News
Our leaders Say Longer Prison Sentences Will Prevent Gun Violence — But Do They?
#TurksandCaicos, June 12, 2023 – A stark increase from 7 to 12 years mandatory prison sentencing for illegal firearms possession in Turks and Caicos Islands; this is the newly amended law.
Possessing an illegal firearm is considered one of the most egregious crimes in TCI. Therefore, as a deterrent, word of harsh sentence add-ons should spread quickly to would-be criminals and make one think twice before arming themselves with an illegal or unlicensed firearm.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t seem to be the case. Whilst notable progress has been made with reducing violent crimes in TCI, more must be done to stem the flow of illegal weapons into the country.
Based on the continuous firearms related violence, it’s evident a number of weapons are still ending up in the hands of individuals who shouldn’t have them.
It would be remiss of me if I fail to commend the bravery of our dedicated police officers who are often confronted with these challenges in their efforts to deter and rid the streets of these illegal firearms.
Nevertheless, I have ambivalent feelings about the haste in which this amended law was implemented. It came on the backdrop of the rash of gun related homicides several months ago that were connected to gang violence.
Furthermore, studies have shown there is little evidence to support the intended purposes of firearm sentencing enhancements, reducing crime rates and gun use.
In my opinion, what the courts failed to take into consideration is the negative impact it will have on the same group of young adults we are trying to help and protect.
The courts should not be callously handing down these verdicts, especially to our youth who are first-time offenders and without physically harming an individual. The impact on the individual and the community can sometimes produce absurd and unintended results.
It’s obvious this law alone is not stopping the violence or importation of illegal weapons. In addition, these felons are not serving life sentences and will eventually be released into society.
Many concerned citizens are watching and awaiting the verdict associated with the recent revelations on April 25th, 2023, of an American tourist who was arrested at the airport for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition and was subsequently granted bail.
The disposition of this case if not aligned with our strict laws, could be sending a dangerous and conflicting message to potential visitors, as ignorance of the law should not be an excuse.
The outcome will also highlight the glaring contradiction as it relates to recent sentencing of local individuals for similar offenses. Hopefully it will prompt legislators to take a second look at the laws and display a willingness to consider how they might more reasonably revise it.
If not already in place, this should include creating some sort of a safety net that allows judges to sentence below the mandatory minimum for first time offenders, and give them a second chance if doing so will not endanger the public.
There are others, but I can cite one example of an incident that was brought to the public attention that still raises some questions or lacking follow up information.
A few years ago, a mechanic/boat operator was arrested for firearms found on a luxury yacht in Turtle Cove. If I’m not mistaken, he is not serving a 7 year minimum sentence which was the law at the time. It goes to show that those in the upper echelon of society always have the advantage.
It is time for our judicial system to take a hard look at how this law is negatively impacting the marginalized communities, and stop pretending that the penalties for illegal possession of a firearm apply universally across this country.
I have absolutely nothing personally against the mechanic/boat operator or the American tourist, but does the law only apply to some? If there are legal loopholes in the law, let’s make every effort to close them.
Apart from the fact that there could be inherent biases in the laws, are we conducting our own intensive research to see why more and more of our youth are illegally arming themselves?
Could it be because of the recent rise in gang violence and their fears of insecurity? Did the pandemic contribute to increase social anxiety? Have they lost confidence in our law enforcement ability to resolve reported crimes within a reasonable timeframe? 
In an interview with a recently released felon, he expressed his remorse for his involvement in a crime he was convicted for. The challenge facing him now is a struggle to find an employer who is willing to give him a second chance.
These are all valid and real concerns and must be dealt with in this country. With that being said, we should not make our young men the scapegoat of our broken society. Until we can effectively tackle the source, it will only result in a mass incarceration problem.
Since there is no cookie cutter approach to these types of challenges, I think it’s extremely important that before any country mimic or adapt the laws or policies of others, it’s imperative that they conduct their own thorough research and analysis to determine the impact.
The fact of the matter is, TCI is not in the position as some of the other developed countries in terms of having the necessary available resources to deal with this growing problem.
The government must dig deeper, and invest in more community driven social programs such as, a pre-release job training services and work release programs for ex-felons etc. Once released, without real intervention, rehabilitation and support, this could result in the perpetuating of criminal behavior.
Despite the controversial nature of this law, I appeal to our young men. We understand due to certain circumstances beyond your control, be it mental or emotional, many of you are struggling with temptation to do the wrong thing.
We hear you, I can assure you that your life is worth more than any problem you are facing. Think twice, Stop the senseless killings, Don’t throw away your freedom with the mere possession or use of an illicit firearm.
By Deandrea Hamilton
The Cassandra I remember never backed down from a fight.
She had an effervescent personality and was fiercely committed to her family—and that included her church and her friends. She deeply
appreciated the people God had given her, drawing on their love and support to push through circumstances no child, no teenager, should have to face.
Today, voters in a country far from where she grew up have trusted her to champion more accessible communities and better responses to people facing mental health and developmental challenges.
It speaks volumes about what happens when we believe in our children. When we refuse to set limits on who they can become, regardless of how they started. When we recognize God’s hand on their lives and support their ability to contribute and make an impact, wherever He places them.
Cassandra Toussaint is now councilwoman-elect for Ward 1 in Avon, Indiana, after defeating Republican Doug Elmore in the November 3 election. She ran as a Democrat. (youarecurrent.com)
Of Haitian heritage, she grew up in Turks and Caicos, attending Oseta Jolly, briefly Maranatha, and then TCIPS.
Her connections remain strong: friends, family and Lady Turks Gift Shop, a boutique venture she created with her best friend, Novie, from an idea they shared as teenagers.
Her family includes her father, Eliezer Toussaint, and her brother, Stoycov Toussaint, who graduated from Indiana University. Stephane Ambroise is playing basketball in Canada. Her mother, Ertha Etienne, died when Cassandra and her siblings were children.
In Turks and Caicos, her cousins Brenda, Steven, Lendcy and Sarah Cenary are, she says, successful and passionate about helping young
people and giving back to their community. Their mother, her aunt Rose Philomene Cenary, has worked in the Islands’ hotel industry for years and holds a special place in Cassandra’s heart.
“My aunt is the glue of my family,” Cassandra said, describing her love for the family and how she has always done her best to support them all.
A registered behavior technician, Toussaint says her childhood experiences inspired her to advocate for children who feel misunderstood.
Her campaign priorities included improved roads, accessible parks and facilities, and police training to better recognize and respond to autism and intellectual disabilities.
With limited money and little preparation time, she took her campaign directly to residents, knocking on doors and connecting at community events.
“Every resident deserves to be met with understanding,” she wrote.
The young woman I remember is preparing to bring that conviction into public office.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (November 6th, 2026) – The Turks and Caicos Islands welcomes Porter Airlines as it begins its service to the destination with its inaugural Toronto (YYZ) to Providenciales (PLS) route on Friday, November 6th. The airline will service the route five times weekly from the Toronto Pearson International Airport.
On December 17th, Porter will launch its Ottawa to PLS flight, a new route for the Turks and Caicos Islands. That route will be serviced twice weekly from Ottawa International Airport (YOW).
Minister of Tourism, Hon. Zhavargo Jolly said the expansion of air service from Canada reflects the growing strength of that market to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“Canada is showing strong and growing interest in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and we are pleased to see that reflected in the expansion of air service from the market. Porter Airlines’ new nonstop flights from Toronto and Ottawa strengthen our connectivity with Canada and give travellers more convenient options for reaching our islands. Canadians have always shown a genuine appreciation for the culture, heritage, natural beauty and, of course, the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Perhaps it is that shared warmth and friendliness that keeps bringing them back, and our partnership with Porter will simply make it easier for Canadians to continue showing their love for our Beautiful by Nature islands. Toronto builds on an important existing market for us, while Ottawa opens an entirely new gateway to the Turks and Caicos Islands. This increased access will make it easier for more Canadians to discover and enjoy our destination, while supporting the continued growth of this important market.”
Hon. Arlington Musgrove, minister responsible for aviation, Turks and Caicos commended his team at the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) for developing this relationship with Porter.
“The launch of Porter Airlines’ new services from Toronto and Ottawa to the Turks and Caicos Islands is another important milestone in strengthening our connectivity with the Canadian market. Canada remains an important source market for our tourism industry, and these new routes will give Canadians more choice and easier access to the warmth, beauty, and hospitality of the Turks and Caicos Islands. I
commend the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority for leading this initiative and for its continued efforts to develop air service and build strong relationships with our airline partners. I also extend our sincere appreciation to Porter Airlines for its confidence in the Turks and Caicos Islands and for choosing our destination as part of its growing network of sun destinations. We warmly welcome Porter, its passengers and crew to our shores and look forward to a successful and lasting partnership,” he said.
To celebrate and promote the new flights, Experience Turks and Caicos hosted a reception in Ottawa for travel advisors and media. Organised by VoX International, our marketing agency in Canada, the event featured remarks by Market Intelligence Manager, Sharissa Lightbourne and Chairman of the TCIAA, Dwayne Gardiner. Nikeva Ariza, Director of Corporate Affairs, Communications and Public Engagement was also in attendance.
The new flights are operated by Porter’s 132-seat Embraer E195-E2. The aircraft features a two-by-two seating configuration, meaning no middle seats for any passenger. Porter’s elevated onboard experience includes complimentary beer and wine served in glassware, premium Canadian snacks, and free, fast WiFi for every passenger.
To book your flight, visit www.flyporter.com.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (November 4th, 2026) – The Turks and Caicos Islands recorded its highest number of stayover arrivals for the third quarter of the year, with approximately 130,000 visitors welcomed between July and September, representing a three percent increase over the same period in 2025.
Preliminary figures from Experience Turks and Caicos show that the destination recorded 514,670 stayover arrivals for the first nine months of 2026, an increase of 25,048 visitors, or five percent, compared with the same period last year. Growth was recorded in every month from January through September, underscoring the destination’s continued appeal among travellers and the sustained demand for its tourism product.
Stay Over Arrivals by Quarter (2025/2026)
September closed the quarter on a positive note, with 20,204 stayover arrivals, seven percent more than the 18,795 recorded in September 2025. The year-to-date total of 514,670 is the highest number of stayover arrivals ever recorded for the January-to-September period.
Commenting on the record stayover arrivals, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Zhavargo Jolly said: “These record arrivals are an encouraging achievement for the Turks and Caicos Islands and a reflection of the continued confidence visitors have in our destination. However, I’ve always maintained that the true measure of tourism’s success cannot simply be the number of visitors arriving on our shores. It must also be measured by the opportunities we create for our people.”
“Our vision is to build a stronger, higher-value tourism industry where Turks and Caicos Islanders are not simply employees, but entrepreneurs, business owners and active participants in the economic opportunities tourism creates. This is why our recent Community Connect meetings across the sister islands were so important. We want to engage directly with our communities, understand their challenges and ensure that as our tourism industry grows, the opportunities for our people grow alongside it. Ultimately, tourism must do more than bring people to our shores. It must improve the lives of the people who call these islands home.”
Cruise arrivals reflect return to regular itineraries
Cruise passenger arrivals at the Grand Turk Cruise Port followed a different trend during the first nine months of 2026, with figures reflecting a return to more typical cruise itineraries following an unusually strong period in 2025.
Last year, cruise lines added Grand Turk to their itineraries, resulting in exceptionally high passenger volumes and cruise calls. With itineraries returning to more regular patterns this year, cruise passenger arrivals declined year over year throughout the first nine months.
The destination received 62,095 cruise passengers in September, a 22 percent decrease from the 79,341 recorded in September 2025. From January through September, total cruise passenger arrivals stood at 838,533, compared with 1,016,532 during the same period last year, representing an 18 percent decline.
Cruise Arrivals by Quarter (2025/2026)
While the cruise figures reflect a normalisation from last year’s elevated numbers, the continued growth in stayover arrivals provides a positive indicator of the destination’s performance in its overnight visitor market.
It is projected that the month-on-month increases in stayover arrivals will continue into the upcoming winter season, especially with the additional airlift expected from new and existing gateways in Canada and the US.
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