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Is TCI investing enough in crime prevention, detection and resolution? 

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#TurksandCaicos, July, 2023 – Despite the recent reduction in serious crimes in Turks and Caicos Islands, based on crime per capita, it is still at unacceptably high levels.  Overall, crime trends are better but still worse than they once were.

Are we so immune to violence now that we are beginning to accept it as the new normal, or are we becoming comfortably numb?

In my opinion, some communities have been left behind in the success of overall crime reduction. Be it Five Cays, South Dock road or Kew town in Provo.

Unfortunately, these communities continue to be plagued with unparalleled levels of crime and violence and it’s incredibly unsettling to see.

There should be no room for complacency and this should be a rallying cry.

Although more can be done, in most cases, the level of crime is not due to a lack of effort on the part of our local law enforcement agencies.

Nonetheless, I think it’s important that the department take a closer look at the demographics and find more efficient ways to meet these growing challenges head on, by funding crime prevention programs and initiatives that are effective.

Initiatives should as Operation Pursuit and the re-establishment of the Turks and Caicos Islands Joint Law Enforcement Group(J-LEG) was a smart strategic move, and will give the police department the impetus it needs to intensify the fight against crime.

Utilizing strategies like these that focus on policing and mobilization of agencies working hand in hand, will be both financially and strategically beneficial.

Although most crimes are unpredictable, some of the risk factors are already established in these communities that creates this cycle of violence, but are often overlooked; whether it’s due to lack of funding or active citizens involvement.

In certain communities where good paying jobs are scarce and families are marginalized, this makes it easier for wayward youths to justify other ways and means to make an income by get involved in criminal related activity.

Having quality after school programs like the Edward Gartland youth center in Provo, is an excellent alternative outlet and if properly funded, can have a tremendous impact on our youth and  crime reduction. Programs such as these, should be mirrored in the other developing islands?

With the exposure of the internet and social media, in most cases, parents are limited to what they can do and control now days. At the end of the day, it’s all about creating the appropriate environment for our youth to grow and thrive.

Crime resolution in a small developing country like TCI is an immense challenge, especially with limited resources. This is an area that must have the community support.

Having had the opportunity to work closely with various law enforcement agencies across the US, conducting a number of high level investigations, I understand some cases can be complex and painstaking work.

Nevertheless, it’s rewarding for both law enforcement and citizens alike, when a crime is solved and criminals are removed from the streets within a reasonable timeframe.

Some of the investigations especially cold cases, will require formidable expertise with specialized training. It will also demands bravery from citizens with information who are willing to come forward without fear or reprisals.

In taking a holistic approach to crime prevention, we have to start with reaching children and young adults who are susceptible to gangs or have fallen into criminal behavior and need a second chance. These are groups from which all too often society turns away.

It’s important that we explore the social conditions that provides the motivation and opportunity for criminality to thrive in the first place.

Law enforcement in coordination with Social Workers have to take a step back to see the wider picture. They should re-examine how to best serve communities through collaboration and their leadership. This will allow them to better determine if their combined efforts are indeed having a positive impact on crime prevention or just trying to control it?

Of course, crime fighting is easier said than done. Having said that, what we need more of, are high tech crime fighting tools and equipment with easier access and quicker turnaround of evidence.

Crime fighting tools like fiber analysis, DNA, biometric fingerprints, high resolution CCTV surveillance systems, SmartWater forensic kit etc, all of which requires a significant amount of investment and partnerships.

Fingerprints are by far the most frequently retrieved physical evidence. With the rapid growth in our population, at some point, finding ways to enlarge the database collection and automation could contribute more toward greater success in identifying criminal offenders.

Not only will these tools be useful, but it also creates new job opportunities for students with interest in such field of study.

So, how do we measure the effectiveness to achieve the desired outcome? We must start with taking a more pragmatic approach with stronger focus on higher-risk individuals and communities.

Once in the criminal system, social workers and probation officers can begin targeting factors that contribute to criminal behavior, and using cognitive behavioral treatment to reduce recidivism rates.

This coupled with citizens trust and confidence in the leadership team will erase negative perceptions and improve outcomes.

The ongoing success in reducing the most serious criminal offences, will rest largely on our law enforcement department’s ability to quickly identify, apprehend and bring criminals to justice.

This is a battle that law enforcement cannot win alone. With a coordinated effort and every likeminded citizens doing their part, it will ensure that the Turks and Caicos Islands remain a safe place to live, work, visit and do business.

 

Ed Forbes

Grand Turk Concerned Citizen

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Beaches Turks & Caicos wrapped up another successful Provo Men’s Premier League season  

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks and Caicos continued its strong commitment to sports development in the Turks and Caicos Islands with its sponsorship of the 2025/2026 Provo Men’s Premier League, a partnership that has significantly elevated the competition for a second consecutive year.

The season, which saw an increase in participating teams and heightened competitiveness across the league, has been widely regarded as one of the most successful in recent years. The top honours were shared between two of the league’s most dominant sides, SWA Sharks FC and Academy Eagles FC, both delivering consistent and high-level performances throughout the campaign.

Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) Technical Director Dane Ritchie highlighted the critical role Beaches Turks and Caicos played in strengthening the league’s structure and overall quality.

“The sponsorship from Beaches Turks and Caicos for the second year helped tremendously in making the competition a success,” Ritchie said. “This season we were able to have a more structured programme with the inclusion of youth talents coming to the fore, as well as the improvement of the coaching staff for the different teams being certified by Concacaf.”

Ritchie noted that the enhanced organisation of the league created more opportunities for emerging players, while also raising the standard of coaching and match preparation. The integration of youth talent into senior teams was particularly impactful, signaling a positive shift toward long-term player development within the territory.

Provo Men’s Premier League President Patrick Baptiste echoed these sentiments, describing the season as a milestone for both football and youth advancement in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“This was a very good year for football and youth development,” Baptiste said. “We were able to overcome a few challenging moments, but the overall grade for this season is an A.”

Baptiste emphasised that the continued support from Beaches Turks and Caicos has been instrumental in driving the league forward, providing much-needed financial backing and stability.

“With a title sponsor like Beaches Turks and Caicos providing the financial support again for this season, we are grateful,” he added. “We have come a far way and we still have a way to go, but the TCIFA team has been charged to continue to be creative in our marketing and being more inclusive in how we seek to showcase the talents of the TCI.”

Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort General Manager Deryk Meany also expressed satisfaction with the partnership and the overall progress of the league.

“Our commitment to youth development and the growth of sports and community throughout the TCI is of paramount importance to us as an organisation,” Meany said. “We are satisfied with this partnership and being the main sponsor is a major accomplishment for the resort. We are happy to have fielded a team this season that was placed fourth in the knockout round of the competition. We are seeking to continue to provide growth for our team members as well as the development of talent throughout the TCI.”

The 2025/2026 season also reflected broader efforts to professionalize football operations locally, including improved scheduling, officiating standards and fan engagement initiatives. Matches drew increased attendance, while community interest in the sport continued to grow, particularly among young athletes aspiring to compete at higher levels.

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Platinum Sponsor Beaches Turks & Caicos celebrates top Corporate Engagement title at DG’s 5K 2026  

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks and Caicos has been recognised with the corporate engagement award after fielding the largest number of participants in the second staging of the Turks and Caicos Islands Deputy Governor’s 5K Run/Walk, held recently.

The resort, which also served as a platinum sponsor for the event, mobilized an impressive team of 100 participants, demonstrating its strong commitment to community engagement, health, and philanthropy. Proceeds from the initiative will benefit three key organisations: the Turks and Caicos Islands Cancer Society, the United Way of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Ashley Learning Centre.

General Manager Deryk Meany praised the collective effort of the Beaches team, highlighting the significance of the initiative both for employee wellness and community impact.

“This was a team effort that saw the resort mobilising a strong team to participate in this event,” Meany said. “It provided a healthy activity for participation as well as giving back to a worthy cause. Congratulations to the Deputy Governor and her organising team for staging such a successful event.”

Participants from across various departments joined the early morning run/walk, showcasing camaraderie, determination and a shared commitment to making a difference.

Hotel Manager Ghislain Boutoulle described the event as both physically rewarding and meaningful.

“The route was very good. It was challenging at first but once I got the pace of the run, it was a good morning workout that was done for a worthy cause,” Boutoulle shared. “The Beaches team were well organised and showed the grit and determination to complete the run.”

For many team members, the experience extended beyond fitness, offering opportunities for personal connection and memorable moments. Soraha Jolly from the resort’s entertainment department highlighted the event’s emotional significance.

“This was good. I got the chance to participate with my mother and we ended the run feeling healthy,” Jolly said. “The event was a combination of partnership, healthy lifestyle and camaraderie. I am looking forward to the next staging to be the first to register for the Beaches team. It was a great experience for the entire team, but a very special one for me and my mom.”

Deputy Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams commended all participants and sponsors, with special recognition given to Beaches Turks and Caicos for its outstanding contribution.

“The three beneficiaries for this year’s staging were carefully selected to benefit from this event,” the Deputy Governor noted. “Giving back to the community, providing support for health through the Cancer Society and building a strong platform for education with the Ashley Learning Centre allowed the team to give back to a great cause.”

She continued, “We are grateful for all our sponsors but a special commendation to our platinum sponsor, the Beaches Turks and Caicos team, for not only donating but having the largest contingent of participants for this event. This is what true partnership looks like as we continue to build a strong relationship to make our community and the Turks and Caicos Islands better.”

The Deputy Governor’s 5K Run/Walk continues to grow as a signature community event, promoting wellness while raising critical funds for organisations that support health, education and social development across the islands.

Beaches Turks and Caicos’ strong showing this year underscores the resort’s ongoing commitment to corporate social responsibility and community partnership. With its record participation and enthusiastic team spirit, the resort has set a high benchmark for future events, reinforcing its role as a leader in both hospitality and community engagement in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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Experience Turks and Caicos and Statistics Authority Publish Latest Visitor Exit Survey Report    

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (June 16th, 2026) — Experience Turks and Caicos, in collaboration with the Statistics Authority, has announced the completion and publication of the latest Visitor Exit Survey Report, providing enhanced insights into visitor behaviour, spending patterns and overall travel experiences in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Visitor Exit Survey is a joint initiative designed to better understand the characteristics of visitors to the destination, including their travel motivations, length of stay, expenditure, satisfaction levels and perceptions of the Turks and Caicos Islands as a tourism destination.

While exit surveys have been conducted in previous years, this latest publication marks a significant enhancement in the way tourism data is collected and shared. It introduces a new quarterly reporting framework, with surveys conducted at the end of each quarter and findings published on a more frequent basis throughout the year.

This improved reporting cycle is intended to provide more timely and actionable insights to support tourism planning, policy development, marketing strategy formulation and broader industry decision-making.

“The Statistics Authority is pleased to partner with Experience Turks and Caicos on the Visitor Exit Survey program,” said Mr. Shirlen Forbes, Director. “As tourism remains the cornerstone of our economy, reliable and timely data is essential for understanding visitor behaviour, measuring tourism’s economic impact and supporting informed decision-making. We value our ongoing collaboration with Experience Turks and Caicos and believe these quarterly reports will provide stakeholders with valuable insights to help guide the future growth and development of the industry.”

Miss Sharissa Lightbourne, Marketing Intelligence Manager of Experience Turks and Caicos, noted that the expanded approach will allow government and industry stakeholders to better track trends in visitor behaviour and assess the economic contribution of tourism beyond traditional arrival statistics.

“Data is the foundation of informed decision-making and plays a critical role in shaping the future of our tourism industry. The insights contained in this report provide a deeper understanding of who our visitors are, how they experience the destination, and how they engage with our tourism product. This information is invaluable to our hotel partners, service providers, investors and other stakeholders as they refine their business strategies, enhance the visitor experience and identify new opportunities for growth. I would like to thank the Statistics Authority for its continued collaboration and commitment to strengthening tourism intelligence in the Turks and Caicos Islands. I encourage everyone in the industry to download the report and explore the valuable insights it contains,” she said.

The findings will also support more targeted destination marketing efforts, improved visitor experience initiatives and more informed investment decisions across the tourism sector.

Experience Turks and Caicos and the Statistics Authority reaffirm their commitment to strengthening tourism intelligence and ensuring that stakeholders across the industry have access to reliable, timely and relevant data.

Download the report here: https://issuu.com/myexperiencetci/docs/tci_departing_visitor_survey_report_q1_2026

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