Crime
TCI stands with CARICOM on WAR on Guns
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, April 26, 2023 – Despite being unable to attend the CARICOM Regional Symposium on the topic of Crime and Violence, the Turks and Caicos is throwing its full support behind the Caribbean declaration of a war on guns.
Washington Missick, TCI Premier, in a statement on Friday April 21st, maintained that he has every intention of supporting his regional counterparts.
“The Government, led by Premier Hon. C. Washington Misick aligns itself with the declarations made by the other Heads of Government on the issue,” he said in the brief statement after the April 18th symposium held in Trinidad and Tobago.
Not only did the CARICOM heads declare violence a public health issue, as the region continued to be ravaged by
gun violence especially, they declared a war on guns and called directly on the United States of America to help.
“We declare a War on Guns to combat the illegal trade which provides the weapons that contribute significantly to crime and violence in our Region causing death, disabilities, and compromising the safety of our citizens. We call on the United States of America to join the Caribbean in our War on Guns and urgently adopt and take action to stop the illegal exportation of firearms and ammunition into the Caribbean.”
In the declaration document, the country leaders expressed frustration at the chunk of money they have had to spend year on year to combat crimes committed with guns, weapons which are in many cases, American made. They flow into the region, buoyed by the tidal wave of lax US gun laws and corrupt individuals on both sides.
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands was not able to attend due to pressing domestic duties, said the Office of the Premier.
It comes as the TCI prepares to lobby for full entry into the regional body – CARICOM – and after 2022, a devastating year of gun related murders which led to a grim #1 ranking for murders in the region per capita last year.
#TurksandCaicos, April 15, 2024 – The recent aggravated robbery targeting a five-member household is undoubtedly distressing for both the victims and the community at large.
Superintendent (Division A) Willet Harvey said, “Around 11:21 pm yesterday (April 14th) evening, the Police Control Room received a report that four masked males, three of whom were armed, entered a residence at New Subdivision, Grand Turk, and proceeded to rob the occupants.
The armed suspects managed to flee the scene on foot and escaped.
“Following the report, officers were dispatched to the scene, conducted extensive searches and interviewed individuals. Based on the information received, we are actively pursuing several leads that will lead to arrests in the shortest possible time.
“The incident highlights the importance of remaining vigilant and proactively safeguarding homes and families. I advise people to enhance their home security by locking doors and windows when inside, investing in a CCTV system, and ensuring adequate outdoor lighting. Should you have any information on this burglary or illegal activities in Grand Turk, please call 946-2299. ”
The RTCIPF asks the public to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, and anonymously give any information on illegal activity.
Additionally, persons are encouraged to download the CrimeStoppers P3 app and share information.
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#TrinidadandTobago, April 15, 2024 – Heinous crimes continue to plague the Caribbean region, the latest the beheading of a four year old girl in Trinidad on Tuesday April 9, leaving a deep sense of shock and sadness over her town, Fifth Street, Five Rivers, Arouca in the East-West Corridor of Trinidad and Tobago.
The little girl whose life was severely cut short is identified as Amarah Lallitte and her killer is reportedly her step-father.
Reports are saying he killed her between 10 pm Monday and Midnight Tuesday. Her mother Tricia Villaruel, 41, who filed a domestic disturbance report, expressed deep grief and disbelief at the fact that the stepfather, 39, would hurt her.
Villaruel reports the events before her daughter was killed. She recalls the stepfather acting strange which she said is unlike him. She
expressed that he was acting like he was schizophrenic, as if “he was a different person, and different personalities were talking to me that night.”
She said she left to get help from the police out of fear that he would harm her and going she tried to bring Amarah, who she highlights wasn’t coming.
“but she not coming. She was laughing like she thought we were playing so I had no choice.”
Following the mother’s report to the police, they went back to the house to find it locked up and in darkness. The officers called for the stepfather who came out calm with no blood on him. Villaruel was then told to get her daughter. It was at this time that she was found dead by her mother who screamed at the sight of her daughter’s headless body.
Her head was reportedly stashed in a barrel at the back of the house and her body in another room.
At the sight of the decapitated four year old, some officers were moved to tears according to Richard Smith, Senior Superintendent of Police, in reports.
In fact he says they may need counseling from the Victim and Support Unit and they were deeply affected, as would any human being.
The suspect was arrested and taken to the station for questioning.
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