Connect with us

Uncategorized

Women Raped, TCI Police mum on the Blue Hills crime trend   

Published

on

By Dana Malcolm  

Staff Writer  

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, March 23, 2023 – Police say men have broken into women’s homes, and not just robbed but raped them in multiple instances dating back weeks.  But residents are only now learning about the alarming issue after a man was brought into custody.  

In a press release on March 20th, we learned that criminals have been carrying out these assaults in Blue Hills in the early morning over the last few weeks.  

How many have fallen victim is left to the imagination as Police only say a ‘small number’ of incidents have occurred. Also, why the public was not put on alert after the first incident so they could protect themselves better, is perplexing at best. 

Dean Holden, Head of Crime, Safeguarding and Public Protection Superintendent, said they aren’t yet sure if the arrested man is one of the culprits: “Investigators remain open minded about this individual’s full involvement,” and is advising residents to remain vigilant. 

We have questioned the police on whether these incidents occurred all in one morning or if they were spread out. The Police increased uniformed patrols they say: “to provide reassurance and a visible deterrent.” but the question lingers.  Why not inform residents? 

Magnetic Media had lodged questions related to reports reaching our newsroom; we were told there would be no comment on the matters.

We spoke to Wilburt Jennings, an experienced security professional at Presidential Security Firm and President of the Turks and Caicos Islands Christian Council, who offered some low-cost security solutions for small families, women especially, since they were the targets of this latest crime spree. 

“Be extremely vigilant, especially single women,” He cautioned.  “The most inexpensive thing that you can possibly do is put more light around your home.  Usually when persons are involved in illegal or lowdown activity they like to hide in the shadows,” he added. 

You might also want to turn on the lights before you even leave home if they’re not motion activated, if you know you might be returning after dark, he said. 

“If you are able, sometimes a camera system is a strong deterrent, and you can find inexpensive camera systems.” 

The Royal TCI Police has now also listed ways residents can be vigilant. They say: 

  • Be sure to lock your doors, even if you are at home or if you leave for a few minutes to walk the dog, put out garbage or hang out the laundry. 
  • NEVER open the doors automatically for anyone. 
  • Insist that the caller identify him or herself. If a stranger asks to use your phone, DON’T permit them to enter. 
  • Offer to summon emergency assistance or make the call for the person. 
  • Inside and outside lights give you good protection. Leave lights on at night, even when you are away. 
  • Change the direction of inside lighting from time to time. 
  • Leave lights on over the doors you will be using when returning home after dark. 
  • If a door or window has been forced or broken while you have been absent, DO NOT ENTER OR CALL OUT. 
  • Use a neighbour’s phone IMMEDIATELY to call the Police and wait outside until they arrive. 

The key, Jennings explained, is to not let the perpetrator get to you at all; prevention is always best.  He reminded that burglars with nefarious intent, especially if they are armed, are unpredictable and once they have gained the upper hand it is nearly impossible to say what they will do or how far they will go. 

Uncategorized

RTCIPF Observes World Down Syndrome Day

Published

on

On March 21st, 2024, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force joined the international, regional and local communities in observing World Down Syndrome Day. 

Officers showed their support by wearing brightly coloured and mismatched socks to raise awareness. 

The head of the Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit, Assistant Superintendent of Police Grantley Williams, Training Manager Mrs Odessa Forbes and Media Relations Officer Denyse Renne visited the SNAP Centre and interacted with the students.

In a message to the TCI community, the RTCIPF noted that stereotypes perpetuate stigma and hinder inclusion, preventing individuals from reaching their full potential. 

Instead, the RTCIPF calls for individuals to foster an environment of acceptance and support where everyone is valued for who they are. 

By breaking down barriers and challenging misconceptions, we can create a more inclusive society where individuals with Down Syndrome are empowered to live fulfilling lives and contribute meaningfully to their communities and, by extension, the TCI. 

As law enforcement officers, we must protect and serve all members of society, regardless of their abilities. 

Let’s work together to ensure that individuals with Down Syndrome are treated with dignity and respect and that their rights are upheld.

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

CARICOM speaks out on Climate Change, looking to May meeting to amplify call for Climate Funding

Published

on

March 3, 2024

 

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) remains on the frontlines of global climate crisis, an issue the Region has been aggressively advocating on for the past thirty years. Despite the many commitments and promises of international partners, the window of opportunity to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels is rapidly closing.

Heads of Government are concerned that while COP 28 was widely regarded as a historic event, with the completion of the first global stocktake (GST), on progress in achievement of the Paris Agreement goals, the outcomes of GST show that emissions of greenhouse gases continue to rise and the nationally determined contributions (NDCs) of Parties will not keep global temperatures below the 1.5 degree goal enshrined in the Paris Agreement.

Heads of Government also expressed concern to be heading to COP 29 where a New Finance Goal will be articulated to replace the 100bn goal, which has not yet been met, even as developing countries require trillions to deal with the escalating impacts of climate change. Developed country parties have not provided enough finance at scale, technology and capacity building support required to help developing countries tackle their pressing needs to build their resilience, especially in adapting to the adverse and increasingly catastrophic impacts of climate change. The clear absence of definitive timelines for action and quantitative commitments for scaling up of investments, and particularly adaptation finance emerging out of COP 28, cause great concern to our Region.

The Conference noted that Small Island Developing States (SIDS), recognized as the most vulnerable group of countries and a special case for sustainable development, have been facing strong push back against the recognition of their special circumstances especially in the context of climate finance. There is limited international support for special allocations for SIDS within financing arrangements and available climate finance from international and private sources is limited, expensive and too onerous to access.

In light of the preceding, Heads of Government called for CARICOM to take a strategic, unified and coordinated approach to ensure that the Region remains influential in the climate and development arena through engagements with key partners and advocacy groups.

They called for renewed focus by the Region to advocate for inclusion of forests, nature-based solutions and blue carbon into market mechanisms with the aim of articulating clear regional positions and strategies.

Heads of Government reiterated the call for improved readiness programmes, simplified approval procedures, a change to the criteria for determining access to low-cost finance, and for the adoption of programmatic approaches to address the bottlenecks in accessing finance.

The Region reiterates its support for the Bridgetown Initiative’s call to expand capital adequacy of international financial institutions.

Heads recognized that the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States, scheduled to be held in Antigua and Barbuda, 27 – 30 May 2024, will be an inflection point for many of these discussions to be articulated. As such, the Region remains committed to participating in the Conference at the highest level.

Continue Reading

TCI News

South Caicos Development Plans shared with Washington-Misick led Administration

Published

on

On Monday, 12 February 2024, the Premier led a delegation to tour the island of South Caicos to view the ongoing public and private sector projects, involving the remodelling and rebranding of the airport terminals, historical districts, and the East Bay Hotel.

The tour of the various developments reinforced the Government’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to boost the island’s activity and economy.

Photos courtesy of the TCI Office of the Premier

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING