taking advantage of the enormous opportunities available in the region. CAIPA and the representatives of the CARICOM Consular Corps are proud to have facilitated these conversations and supported deepening of relationships with key stakeholders throughout the US and the Caribbean. We look forward to our next event, which will be held on 6-8 March in Miami (Caribbean Logistics Investment Conference 2024) – focused on attracting investments into logistics and transportation by sea and air as well as e-commerce logistics and industrial logistics parks throughout the Caribbean. Stay tuned for more details!If you or anyone you know is interested in joining the CAIPA mailing list, please visit: https://www.investincaribbean.org/news-center/sign-up-for-our-newsletter to sign up for our newsletter.
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#USA, September 26, 2023 – A New York woman was arrested for murder following the death of a 1-year-old boy at her daycare centre which authorities say was also being used to store illicit drugs. Grei Mendez was charged with one of her tenants, a male, Carlisto Acevedo Brito, over the shocking incident.
One-year-old Nicholas Dominici died of a suspected fentanyl overdose after being exposed to the drug in the daycare. In an update from the NYPD via Facebook live, we learned a kilo of fentanyl had been sitting in the same place where the children napped; three other babies reportedly had to be revived with a fentanyl antidote Narcan. 
They were all two years old or younger.
Eric Adams, New York City Mayor, was enraged by the incident. He described it as ‘total madness.’
“Less than the size of a fingernail can kill an adult, so imagine what it would do to a child, you are irresponsible as an adult if you have this inside your home,” he said, “this is probably one of the worst days I’ve had walking into the Bronx– sitting down with those parents– what do you even say?”
Joe Kenny, Chief Detective on the case, revealed that around 2:41 on September 15, they responded to calls of three unconscious children at the licensed daycare centre. Emergency Medical personnel quickly recognized the symptoms and administered the antidote, saving two lives. Only two hours earlier, a mother had picked up the fourth child, who began to exhibit symptoms at home. He was administered Narcan as well.
All the children had fentanyl in their systems.
The accused are facing charges of murder, attempted murder and depraved indifference.
Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Reporter
#TurksandCaicos, September 26, 2023 – On Monday 25th September 2023 in the Providenciales Supreme Court before her Ladyship Ms. Tanya Lobban Jackson and a seven member Jury to be empaneled, there are TWO sexual assault/rape cases are listed to commence.
TRIAL 1: NICHOLL PRUDHOMME allegation date is on January 17th, 2022. The defendant is represented by Ms. Sheena Mair, who is also on bail.
The reported virtual complainant in this case is an adult in her 20’s.
TRIAL 2: DARROL FORBES allegations totaling six counts linked to alleged sexual abuse of one of his underage daughters.
The incidents, for which Forbes is being tried, range in dates from June 1st to August 31st in 2020.
Forbes is represented by Keith James and is on bail.
-
News4 days agoPolice say DNA confirmed identity of headless body
-
News4 days agoCarnival cruise port is open to others Cruise ships — Management
-
Bahamas News1 week agoEleuthera Medical Center Marks 5 Years, Private community clinic ‘grows with the demand’, adds Dental and Dermatology to slate of services
-
Bahamas News1 week agoRoyal Caribbean to open adults only private island destination
-
Bahamas News1 week agoOFFICERS ATTEND NATIONAL DAY OF BRAZIL CELEBRATION
-
Caribbean News4 days agoSmart City Project a Testament to Innovation, Progressive – Dr. Morris Dixon
-
Finance4 days agoUK holds steady on interest rates
-
News4 days agoGrand Turk drops in Rank for Cruising, Port profits down; Still Optimism High after major meeting with Carnival