News
How can the Police in TCI regain Citizen’s Trust and Confidence to help impact crime?
Published
3 years agoon

#TurksandCaicos, May 14, 2022 – The question many concerned citizens in TCI are grappling with is, can our law enforcement department effectively combat crime while building trust within the communities it aims to serve and protect?
It begins with finding creative ways to help communities and law enforcement agencies strengthen trust and collaboration, while continuing to reduce crime.
In a small developing nation like TCI with such close-knit communities, gaining the confidence of citizens is of paramount.
What could be a setback is, any community already dealing with uncontrollable and an unsolved spike in serious crimes, citizens will be more reluctant to trust the police or report their suspicions.
Just for a moment, let’s forget about the optics and actually look at the reality to determine why there is such a disconnect.
In the public’s eye, a common sentiment shared by many revolves around the process of how law enforcement respond not only to serious crimes but petty crimes and their ability to solve them.
A good citizen has a moral duty to report crimes committed against persons or property. Likewise, there needs to be sense of security and anonymity when reporting their concerns.
I’m inclined to believe our dedicated police officers are only doing what they are trained to do. Nevertheless, if the public perception differs, maybe it’s time for the leaders to reassess the level of training that’s being provided.
There are several ways to rebuild citizens’ trust. For example; responding to citizens’ reports in a more expedient manner, showing more empathy, being transparent with investigations and providing follow up information on potential suspects.
In my opinion, some of these areas that do not meet the expectation of the public and are lacking in some respect.
Being proactive with policing tactics is also in question.
Case in point, have there ever been any surveys conducted to determine how citizens view police, their confidence in policing tactics, how much they support them, trust them, and so on?
If the police expect the public to engage in crime reduction, citizens must feel confident that regardless of the level of crime it will be taken seriously. Lack of the aforementioned could result in decreases in public trust of police.
Culture within a police department also plays a pivotal role, because building trust should be embedded in the culture of policing.
The head of an agency certainly sets the tone, but it’s also necessary for the immediate supervisors of the officers on the ground to have an incentive to appropriately carry out their duties. That’s where some of the hardest work is done.
Grand Turk in particular, appears to be a training ground for new police recruits. Unfortunately, it comes with pros and cons. If it result in a high turnover rate, this could have an adverse impact on how officers interact with the communities.
I’m afraid, if our communities continue to have a sense of distrust in policing, our young men and women might be reluctant to explore policing as a career opportunity. This will leave the county with no other alternative but to recruit foreign police officers. There should also be zero tolerance for rogue officers. The objective is to impose rules and punishment high enough to shift a rogue officers’
cost-benefit analysis.
Sadly, like any other civilized country, there will always be a certain level of crime, but I’m afraid this current trend
draws an uncanny parallel to pre-pandemic crimes.
When it comes to curbing serious crimes, we can’t continue to move the goal post and become desensitized with this level of violence. This year, it may be 20 homicides next year it will be 40. Where do we draw the line and say enough is enough?
The public’s perception of how police matters are handled should not be taken lightly. Unless citizens feel like their voices are being heard, they will continue to stay in their own lane.
At some stage in the game, whether it’s perception or reality, our leaders will need to be held accountable.
From a holistic approach, here are some thoughts to ponder.
Improve communication by exposing to the general public the identity of all suspect upon formal arraignment.
As concerned citizens, we also have to get to a point where there is less focus on social media propaganda, and more on our own voices and ideas.
It’s also important that law enforcement control the narrative and debunk the spread of misinformation. Failure to do so only creates fear and distrust among the masses.
With that being said, citizens shouldn’t have to be researchers to find crime data. Henceforth, To counter sensationalism and the spread of misinformation, there should be timely information delivered to the public in addition to public access to crime statistics.
The political rhetoric with Tough-on-crime policies is only part of the solution. This is evident based on the increased violence the country is currently experiencing despite the harsher sentences.
Some may herald it as the best response to violent crimes, but I beg to differ. It will only serve to criminalize some of the same people who continues to deal with the most loss of life and trauma in their communities.
Withstanding the current climate on crime, when was the last time a police representative reached out to a victim or loved ones from various communities where gun violence happened and try to elevate their voices and experiences? This is all part of addressing any existing gaps in public relations.
The old cliche, “talk is cheap”, is playing out right in front of our eyes on social media platforms.
We should be asking ourselves what am I doing, what are you doing to assist your communities in reducing crime? It’s a shared responsibility.
The police acting alone cannot achieve success, as crime is everyone business. Therefore, until some of these steps becomes reality, only then will we began to see a shift in the public perception with a trickle down impact on resolution of crime.
Ed Forbes,
Concerned citizen of Grand Turk
You may like
-
“Beyond The Rubble: What TCI’s Crackdown on Illegal Homes Means for the Future”
-
Who will Dare To Step Forward to Restore Political Balance in the Turks and Caicos Islands?
-
TCI Needs a National Fingerprint Database-Now More Then Ever:
-
Does the Turks and Caicos Islands Have the Mental Toughness to Go Independent?
-
Is Succession Planning in the Turks and Caicos Islands a Tangible Strategy or Mere Illusion?
-
Crime Stoppers TCI: A critical Catalyst for Crime Reduction
News
Beaches Turks and Caicos Showcases and Supports Local Creativity
Published
3 weeks agoon
September 12, 2025
September 12, 2025
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands – The Turks and Caicos Islands are home to a wealth of creativity, from artisans and craft vendors to musicians and performers. Beaches Turks and Caicos, the Caribbean’s leading all-inclusive family resort, has pledged its continued support for these individuals by providing meaningful platforms for them to share their skills and stories with guests from around the world.
The resort’s commitment is most evident in its weekly Cultural Night showcase, where visitors are immersed in the vibrant traditions of the islands. Guests enjoy live performances which feature local music genres such as ripsaw, while artisans display and sell handmade creations. This event not only enriches the guest experience but also strengthens economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
Entertainment Division Manager Garett Bailey emphasized the significance of Cultural Night, “we want to showcase everything the Turks and Caicos Islands culture has to offer. Our goal is for guests to leave with a deeper appreciation of the island’s art, music and traditions, while giving local talent the opportunity to share their creativity with visitors from across the globe.”
Beyond Cultural Night, Beaches Turks and Caicos also welcomes local craft vendors onto the resort every Wednesday and Friday where they are offered a direct space to market their goods. Guests have easy access to the Turks and Caicos Cultural Marketplace, where they can purchase authentic local arts and crafts.
Managing Director, James McAnally, highlighted how these initiatives reflect the resort’s broader mission, “we are committed to celebrating and sharing the vibrant culture of these islands with our guests. By showcasing local artistry and music, we not only provide entertainment but also help sustain and grow the creative industries of the Turks and Caicos Islands. From our cultural showcases to nightly live music, we are proud to create authentic connections between our guests and the people of these islands.”
Local musician Keon Hall, who frequently performs at the resort, expressed gratitude for the ongoing partnership, “being able to share my music with Beaches’ guests has created lasting relationships. Some visitors return year after year and request songs from previous performances. This partnership continues to celebrate what we do and strengthens the bond between local artists and the resort.”
The resort’s support of local artisans and entertainers extends beyond business opportunity; it is about preserving heritage and sharing stories. Guests take home more than souvenirs; they leave with experiences that deepen their understanding of Turks and Caicos’ culture and history.
Public Relations Manager, Orville Morgan, noted the importance of this commitment, “for many visitors, these interactions represent their first genuine connection to the Turks and Caicos Islands. From artisans and musicians to farmers and transport operators, our local talent helps shape every guest experience. At Beaches, we are proud to give them the stage to share their stories and their heritage.”
Beaches Turks & Caicos remains dedicated to developing cultural connections and supporting the artisans, musicians and entrepreneurs whose creativity makes the Turks and Caicos Islands unique. Each guest experience is an opportunity to celebrate and sustain the spirit of the islands.
Caribbean News
“Barbecue” is Cooked! US Turns Over 11 Million Haitians into Potential Informants with $5 Million Bounty
Published
2 months agoon
August 12, 2025
August 12, 2025
The United States just set fire to the underworld in Haiti — and this time, the smoke might finally flush out the man many call the most feared in the Caribbean.
On Tuesday, the U.S. government slapped a $5 million bounty on the head of Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, the ex-police officer turned gang boss accused of orchestrating massacres, torching neighborhoods, and strangling Haiti’s capital into chaos. This isn’t just a headline — it’s a full-blown game-changer.
That kind of cash — offered under the State Department’s Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program — is enough to turn the country’s entire population, more than 11 million people, into potential informants overnight. Add the millions in the Haitian diaspora, and Chérizier isn’t just wanted. He’s surrounded.
The Number That Changes Everything
Five million U.S. dollars today equals about 655 million Haitian Gourdes. In a country where many scrape by on less than $5 a day, that’s not just life-changing — it’s life-defining. It’s enough to rebuild homes, put generations through school, or buy a one-way ticket far from the gunfire.
In a place where trust is scarce and survival is everything, that figure is more than tempting — it’s irresistible. For Chérizier, it means every friend could be a future informant, and every loyalist might be calculating the cost of staying loyal.
‘We Will Find Them’ — Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney
Jeanine “Judge Jeanine” Pirro, the U.S. Attorney, set the tone with fire in her voice. “This indictment is the first of its kind,” she announced. “Jimmy Chérizier, also known as ‘Barbecue,’ is a notorious gang leader from Haiti who has orchestrated and committed various acts of violence against Haitians, including the 2018 La Saline attack in which approximately 71 people were killed. He both planned and participated in that massacre.
“Anyone who is giving money to ‘Barbecue’ cannot say, ‘I didn’t know.’ They will be prosecuted, and we will find them. They are supporting an individual who is committing human rights abuses, and we will not look the other way.”
Pirro wasn’t just going after Chérizier. She was sending a warning to the Haitian diaspora accused of feeding his war chest from abroad: the days of claiming ignorance are over.
‘No Safe Haven’ — Darren Cox, FBI
Then came Darren Cox, Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI, delivering the muscle of America’s most powerful investigative force. “There is no safe haven for Chérizier and his network,” Cox declared. “We are closing every link, every cell.” Since January, he said, the FBI has arrested three Top Ten fugitives, taken more than 19,000 criminals off the streets, and seized thousands of tons of narcotics — enough to save millions of lives across the U.S.
The FBI’s Miami and Houston offices have already bagged one of Chérizier’s Viv Ansanm associates inside the United States without firing a shot. “These efforts are a deliberate and coordinated plan,” Cox said, “to protect our communities and confront escalating threats from terrorist organizations like Viv Ansanm.”
‘Three-Year Investigation’ — Ivan Arvelo, HSI
Ivan Arvelo, Assistant Director of Homeland Security Investigations, brought the receipts. “This is the result of a three-year investigation into Chérizier’s procurement networks, cash pipelines, and operational financing that violates sanctions,” he explained. Arvelo described 400 structures destroyed, entire communities erased, and a gang exploiting U.S. dollars, technology, and immigration loopholes to keep its killing machine running. “We tracked how Americans unwittingly bankrolled brutality,” he said — proof that the net is tightening both inside Haiti and abroad.
‘The Worst of the Worst’ — Chris Lambert, State Department
Chris Lambert, representing the State Department’s International Affairs division, gave the political bottom line.
“Mass violence in Haiti must end,” Lambert said. “The instability resulting from Chérizier’s actions fuels illegal migration, regional instability, and transnational crime. We will continue to apply every tool available — including our rewards programs — to stop the spread of unchecked violence, especially to target the worst of the worst criminal leaders threatening the people of our hemisphere.”
Lambert confirmed what many have long known: Chérizier is not just a gang leader. He commands Viv Ansanm, officially designated in May as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. In the eyes of the U.S., that makes him not just Haiti’s problem — but everyone’s.
Why Haitians May Not Resist
In Haiti, money talks — loudly. And when you put 655 million Gourdes on the table, it shouts.
That’s the kind of figure that turns casual acquaintances into informants and makes even the most hardened loyalist wonder if the payout is worth more than the risk. It’s not a matter of “if” word gets out, it’s a matter of “who will be first to collect.”
For grieving families, it’s a chance at justice. For the desperate, it’s a chance at survival. For Haiti as a whole, it’s hope — wrapped in the most dangerous of temptations.
An Answer to Prayers
For years, Haiti’s headlines have been a scroll of horrors — kidnappings, executions, burned neighborhoods, bodies in the streets. Chérizier’s name has been attached to too many of them.
This move by the U.S. isn’t just strategy. It’s personal. It’s a signal to every Haitian — at home or abroad — that the days of impunity could be ending.
I’ll admit it: when I heard the news, I danced, I sang, and I nearly cried. Not because $5 million is a lot of money, but because of what it means — the possibility, at last, of stopping the man accused of helping turn Haiti into hell on earth.
Four officials, four angles, one mission: Pirro’s fire, Cox’s grit, Arvelo’s precision, Lambert’s conviction. Together, they’ve put the heat on “Barbecue” like never before.
BBQ is cooked. The only question now is: which one of over 11 million potential informants will serve him up?
Africa
What If Caribbean Dollars Flowed to Africa? A Trade Revolution Within Reach
Published
2 months agoon
August 8, 2025
By Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
What would happen if the Caribbean started spending more with Africa?
That question is no longer hypothetical. It’s the vision behind a growing movement that sees the Caribbean not just as a neighbor of the Americas, but as a key partner in the rise of a “Global Africa.” With shared history, deep cultural ties, and emerging trade frameworks, experts say the potential is enormous—if the will to act finally matches the passion of the speeches.
Billions on the Table
Today, trade between Africa and the Caribbean sits at just over US $729 million annually. But the International Trade Centre (ITC) and Afreximbank project that number could balloon to US $1.8 billion per year by 2028—more than doubling in just a few years.
This boost is expected to come not just from commodities, but increasingly from services, particularly in transport, travel, food exports, and creative industries. Two-thirds of that growth, according to analysts, could come from services alone—sectors where the Caribbean is eager to expand. (afreximbank.com).
Meanwhile, Africa’s consumer and business spending is forecasted to skyrocket to US $6.66 trillion by 2030, driven by a population boom and rising middle class.
The Case for a New Trade Axis
The Caribbean imports 80% of its food, but many of those goods can be sourced from African markets. What we offer in return? World-class logistics, tourism know-how, financial services, and proximity to the U.S. market. It’s a natural fit—one that is currently underdeveloped.
The recent call by Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell for a “Global Africa Commission” underscores this urgency. He urged stakeholders at the Afreximbank Trade Expo to stop the cycle of empty talk and get to work: building shipping routes, finalizing trade agreements, and boosting knowledge of what each region actually has to offer.
“We will not leave here with another communiqué,” Mitchell continued. “We will leave here with a commitment to act, to build together, to trade together, to succeed together and rise together.” The statement underscored a central theme of the summit — that both Africa and the Caribbean can no longer afford to admire the idea of unity; they must operationalize it.Pilot platforms like the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) are already simplifying how cross-border payments work between African countries—and could extend to Caribbean partners. The system removes the need for U.S. dollars in trade between African nations, creating space for sovereign empowerment.
What’s the Hold-Up?
Let’s be blunt: political will, slow bureaucracies, and lack of coordination are stalling real action. Despite a decade of “Africa–Caribbean unity” talk, less than 3% of CARICOM trade currently involves the African continent. That fact continues to undermine these brave speeches and ambitious notions.
Where Caribbean Consumers Fit In
Caribbean consumers—especially the younger, tech-savvy generation—are already looking for affordable, ethical, and culturally relevant goods. African markets offer exactly that. Redirecting even a fraction of spending toward African-made clothing, beauty products, tech tools, or agro-processed foods could start a real trade revolution.
Bottom Line
If the political leaders won’t build the bridge fast enough, maybe Caribbean consumers will. The money is there. The interest is rising. Now it’s time to turn the “Global Africa” vision into a real economic shift—one shopping cart at a time.