News
Open letter to Governor Dakin’s speech to the HOA
Dear Governor Dakin,
A few years ago, I had the privilege of meeting you in person on a more positive note. This time, I felt compelled to address you in an open letter relative to the passionate speech you delivered during your opening address to the House of Assembly.
I would also like to commend you on your accomplishments over the years. In the short span of time in your position as head of state, you have made a significant contribution to the Turks and Caicos Islands, particularly with spearheading the establishment of the TCI Regiment which is crucial to any developing country.
However, as a concerned citizen and I do believe echoing the voices of many, I felt obliged to provide a response to a few of the comments you made. With all due respect, there are also some questions that the country needs further clarification on and answers too.
First and foremost, as you pointed out, there are too many external factors that play into the hands of this escalating crime which are entirely out of your control. 
To some degree that is correct, but I beg to differ on a few points especially when it comes to accountability. When crime is at a new dimension, it’s certainly a rite-of-passage test of any leader and their ability to make decisive decisions. At the end of the day, the buck stops with you, the Premier and those who are entrusted with our safety and security.
With that being said, criticism will come and as concerned citizens, we should not be complicit in any kind of silence and I refuse too.
Way too many precious lives are being loss to gun violence. Regardless of who they are, be it gang members or innocent civilians at the right place at the wrong time it is stoking fear across our communities.
As a people, we must not be afraid to demand change from our elected leaders, appointed Governor or Police Commissioner and rightfully so. Both you and the Commissioner have sworn to provide the highest quality of leadership and the necessary resources to protect our nation from harm and we should expect nothing short of that.
Secondly, although crime fighting is a collective effort and there is no silver bullet to its resolution, in my professional opinion, we failed to nip this in bud when we were in a better position to do so.
Sadly on many fronts, from the initial onset of this unrelenting violence, our leaders continued to be reactive rather than being proactive.
Whilst some initial progress was made to arrest serious crimes under the leadership of the Commissioner and his team, it’s not near the levels it should be based on the population of our size. I honestly believe he has given it his all and does care about the escalating crimes and the future of his department.
Nevertheless, as an avid supporter of law enforcement and will always be, I do have some reservations on how the force is currently being managed and some of the missed opportunities.
At some point, as the Governor, you will have to decide if it’s in the best interest of the country to raise the leadership bar or just keep playing defense.
The Commissioner’s performance is certainly on display, and he will have to decipher whether or not he has reached his capacity level in this particular position. It is my belief, every individual regardless of how good you are in your position has a capacity and is dispensable.
For the sake of argument, perhaps he wasn’t challenged enough or given the necessary tools he needed within a reasonable timeframe to do his job effectively.
From my observation, what I have seen over the years is too often when there is a spike in violent crimes, we put a band-aid on it. It appears, we rush to bring in more senior level police personnel from the UK to assess the situation with the hopes of finding short term solutions.
In essence, isn’t this is what we are paying the Police Commissioner to do? Its leaders who are supposed to set the stage for success. Of course, ultimately, it’s the field officers who will win the battle against these violent crimes, but they will need to be properly trained and provided the necessary tools to do their jobs.
Where is the accountability of leadership at top level? Sometimes when your boxed in, it’s hard to think outside of that box. Unfortunately, many citizens have lost confidence in the Commissioner’s ability to stabilize crime. Once this occurs, it’s harder to get cooperation between the general public and the police.
You also mentioned the successful efforts that were made to reenergize TCI’s relationship with the US and Bahamian Coast Guard. This was done to support intelligence collection on migrant vessels. It’s a good thing, but can you honestly say we have gone far enough?
It’s been over 5 years now, and the citizens of Grand Turk have yet to see a permanent marine vessel station on its shores. This is despite having wide open borders and several deserted cays where criminals can stash their illegal weapons and drugs.
Great Sand Cay which is in closer proximity to Salt Cay then Providenciales, a number of illegal vessels have been spotted either scouring our fishing banks or running aground without any knowledge of law enforcement. Thanks to
concerned citizens who have assisted with responding to the calls. It certainly underscores the need for a stronger security posture in that area.
Furthermore, to my knowledge the Port Authority in Grand Turk, still does not have a dedicated and properly trained Harbor Master. This has allowed a number of private yacht captains and crew to come ashore with God only knows what, before requesting to see Customs Agents.
Are we as a country that naive to believe illegal trafficking of any kind is only limited to speed boats from Jamaica and illegal Haitian vessels?
What’s even more troubling is the fact that these criminals are indiscriminately targeting businesses and have no regards when it comes to inflicting harm on our dedicated law enforcement officers. We have seen this with recent incidents.
With many of our law enforcement officers battling this new frontier and, in some cases, outgunned by these criminals. What plans are in place for compensation of their families God forbid an officer succumb to a permanent injury or death?
I can go on and on, but by no means is this an opportunity to bash you or the Police Commissioner. It’s just my observation and maybe it could be a wakeup call for a change of strategies with more focus on the low hanging fruits.
Sometimes, we take big and bold steps and simply overlook the small ones which could have made a big difference.
We realize for safety and security reasons, certain strategies will remain off limit to public knowledge to protect law enforcement personnel, but where is the imminent plan of action?
Where is the 10, 30, 60 days and beyond plan of action to restore order? If we fail to provide stability, it will have profound implications on our fragile tourism driven economy.
In order to provide that sense of security for residents in those affected communities, police tactics like roadblocks, lockdowns, random search and seizure etc. is of paramount.
We the people, should expect to see some serious debates in the HOA, as TCI is currently faced with some enormous challenges and big decisions to make. In the end, although the situation is precarious, I’m confident we will prevail and together shape a better future.
Sincerely,
Ed Forbes
Concerned citizen of Grand Turk
Education
Back-to-School Health Tips for Parents and Students: A Message from the Ministry of Health and Human Services Deandrea Hamilton You
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – September 2024: As the school year begins, the Ministry of Health and Services is dedicated to ensuring students stay healthy and active throughout the academic year. The return to school is an exciting time, and we are encouraging parents to help their children build healthy habits that will support their physical and mental well-being. Here are some essential general health tips to keep in mind:
- Eat a Balanced Diet: Encourage your child to consume a variety of nutrient-rich foods that support growth and energy.
- Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein in their daily meals.
- Limit sugary snacks and junk food, which can affect concentration and energy levels.
- Stay Hydrated: Hydration is crucial for mental clarity and physical performance.
- Ensure your child drinks plenty of water throughout the day, especially during school hours.
- Equip them with a reusable water bottle to make hydration easy and accessible.
- Stay Active: Physical activity promotes not just fitness, but also mental alertness.
- Encourage participation in school sports or active play during recess.
- Aim for at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day, whether through organised sports or free play
- Manage Stress: School can sometimes be stressful for students, especially as they balance academic and extracurricular activities.
- Teach your child to take regular breaks to relax and recharge.
- Encourage open conversations if they feel overwhelmed. Let them know it’s okay to ask for help.
Maintaining proper hygiene and practising illness prevention is essential for keeping students healthy, especially during the school year when they interact closely with others in classrooms and playgrounds. Here are some hygiene-related tips:
- Wash Hands Regularly: Good hand hygiene is a key defense against illness.
- Teach children to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before meals and after using the restroom
- Practice Good Hygiene: Promoting cleanliness reduces the spread of illness.
- Remind your child to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their elbow when coughing or sneezing.
- Encourage them to avoid touching their face with unwashed hands to reduce the risk of infections.
- Stay Home if You’re Sick:One of the best ways to prevent the spread of illness in schools is staying home when unwell.
- Keep your child home if they are showing signs of illness to protect classmates and teachers.
- Seek medical advice if symptoms persist or worsen.
- Get Vaccinated: Immunisations are critical for preventing diseases.
- Ensure your child is up to date with their required vaccinations.
- Consider the flu shot to protect against seasonal flu, especially before flu season begins.
The Minister of Health and Human Services, Shaun D. Malcolm remarked, “The Ministry of Health and Services is committed to supporting the health and safety of our students as they return to school. By following these simple tips, parents can help their children have a healthy, productive, and enjoyable school year”.
For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.
News
Press Release from Deputy Leader of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), Mr. Robert Been Jr.
Subject: The Neglect of Road Infrastructure in the TCI
Turks and Caicos, September 16, 2024 – The PDM along with Turks and Caicos Islanders are deeply concerned about the deplorable conditions of the highways and roads, particularly in Providenciales. As I travel across the island and listen to the concerns
of our citizens, one issue that stands out is the lack of proper maintenance and upkeep of our roadways. This is not just a matter of inconvenience, but a blatant failure by the current PNP Administration to carry out one of the most basic functions of government: ensuring our roads are safe, functional, and well-maintained.
Many of the roads are overgrown with trees and bush, creating both an eyesore and a hazard for motorists and pedestrians. The once pristine landscapes that contributed to our image as “Beautiful by Nature” are now obscured by untrimmed vegetation and deteriorating road conditions. This is in stark contrast to the beauty that we proudly showcase to the world as our biggest selling point in the tourism market.
Tourism is the lifeblood of our economy, and the condition of our roads is a reflection of how we maintain the image of our islands. When tourists drive through these overgrown, unkempt highways, what message are we sending? That we do not care about the very
product we are trying to sell? This neglect not only affects the experience of our visitors but also places undue strain on our local residents who use these roads daily.
This lack of basic road maintenance is another example of the PNP’s incompetence. If they are failing at this most basic level, how can Turks and Caicos Islanders trust them to manage the more complex and pressing affairs of our country? Road maintenance is not a luxury; it is a necessity. It is the bare minimum that the government should be providing for its citizens. When the PNP boasts about their achievements, we must ask, what good is a record-setting budget if they can’t even ensure the proper upkeep of our roadways?
The PDM understands the importance of basic government functions. A new PDM government will make it a priority to address the comprehensive repair and maintenance of the road infrastructure across the entire Turks and Caicos Islands. We will ensure that roads are not only repaired but also regularly maintained to prevent these kinds of issues from arising again. Our administration will focus on the fundamentals first, because we know that when the basics are handled well, everything else follows.
The future of our islands depends on a government that can effectively manage the day-to-day needs of its people, while also preparing for long-term development and growth. The PDM is committed to ensuring that the Turks and Caicos Islands remains beautiful, not just in name, but in reality. The people of this nation deserve better, and under a PDM government, we will make sure that you get it.
Robert Been Jr.
Deputy Leader of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM)
Turks and Caicos Islands
***MEDIA RELEASE***
Turks and Caicos, September 15, 2024 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Serious Crime Unit has identified Barnabas Norbert as the victim of yesterday evening’s homicide.
Mr. Norbert, 60, of Blue Hills, Providenciales, was killed shortly after 9 pm.
Initial police reports indicated that the Police Control Room received reports that gunshots were heard near Phase One in Blue Hills, Providenciales.
Officers, along with medical personnel, responded and, upon arrival at the given location, noticed that two males had sustained what appeared to be gunshot wounds.
Mr. Norbert was deceased, while another male, age 29, was transported to a medical facility for treatment.
The RTCIPF extends condolences to Mr. Norbert’s relatives and friends.
While at the scene of the homicide, officers received information shortly after 10 pm of an aggravated burglary in the area.
A male victim had arrived home when he was accosted by two armed men who proceeded to rob him of valuables. The armed suspects ran off and escaped.
Shortly after 2 am today (September 15), the Police Control Room received a report of a robbery at a restaurant in Kew Town.
Reports are that three males, one of whom was armed with a firearm approached employees as they were closing the establishment and robbed them of a black Honda Fit car. The vehicle was recovered in Dock Yard today.
These incidents remain under active investigation as the RTCIPF intensifies its efforts against criminal elements.
We are asking anyone with information that may help in these investigations to contact the closest police station, 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to provide any information anonymously.
Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information.
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