News
New DMV System is Digitized and for some, frustrating
Dana Malcolm and Wilkie Arthur
Editorial Staff
#TurksandCaicos, February 1, 2024 – The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is pinning its hope for more seamless customer experience on a new digitized system that’s already been rolled out for residents.
Magnetic Media spoke to Fredrico Johnson, Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs on January 19 after multiple residents complained of extremely long wait times. What he showed Court Correspondent Wilkie Arthur, was a now completely digitized system and its potential hiccups.
Customers scan a barcode upon entry to the DMV office and are then taken to a signup website that allows them to take a virtual ticket. The customer is registered and added to the cue of waiting individuals. Thanks to text updates, residents can see exactly where they are in line and their estimated wait time.
Large flat screens display the current customer being served at the exact station.
“You can go, you can come back, you don’t have to stay here,” Johnson said of the system, which is designed for residents’ convenience. There is one problem showing the system down though.
“The problem we’re having with that is— [people] have access to the barcode so what they’re doing is signing in from home so you might see 96 [displayed] but 96 people aren’t actually here.”
In addition Johnson stressed that it was the typical busy season for the DMV and police officers were working the country’s roads resulting in tickets for those disobeying the road rules. All these factors contribute to the lengthy wait he said.
As for residents who were in office but left and missed their turns, the DMV is still working out a response to that issue.
Despite the kinks still needing to be ironed out, the Deputy Secretary maintained that this new electronic trafficking of new licenses and renewals has improved service already.
“I think it’s an upgrade from what we had, before people were crowding and then you had a lot of tension,” he continued “We are stress testing now to see the limitations of the system.”
And according to the Ministry of Home Affairs, it’s not just a new check in routine, other upgrades are coming.
“I’ll give you the end goal for the DMV; you being able to stay at home, apply for your renewal or whatever service; submit the documents and get it,” Johnson continued with a description of what officials are hoping to put in place.
“We’re just developing the system where we can cross reference with other ministries.”
This would help the DMV to virtually assess the validity of documents, as fraud is increasingly an issue.
“One of the things we’re looking into is how do we manage persons who got their licenses through fraudulent ways. You have a lot of persons that have drivers licenses and cannot speak English.”
Johnson maintained that internal investigations were ongoing and officers were empowered to question individuals and revoke licenses if the holder was not sufficiently skilled.
Despite the crowds which were evident during our visit, Johnson was eager for residents to know that the DMV is working towards a solution to make their experience much better. He maintains that the broader project, which was created under the National Delivery Unit, had not been rolled out elsewhere, but was instituted at the DMV to answer the high volume of processing the motoring public legally requires.
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
