News
TCI Police still guarded on Gang intel; but who does that profit?
By Deandrea Hamilton and Dana Malcolm
Editorial Staff
#TurksandCaicos, July 3, 2023 – It has been almost a year since the residents of the Turks and Caicos were told that there are gangs operating in their midst; murdering and trafficking in illicit goods yet identifying details on these criminal enterprises are practically non-existent.
We reached out to the Police to learn what they know and why that knowledge it hasn’t been shared with the public, even in part, to increase surveillance and make residents more aware of trends.
Magnetic Media queried who the gangs were and how they identify themselves and how many of the criminal organizations are operating in the country.
The police have replied.
“It would be inappropriate to identify gangs– as to do so would potentially compromise operational activity and alert gang members of the police forces awareness of their criminality making the targeting of them more challenging. However, the RTCIPF are striving to map out the gangs to have a coordinated approach to targeting and disrupting their criminality,” we were told.
Police also told us gang members don’t often overtly identify themselves as part of a specific gang ‘but evolve into a gang or group through their involvement in criminality together and frequent association.’
Despite this, we are told the gangs do identify themselves by name, usually attached to the area in which they operate but these names too, police failed to divulge.
We questioned where these gangs are headquartered, where they frequent and where they recruit young men,
though our questions were more geared toward providing information for caregivers and residents to be wary of having their own sons frequent once again we were told:
“It would be inappropriate to refer to specific locations that the gangs frequent or operate within and it is often the case that they will commit crime across several geographic locations.”
But this explanation exposes inconsistencies in how information is managed; the police bending their own rules when they want to. Case in point: In 2022 residents were told there were Jamaicans, Haitians and TC Bahamians heading various criminal organizations in the Turks and Caicos resulting in a bloody turf war.
The result was a spike in interest of the crime wave gripping TCI as journalists from around the region and the UK ran talk shows and headlining reports on this murder spree that spared no one. It was a disclosure which also resulted in a multi-country cooperation which eventually quelled the crime and stopped the rampage.
Proof that finger pointing has its benefits.
However, when we asked how many of these gangs were potentially spread out across the country and the size of the criminal camps, we were told, “It would be inappropriate to comment on specific numbers of gangs and the level of membership. However, the police are striving to map and assess the number of gangs and the current assessment is that the potential number of gangs operating in TCI is not exceptionally disproportionate to the population or when compared to other countries.”
Despite TCI being completely average according to Police, on the suspected amount of gangs in the country, those gangs managed to push the small nation to the top of the region (and likely the globe) in terms of murder rate.
In light of the interception of a US shipment of guns bound for the TCI last year, Magnetic Media also tried to find out if there were connections to any overseas gangs who were bankrolling the local criminals but information on that was murky as well though the Police did confirm there was evidence of overseas involvement.
“There is intelligence that would suggest that TCI, like most if not all countries in the region, have a transnational threat about organized crime with inevitable associated financial crime and money laundering.”
Despite the lengthy response, valuable information was missing, denying a nation still traumatized by the events of last year any real insight or confidence that police are vigorously working the angle of crime prevention.
Education
Back-to-School Health Tips for Parents and Students: A Message from the Ministry of Health and Human Services Deandrea Hamilton You
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – September 2024: As the school year begins, the Ministry of Health and Services is dedicated to ensuring students stay healthy and active throughout the academic year. The return to school is an exciting time, and we are encouraging parents to help their children build healthy habits that will support their physical and mental well-being. Here are some essential general health tips to keep in mind:
- Eat a Balanced Diet: Encourage your child to consume a variety of nutrient-rich foods that support growth and energy.
- Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein in their daily meals.
- Limit sugary snacks and junk food, which can affect concentration and energy levels.
- Stay Hydrated: Hydration is crucial for mental clarity and physical performance.
- Ensure your child drinks plenty of water throughout the day, especially during school hours.
- Equip them with a reusable water bottle to make hydration easy and accessible.
- Stay Active: Physical activity promotes not just fitness, but also mental alertness.
- Encourage participation in school sports or active play during recess.
- Aim for at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day, whether through organised sports or free play
- Manage Stress: School can sometimes be stressful for students, especially as they balance academic and extracurricular activities.
- Teach your child to take regular breaks to relax and recharge.
- Encourage open conversations if they feel overwhelmed. Let them know it’s okay to ask for help.
Maintaining proper hygiene and practising illness prevention is essential for keeping students healthy, especially during the school year when they interact closely with others in classrooms and playgrounds. Here are some hygiene-related tips:
- Wash Hands Regularly: Good hand hygiene is a key defense against illness.
- Teach children to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before meals and after using the restroom
- Practice Good Hygiene: Promoting cleanliness reduces the spread of illness.
- Remind your child to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their elbow when coughing or sneezing.
- Encourage them to avoid touching their face with unwashed hands to reduce the risk of infections.
- Stay Home if You’re Sick:One of the best ways to prevent the spread of illness in schools is staying home when unwell.
- Keep your child home if they are showing signs of illness to protect classmates and teachers.
- Seek medical advice if symptoms persist or worsen.
- Get Vaccinated: Immunisations are critical for preventing diseases.
- Ensure your child is up to date with their required vaccinations.
- Consider the flu shot to protect against seasonal flu, especially before flu season begins.
The Minister of Health and Human Services, Shaun D. Malcolm remarked, “The Ministry of Health and Services is committed to supporting the health and safety of our students as they return to school. By following these simple tips, parents can help their children have a healthy, productive, and enjoyable school year”.
For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.
News
Press Release from Deputy Leader of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), Mr. Robert Been Jr.
Subject: The Neglect of Road Infrastructure in the TCI
Turks and Caicos, September 16, 2024 – The PDM along with Turks and Caicos Islanders are deeply concerned about the deplorable conditions of the highways and roads, particularly in Providenciales. As I travel across the island and listen to the concerns
of our citizens, one issue that stands out is the lack of proper maintenance and upkeep of our roadways. This is not just a matter of inconvenience, but a blatant failure by the current PNP Administration to carry out one of the most basic functions of government: ensuring our roads are safe, functional, and well-maintained.
Many of the roads are overgrown with trees and bush, creating both an eyesore and a hazard for motorists and pedestrians. The once pristine landscapes that contributed to our image as “Beautiful by Nature” are now obscured by untrimmed vegetation and deteriorating road conditions. This is in stark contrast to the beauty that we proudly showcase to the world as our biggest selling point in the tourism market.
Tourism is the lifeblood of our economy, and the condition of our roads is a reflection of how we maintain the image of our islands. When tourists drive through these overgrown, unkempt highways, what message are we sending? That we do not care about the very
product we are trying to sell? This neglect not only affects the experience of our visitors but also places undue strain on our local residents who use these roads daily.
This lack of basic road maintenance is another example of the PNP’s incompetence. If they are failing at this most basic level, how can Turks and Caicos Islanders trust them to manage the more complex and pressing affairs of our country? Road maintenance is not a luxury; it is a necessity. It is the bare minimum that the government should be providing for its citizens. When the PNP boasts about their achievements, we must ask, what good is a record-setting budget if they can’t even ensure the proper upkeep of our roadways?
The PDM understands the importance of basic government functions. A new PDM government will make it a priority to address the comprehensive repair and maintenance of the road infrastructure across the entire Turks and Caicos Islands. We will ensure that roads are not only repaired but also regularly maintained to prevent these kinds of issues from arising again. Our administration will focus on the fundamentals first, because we know that when the basics are handled well, everything else follows.
The future of our islands depends on a government that can effectively manage the day-to-day needs of its people, while also preparing for long-term development and growth. The PDM is committed to ensuring that the Turks and Caicos Islands remains beautiful, not just in name, but in reality. The people of this nation deserve better, and under a PDM government, we will make sure that you get it.
Robert Been Jr.
Deputy Leader of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM)
Turks and Caicos Islands
***MEDIA RELEASE***
Turks and Caicos, September 15, 2024 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Serious Crime Unit has identified Barnabas Norbert as the victim of yesterday evening’s homicide.
Mr. Norbert, 60, of Blue Hills, Providenciales, was killed shortly after 9 pm.
Initial police reports indicated that the Police Control Room received reports that gunshots were heard near Phase One in Blue Hills, Providenciales.
Officers, along with medical personnel, responded and, upon arrival at the given location, noticed that two males had sustained what appeared to be gunshot wounds.
Mr. Norbert was deceased, while another male, age 29, was transported to a medical facility for treatment.
The RTCIPF extends condolences to Mr. Norbert’s relatives and friends.
While at the scene of the homicide, officers received information shortly after 10 pm of an aggravated burglary in the area.
A male victim had arrived home when he was accosted by two armed men who proceeded to rob him of valuables. The armed suspects ran off and escaped.
Shortly after 2 am today (September 15), the Police Control Room received a report of a robbery at a restaurant in Kew Town.
Reports are that three males, one of whom was armed with a firearm approached employees as they were closing the establishment and robbed them of a black Honda Fit car. The vehicle was recovered in Dock Yard today.
These incidents remain under active investigation as the RTCIPF intensifies its efforts against criminal elements.
We are asking anyone with information that may help in these investigations 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.
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