Door Buster Lines for Stimulus Cheques in Provo

By Deandrea Hamilton & Dana Malcolm

Editorial Staff

#TurksandCaicos, August 20, 2022 – The need for the $1,000 stimulus government began issuing on August 10 was unmistakable, when on day one of distribution residents formed door-buster lines in the hopes of walking away with cheques in hand.

Hundreds turned out, all claiming to be with first names starting with A, B and C.

The Treasury department had hoped that segmenting distribution days and assurances to the public that cheques would be held at the office for six months would minimize the pressures seen in previous stimulus payouts; they were wrong.

Hundreds of people continue to queue up in Providenciales, some from as early as 5 a.m. in order to get an early spot on the long lines.  Many said it was meaningless when others completely ignored the rules, defied the authorities and used connections or force to access the office and get in ahead of those who had long been waiting.

Despite the reports of frustration, there remains no change in the manner of distribution.

In fact, calling the gathering at the Treasury in Providenciales on Monday a line is generous as the situation was more of a bundle, even a huddle.

In videos shared with Magnetic Media early Monday viewers can observe the door to the treasury is completely blocked by bodies all determined to get inside to get the cheques promised in the Price Inflation Stimulus.

There is no semblance of order. People rush in from all directions, there was no social distancing and very few masks. The masks that we could see were often pulled below the wearer’s mouth and nose, likely as relief from the sweltering heat.

The two police officers that we could see were swamped by the crowd and despite efforts to direct the residents into a more orderly fashion, the crush of cheque collectors remained steadfast and continued to overwhelm authorities.

The situation may well have been exacerbated by the fact that the government announced a collection date for  last week Saturday and did not turn up. It was changed, without notice to the general public on Friday afternoon.  Many wanted to use their day off to pick up, as hundreds expressed they could ill afford to be on the weekday lines for hours due to work.

That major hiccup on Saturday August 13, may have resulted in confusion about who should have been at the Treasury on which day. Even without that slip up, lines at the office in Providenciales have been harrowing since distribution started on Wednesday August 10.

The difficulties with the stimulus collection line is something the government knew would be messy. It had been announced lines to pick up the free cash, this time set at $1K USD, would be abandoned for a more seamless process.

That process was not introduced.