News
Crime on the Rise: Can Psychology Help?
Introduction
Crime is an expensive aspect of society and sucks a significant amount of public funds. Consistently government spends money on courts, police, probation services, and prisons. The worst part of it is the human costs that include pain, fear, and loss of life. As it pertains to the recent scenes of violent crimes that occurred in our Beautiful by Nature, Turks & Caicos Islands, I am optimistic that authorities are doing their very best to curb brutal crimes and my mind goes thus far as to assume that the established authorities are gathering every piece of intelligence to eradicate or at the very least decrease crime in our community. One thing I pray is that criminal psychology, which is an essential piece of the puzzle not overlooked.
Public perception of crimes
When violent crimes occur in any society, the tendency is set to blame people who may perceive to be accountable. For example, governments blame law enforcement for not doing enough. In reaction, law enforcement blames the government for not providing enough resources. The church blames the parents for not playing their parental roles in the household. In turn, the parents blame the church for not shepherding the congregants, especially the young people to keep moral and spiritual standards; the school system does not spare from that chain of critics. Then, society blames the criminals and those who supply firearms and ammunition.
In reality, who is to blame?
I believe we should come to a consensus that we must better understand the criminal mindset and work on it collectively since the blame does not help too much in solving crimes. Contrary to public opinion, firearms as
dangerous as they can be, trigger the temptation to exercise a greater force that facilitates murders at a faster pace. But in reality, the mindset determines the course of action. This depicts the idea that if the firearms are taken away from the criminals when nothing is done to reprogram the mindset, criminals will use any other means to commit the intended crime. In his famous book Tao Te Ching (the way of Life), Lao Tsu stated, “Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”
Literature review
In a criminal psychology class, a professor made a statement that shocked the students, particularly an Islander man like me who at that time had mere knowledge of crimes. He quoted (Durkheim, 1895) “as arguing that crime is an inevitable and normal aspect of social life. He pointed out that crime is inevitable in all societies, and that the crime rate was in fact higher in more advanced, industrial societies.” Thus, understanding criminology theories are key to determining why people turn to crime, and it is a step toward reducing crime rates and making society safer.
Takeaways from the Premier’s press conference
The minister of Education divulged the findings from the unfortunate incident of violent crime in Five Cays. She believes this phenomenon emanates from the social ill, including children raised in dysfunctional homes or uncaring families. Suppose the reliability and validity of data are proven. In that case, there are significant reasons to believe that we are not facing just a scene of random crimes, but a societal problem that needs to be addressed at the highest cleverness level. I believe psychologists, sociologists, and other critical thinkers have some answers.
After decades of research on criminal minds, irrefutable evidence suggests three major psychological theories that speak to this phenomenon: psychodynamic, behavioral, and cognitive. The psychodynamic theory focuses on a person’s early childhood experience and how it influences the likelihood of committing crimes. The behavioral approach emphasizes how the perception of the world influences behavior. And cognitive theory focuses on how people manifest their perceptions can lead to a life of crime.
In conclusion, while these psychological terms and theories will be developed in the next episode, let us all admit that crime is a deterrent to the socio-economic development of our community, and the “fierce urgency of now” is to uplift conversations about crime from the traditional level to the highest standard of collective and individual intelligence and knowledge. We are all concerned and must engage in the fight with clever approaches.
Alces Dor
Psychologist
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The
development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.
Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.
Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.
Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.
Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.
The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.
Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of
IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”
He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”
Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion
Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.
#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have
charged a man who allegedly stole a vehicle.
The accused, DANVANTE BRISCO, 30, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was charged with:
- One Count: Robbery
- One Count: Taking Motor Vehicle Without Authority
- One Count: Using Offensive Weapon to cause fear
Mr. BRISCO appeared in court today (May 13 ) and was granted bail of $7500.00 with one surety.
The matter was adjourned to July 05 for a Sufficiency Hearing.
#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male appeared in court today (May 13th) charged with a series of firearm-related offences.
The accused, JAMES SIMON, was denied bail and remanded into custody pending a Sufficiency Hearing scheduled for July 05th, 2024.
Mr. SIMON faces the following charges:
- One Count: Robbery;
- One Count: Gang Membership
- One Count: Possession of a Firearm for the Benefit of a Gang
- One Count: Possession of Ammunition for the Benefit of a Gang.
The charges against Mr. Simon followed investigations by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force into a robbery at the parking lot of a Casino where three males robbed a victim.
Additionally, Mr. Simon is charged with the following offences, having been arrested on May 02nd, 2024, along South Dock Road.
- One Count: Possession of a Firearm
- One Count: Possession of Ammunition
- One Count: Unlawful Entry
Officers also charged a teenage minor who was in the company of Mr. Simon on May 02nd with One Count of UNLAWFUL ENTRY.
The accused, seventeen and from Kew Town, Providenciales, pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on May 20th.
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