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TCI Governor believes out of control gun violence needs these 8 things  

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By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

 

#TurksandCaicos, September 16, 2022 – A day after two double homicides rocked the nation key members of the National Security Council have announced that they are planning eight ‘immediate actions’ with local and international partners to stifle the upsurge in violent crimes in the TCI.

Governor Nigel Dakin made the announcement in a press conference on September 5; days after four people were gunned down in two double homicides in the fishing village of Five Cays.

Dakin said the eight actions were “to bring in strategic support to our overall enforcement posture.”

The immediate actions announced at the press conference on Monday September 5 are as follows.

  1. A firm swift response.  The Governor said, “Lest there be any doubt whatsoever there is only going to be one outcome to the immediate problem we face it is going to be dealt with firmly.”
  2. The Tactical Unit will make arrests based on a list of individuals responsible for the ‘mayhem’ in the Five Cays over the weekend.  The governor cautioned suspects, warning them to cooperate with the police rather than resist.  He especially warned them not to try using force, as in order to protect themselves and other law abiding citizens police officers were authorized to respond with lethal force.
  3. More police presence in Five Cays.
  4. Immediate aerial support via a helicopter team from the Cayman Islands to augment the police force.
  5. A UK backed unit focused on Gun, Gangs and Drugs Unit’.  Dakin maintained that this unit was progressing quickly Anna already had confirmation from the UK.  It will be bolstered by foreign officers with expertise but would be led by locals. That specialist expertise includes: Leadership, Investigative, Technical, Intelligence and Analytical Skill.  Those skills He said would be passed on to the local officers over time.
  6. A new surveillance aircraft from the United Kingdom
  7. New legislation allowing the government interception and tracking of gangs
  8. Assistance from the United Kingdom in closing cases.

Dakin also had a stern warning for criminals and an impassioned one for the loved ones who are witnesses to the criminal acts of their sons and brothers.

“Those who are intimidating a whole community are small in number; they can think no further than their ego, reputation or their wallet. While they seemingly live in the moment—- all that will eventually happen and faster than many can imagine is that they will die at the hands of a rival or be imprisoned. It is not a question of if but when one of these two outcomes occur.” He said.

When the police eventually came he had some advice for the individuals ‘responsible for the mayhem.’

He stressed that the police would be coming for them one way or another and in order to avoid the worst possible outcome they should do this, “If this is you I strongly suggest that when the tactical unit confronts you you immediately lay down with your arms outstretched. Showing beyond any doubt that you are not armed, if a police officer fears for his or another’s life the rules of engagement are very clear and unfortunately very final.”

Despite the warning, to date no arrests have been made in regards to the killings even after several forays into the area and exchanges of gunfire with criminals.

To the families of gunmen Dakin said, “If someone you love risks being on the fringes of this activity, say something very clearly to them, which is ‘If you continue on this road you’re going to be drawn into a world where you either die or go to prison’.

He cautioned them to do the right thing to save the lives of their sons before it was too late.

Bahamas News

CARICOM Sec Gen speaks on Gender Based Violence

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Rashaed Esson

 

Staff Writer 

 

“Everyone must continue to invest in preventing violence against our women and girls (VAWG). It is an investment in our shared future,” were the words of Dr. Carla N. Barnett, CARICOM Secretary-General, as she reiterated the need for solutions against VAWG.

 

She called attention to VAWG as she gave a speech surrounding the annual campaign “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence,” which runs from November 25 to December 10, 2023.

 

Barnett expresses the well-known fact that VAWG is one of the most prevalent issues affecting all corners of society.

 

“VAWG remains one of the most pervasive forms of human rights violations in the world and cuts across all races, cultures, genders, and educational backgrounds,” she maintained, as she continued to point out the sad reality that this is still a major issue despite regional and global policies.

 

“Despite the existence of regional and global policies and legislation to combat VAWG, weak enforcement and discriminatory practices remain significant barriers to ending VAWG.”

 

The Secretary-General highlighted statistics for VAWG, bringing attention to how serious and embedded this issue is in society.

 

She said that globally, 736 million women—nearly one in three—have experienced violence—physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or even both.

 

For the Caribbean region, she said surveys conducted between 2016 and 2019 inform us that one in two women experience intimate partner violence, which is higher than the global average. 

 

In continuation, Barnett expressed that the campaign calls everyone to action against VAWG, including “development partners, civil society organizations, women’s organizations, youth, the private sector, and the media.”  Also, world governments are being asked to share how they are investing in gender-based violence prevention.

 

Ending her address, the Secretary-General urged everyone to wear the color orange for the duration of the campaign, as well as on the 25th of each month, “as a symbol of hope for a brighter future where women and girls live free from violence.”

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Crime

Police Reveal Identities on Double Homicide Victims

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#TurksandCaicos, November 25, 2023 – Shot male victims identified The two male victims shot dead on Friday, 17th November 2023, have been identified as 26- year-old Jean Mryola and 45-year-old Salomon Innocent Nevilia of Five Cays, Providenciales.

Based on preliminary information, a call was placed to the Police Control Room around 6:31 a.m., reporting the discovery of two bodies on a track located off Five Cays Road in the Five Cays community.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force Serious Crime Unit officers are continuing investigations into this senseless crime.

The public is being asked to contact 911, the closest police station, the RTCIPF Serious Crime Unit at 232-8752, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 and give any information on this murder or any other illegal activity anonymously.

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Caribbean News

Maternity care and orphanages in Haiti shutting down with another Bloody Day on November 13

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

 

Haiti, November 24, 2023 – Some Haitian women, mothers specifically and soon to be mothers are left somewhat if not entirely without access to the special care they need, as maternity care is being severely impacted by the growing lack of safety from gang activity.

On November 15th, 2023, discord which led to clashes, resulted in the unwilling, indefinite closure of the Fontaine hospital, a private facility that provides important maternity care service to women.

This was not the first instance unfortunately as a few weeks prior, in late October, another maternity center called Saint Damiens had to halt treatment as well; closing its doors because of insecurity.

Some medical centers are still operating in other parts of Haiti as the staff of the shut facilities were transferred; they are relocated to Port-au- Prince, according to a November 20th report by OCHA, for Latin America and the Caribbean, which was giving its weekly update on the crisis in Haiti

This comes following a disturbing resurgence in violence on November 13; it saw rival armed groups in a deadly clash causing displacement and injuries in areas like Citè Soleil, “a commune in the capital, Port au Prince,” the report informed.

The record reflects that 1000 people were forced out of their home and 166 were killed.

Now, with so many displaced, this not only decreases the people in the area as some would naturally flee, but also the number of nurses being relocated and for good reason. What this does is reduce the access to medical care in the affected areas, Cité Soleil.

With other medical institutions closing by force, the number of facilities is clearly reducing.

In fact, in Cité Soleil, there is only one medical center left open.

Among the recent evacuees, 58 children, said the report.

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