Crime
TCI Police Warn Special Unit Assertively tackling Child Abuse Matters
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, June 18, 2023 – Child abuse is on the increase in the Turks and Caicos and the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is worried about the safety of the nation’s children at the hands of their caregivers. They made the revelation in a press release titled ‘Parents Beware’ shared with Magnetic Media Wednesday night.
Police Officers and the Social Services arm of the government have a front row seat to cases of abuse against minors in the country as all must be reported to them. The increase has now become concerning enough for them to appeal to the nation
“There has been an increase in the number of incidents of child abuse [and neglect]. Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers are being advised to desist from abusing children in any form,” they warned.
“Whilst it may be challenging at times for children to be obedient and compliant to instructions, resorting to abuse is
NEVER an option,” the press release maintained.
Though no statistics regarding the increase were shared, residents are being urged to seek professional help if parenting is becoming too much to handle or if their child’s behavior is becoming too challenging to manage.
As for anyone who resorted to abuse they had this message, “The Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit shall investigate ALL reported incidents of child abuse and where there is evidence, the perpetrators will be dealt with to the fullest extent under the Children (Care and Protection) Ordinance.”
In a report carried by Magnetic Media earlier this year, statistics from 2022 revealed by the Department of Social Services exposed that: Seventy related child abuse cases were reported in 2022 of which twenty-nine (29) were physical abuse; thirteen (13) were child sexual abuse (adult-to-child); thirteen (13) were child in need or neglect cases; four (4) were emotional abuse matters, six (6) were runaway cases and five (5) child deaths.
Residents have a legal obligation to report child abuse you can do so by making a report at the nearest police station, contacting the Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit at 232- 6696, Department of Social Development at 338-4008 or calling 911.
Crime
“Life in Prison for setting fire” as Wheeland Residents say fire bomb tossed into residence Monday night
Wilkie Arthur and Deandrea Hamilton
Turks and Caicos, September 13, 2024 – TCI Police are not saying how the fire was set, but they do confirm a fire was intentionally set and witnesses speaking to Eagle Legal News Media report that it was thrown into a Wheeland house where it landed in the living room and exploded.
“…it is alleged criminals sent fire bomb (s) through a home, but thankfully no one was in the living room area where it landed and an explosion was heard loudly, no one was hurt or injured,” reported Wilkie Arthur of Eagle Legal on the night of the horrifying incident.
The Police report explains: Shortly after 8 p.m. yesterday (September 9), officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force
responded to a fire report at a dwelling in Wheeland, Blue Hills, Providenciales. Upon arrival at the scene, police officers and firefighters saw a structure in flames.
All efforts to contain the fire were successful. Fortunately, there were no injuries. Based on initial reports, the fire appears to have been deliberately set.
The RTCIPF wishes to remind the public that under the Malicious Injuries to Property Ordinance Chapter 3.11, Section 4, “Setting fire to a dwelling-house with any person being therein Whosoever shall unlawfully and maliciously set fire to any dwelling house, any person being therein, commits an offence, and being convicted thereof shall be liable to imprisonment for life.”
Fire Trucks and Police were summoned to the scene on Monday night. Images of the response are shared by Eagle Legal.
Meanwhile, the RT&CIPF is asking anyone with information that may help in this investigation 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.
***MEDIA RELEASE***
Turks and Caicos, 10th September 2024 – Shortly after 8 p.m. yesterday (September 9), officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force responded to a fire report at a dwelling in Wheeland, Blue Hills, Providenciales.
Upon arrival at the scene, police officers and firefighters saw a structure in flames.
All efforts to contain the fire were successful. Fortunately, there were no injuries.
Based on initial reports, the fire appears to have been deliberately set.
The RTCIPF wishes to remind the public that under the Malicious Injuries to Property Ordinance Chapter 3.11, Section 4, “Setting fire to a dwelling-house with any person being therein Whosoever shall unlawfully and maliciously set fire to any dwelling house, any person being therein, commits an offence, and being convicted thereof shall be liable to imprisonment for life.”
The RT&CIPF is asking anyone with information that may help in this investigation 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.
Photo by Eagle Legal News Media
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