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Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) Calls for Community Unity in Face of Staggering Crime Rates

Published

2 years ago

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BEGINS

Providenciales, Turks & Caicos, March 7th, 2024 – The Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) expresses grave concern over the surge in brazen murders and associated crimes that has resulted in an alarming statistic for the country, leaving residents and visitors distraught and irreversibly affected. This wave of violence has prompted the organization to address this urgent issue that threatens the safety of residents and jeopardizes the reputation of Turks and Caicos as a premier travel destination.

For the second time in a two-year period, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), responsible for the country’s internal security, has deployed assistance to Turks and Caicos on the heels of requests from the Governor and Premier. While the aid is promising and necessary, tackling crime in any country requires a systemic approach if the root issues are to be successfully penetrated.

Considering the country’s unbelievable murder count and brazen shootings at resorts, heavily populated eateries, and near daytime school events, these harrowing statistics demand the urgent attention and collaborative efforts of the government, law enforcement, the church, and the community at large. The TCHTA believes that timely intelligence from the community is crucial in combating crime and is appealing to residents to do their part by actively participating in efforts to make our neighborhoods safer.

TCHTA President, James McAnally, reiterated the call for a united front against crime, saying, “Our islands have always been known for hospitality and safety. It is the very essence of Turks and Caicos and its people and is the reason the world has fallen in love with our destination. The surge in criminal activities threatens to destroy that image, and we hope to see another aggressive crime clean-up initiative in the immediate future which we will eagerly lend our assistance to.”

The TCHTA is extending its condolences and prayers to everyone affected and mourns the loss of these precious lives. The organization says the unfortunate incident on March 6th where a resident was hit by a stray bullet is further proof that crime is everybody’s business.

“We are eager to do our part along with community leaders, educators, and other non-profit organizations, and do whatever necessary to save our communities from continued loss and heartbreak,“ shared Stacy Cox, TCHTA CEO. She continued, “Crime at this level requires a no-nonsense approach and positive police-community relations. We urge the public to work with authorities and provide information that can assist in solving crimes. It will take all of us working together to ensure the safety of our residents and our visitors. We cannot stand by and allow our neighbourhoods to be overrun and robbed of our young men – our future leaders.”

Through its People Development Committee, the organization is actively engaged with the Ministry of Education in its “Reaching the Streets” program, an initiative which focuses on multi-sector intervention against violence and aims to equip individuals with strategies to mitigate the impact of gun violence and influence troubled youths to make positive choices.

“There are so many outstanding programs at no cost that we want our communities to take advantage of,” expressed Cox. The TCHTA says it is imperative that young people have healthy channels to deter their interest in the allure of risky and criminal behaviour, and encourages parents to take advantage of these outlets:

• Edward Gartland Youth Centre
• TCI Football Association (TCIFA)
• Sports Commission
• Ministry of Education (Five Cays Community Center)
• Junior Achievement
• Church Youth Groups

As an essential element of the Turks and Caicos economic landscape, tourism in the country relies heavily on safe communities. Considering the events of March 5th, the TCHTA is emphasizing the importance of managing the destination’s reputation to visitors and ensuring residents feel secure in their own neighbourhoods and workplaces. The country is encouraged to continue its long tradition of parents being parents to all, and communities being a place where everyone is ‘their neighbour’s keeper’.

The organization commends the RTCIPF on its Community Policing initiative and is highlighting the new crime tips app announced by Crimestoppers Turks and Caicos – P3. The app allows anyone with a tip to share securely and anonymously, with no requests for name, address or contact information. These tips go directly to Miami Dade Crimestoppers and the TCHTA is appealing to all residents to allay their hesitations and make use of the tools available.

The association has long been a staunch supporter of local law enforcement and community initiatives, contributing financially to various programs aimed at crime prevention and community welfare, including donations to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) for equipment and training.

The TCHTA continues to pledge its commitment to being active partners with law enforcement and local government agencies and has consistently met with authorities at various levels to assist in devising strategies and interventions aimed at reducing crime rates and boosting public safety.

“In our ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety of our communities, we have proactively supported efforts that emphasize preventing crimes through intelligence gathering, proactive monitoring, and the questioning and interruption of criminal activities before they are carried out,” stated McAnally. “We firmly believe that through our collaborative efforts with the authorities we can make a substantial impact in combating crime and safeguarding our beloved islands.”

The Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association believes that through collective effort and community unity, the current challenges can be overcome, and the islands restored to the peaceful haven they are known to be. The TCHTA implores the public to join hands with the authorities in the fight against crime, ensuring a secure and prosperous future for Turks and Caicos.

ENDS

About Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA)
The Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for the tourism industry in Turks and Caicos. With a mission to promote, protect, and enhance the tourism sector, TCHTA works collaboratively with government bodies, businesses, and the community to ensure the sustainable growth and prosperity of the islands.

Media Contact
Omega Simmons
s.omega@turksandcaicoshta.com
(649) 331-8917

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Caribbean News

Bermuda Shaken by Targeted Murder as Crime Returns After a Decade of Calm

Published

2 days ago

on

September 21, 2025

By

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

 

Bermuda is reeling after the brazen murder of 37-year-old Janae Minors, a mother of two, who was gunned down in her own beauty supply store on Court Street, Pembroke. The attack, which police describe as “targeted,” has rattled the island, not only for its brutality but for what it says about the state of law and order in a country that less than a decade ago was celebrating a dramatic fall in violent crime.

The Attack on Court Street

According to police, at approximately 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16, a lone gunman pulled up on a stolen black motorcycle, walked into the Beauty Monster shop Minors owned, and shot her multiple times. Despite the rapid response of emergency services, she succumbed to her injuries shortly after being transported to hospital.

Detectives say the killer was thin, tall, dressed in dark clothing with a full-face helmet, and wearing bright gloves. CCTV shows him fleeing north on Court Street, down Tills Hill toward TCD, before turning onto Marsh Folly Road. Investigators are pursuing all leads, with a focus on recovering evidence from nearby cameras and eyewitness accounts.

Police Commissioner Darrin Simons confirmed the attack bore the hallmarks of gang-related violence, a chilling indicator that Bermuda’s gang rivalries — long simmering beneath the surface — may once again be spilling into broad daylight.

A Vibrant Life Cut Short

Minors, remembered as a hardworking entrepreneur with “a vibrant, beautiful personality,” leaves behind two children, ages 16 and 18. Her murder has ignited outrage across Bermuda, not just for its senselessness but for its timing: the island had once prided itself on virtually stamping out gun violence.

Then: Near-Zero Murders

Back in 2014, Bermuda made international headlines for reporting zero firearm murders — a remarkable achievement given the small island had endured a spate of gang-related shootings in the early 2010s. Police credited intelligence-led operations, tighter firearms interdictions, and aggressive prosecutions of gang leaders. Community programs and mentoring initiatives also played a role, giving at-risk youth alternatives to gang life.

By 2015 and 2016, gun crime was at historic lows. That period was hailed as proof Bermuda could beat back the tide of violence with coordinated policing, social investment, and political will.

Now: Alarming Resurgence

Fast forward nine years, and the picture looks starkly different. In 2024 and 2025, Bermuda has recorded a rise in gun-related deaths. Rival gangs such as Parkside and 42 have resurged, fueled by a new generation of recruits. Economic pressures, high youth unemployment, and the easy flow of smuggled firearms through maritime routes have undermined earlier gains.

Community trust in the police has also eroded, making investigations harder and retaliations more likely. Opposition MPs and neighborhood leaders warn that without sustained focus, Bermuda risks sliding back into the violent cycles of the early 2010s.

Public Alarm and Political Pressure

Premier David Burt condemned Minors’ killing as “an escalation of community violence that cannot be tolerated,” promising stronger enforcement and deeper engagement with residents. The Bermuda Police Service has appealed for CCTV, dashcam, and doorbell footage from the area, urging residents that even the smallest detail could break the case.

Yet among the public, frustration is growing. People remember the calm of 2014 — when zero murders were recorded — and cannot understand how the island has returned to headlines dominated by gun violence. The contrast is stark: from celebrating the elimination of gun murders to confronting the targeted execution of a businesswoman in broad daylight.

A Test for Bermuda’s Future

The murder of Janae Minors has become more than a single case; it is now a symbol of Bermuda’s struggle to hold on to the progress it once made. The question facing the island is whether the successes of a decade ago can be replicated and sustained in today’s harsher climate of economic pressure and gang rivalries.

For Minors’ family, nothing can erase the tragedy of losing a mother and daughter so violently. But for Bermuda at large, her death is a wake-up call — that the island cannot afford complacency when it comes to crime.

As one community leader put it: “Nine years ago, we had beaten this. Now, we’re back to fearing what happens when the sun goes down. That is not the Bermuda we want to live in.”

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Crime

Two Injured in Sunday Blue Hills Shootings

Published

4 weeks ago

on

August 29, 2025

By

Magnetic Media & Eagle Legal News

 

Turks and Caicos, August 29, 2025 – A quiet Sunday afternoon in Blue Hills was shattered on August 24 when bursts of gunfire erupted along Front Street, leaving two people injured and sparking renewed fears in the community.

According to Eagle Legal News Media, residents reported hearing a barrage of bullets around 3:30 p.m., forcing people to run for cover. Videos from the crime scene later showed more than two dozen evidence markers scattered across the roadway, documenting the scale of the attack.

At least two individuals were struck by gunfire, though police sources said their injuries were not considered life-threatening. The victims were treated at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, where emergency services were briefly disrupted as staff responded to the influx of casualties.

The spray of bullets also damaged property. A small black Japanese car had its window blown out, while a truck parked nearby bore visible bullet holes.

The shooting came on the very same day that senior police and national security officials had gathered for a special church service in Providenciales, where prayers were offered for peace and protection across the islands. Just hours later, residents of Blue Hills were ducking for cover as bullets tore through their community.

The attack also followed weeks of heightened restrictions. Though Blue Hills had only recently emerged from a community-wide curfew, neighboring Five Cays remained under emergency restrictions until August 26. Additional late-night rules — including 2 a.m. closures for businesses and a ban on after-hours alcohol sales — remain in place following the July 27 Hookah Lounge mass shooting that killed four people.

Police cordoned off Front Street during their investigation, but as of press time, no arrests had been announced.

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Crime

Police Seize Rifle and Ammunition in Blue Hills, 2025 Marked by Guns and Drug Arrests

Published

1 month ago

on

August 22, 2025

By

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos — August 22, 2025 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) has recovered a high-powered rifle and more than 250 rounds of ammunition following a targeted operation in the Blue Hills community of Providenciales.

According to police, officers from the Tactical Unit and the Criminal Investigations Division acted on intelligence and searched an open area where they discovered the weapon, 255 assorted rounds, and firearm accessories. No arrests were made. The investigation is continuing.

This seizure adds to a string of police actions in 2025 against guns and narcotics.

On March 27, officers executed a warrant at a residence in Pete Court, Kew Town. Police say they discovered several bags of suspected cannabis and tablets believed to be methamphetamine. A 58-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply.

In July, the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force intercepted two separate narcotics shipments under Operation Transit Shed. More than 26 kilograms of cannabis and other drugs, with an estimated street value of over US $260,000, were seized. The contraband had been vacuum-sealed and hidden in boxes with detergent odors to mask the smell.

Days later, the country faced its first mass shooting when gunmen opened fire at a nightclub in Providenciales. Three people were killed and ten others injured. No arrests have been reported. Police are offering a US $10,000 reward for information leading to those responsible.

Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey has urged the public to cooperate with investigations, while Premier Charles Washington Misick described the surge in gun violence as a serious threat to the nation’s security.

Residents are being encouraged to report illegal activity by calling 911, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, or using the P3 app.

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