TCI News

No safe passage; a sinister Jitney Attack as women reports being raped for days

Published

8 months ago

May 12, 2024

Shanieka

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

The Turks and Caicos courts will soon have the task of trying a convicted sex officer, this time accused of raping a woman repeatedly after posing as a jitney driver; again raising the issue of the need for safe transport locally.

Elvethan Handfield was refused bail when he appeared in the Magistrates Court on April 29. He had spent at least 13 years in prison on a rape conviction and is now accused of picking his latest victim under the guise of being a jitney or unlicensed taxi driver.

The defendant claims she got into the vehicle instructing him to take her to Dock Yard on April 19. Instead, Handfield is accused of driving her to a home, forcing her inside at knifepoint where he proceeded to rape her and record his actions over the course of two days (April 19 – 20).

Jitneys abound in the Turks and Caicos, they’re unmarked, unlicensed, and driven by often unknown individuals with no legal authority to be ferrying passengers. With no formal process of vetting, all a potential predator would need is a car to appear as one of these drivers, and he could strike.

Since the beginning of the year at least three women have reported attacks from men posing as jitney drivers, leading to a safety bulletin being issued by police in February.

Despite this, the business of jitney driving is still operational, thriving even, because they fill a gap for the community, left open by the lack of secure, dependable, government-sanctioned transport.

When we spoke to Wilbur Caley, Head of the Department of Motor Vehicles, to find out how many Community Cabs were licensed to operate currently, he told us this.

“From recollection, there are about seven licensed.”

It’s a disappointingly low number and tracks with what Wilkie Arthur, Magnetic Media Court Correspondent, observes on the streets daily “I don’t think they’re readily accessible,” Arthur said of the community cabs. “I would comfortably say 98 percent of the population is using illegal jitneys.”

The ‘community cabs’ were a government-sanctioned solution to jitneys and TCIG had hoped residents would take the opportunity to join the fleet of white and blue sedans, touted to provide safe, clean, and accessible travel. But it hasn’t worked that way. The number of registered community cabs still is far lower than the number of jitneys.

“The uptake for these types of licenses is very, very low. A number of individuals have expressed interest however they are reluctant because they say they don’t want or can’t compete with the illegal jitneys,” Caley explained.

Technically, as the DMV head pointed out, jitneys are illegal but the gray area of necessity vs law has created a space for them and in that murk, predators are hiding.

In the past several years both adults and school children have suffered at the hands of vulturine men using their position as drivers to assault.

Even tourists who usually get ferried by designated taxis have reported abuse at the hands of jitneys angering legitimate taxi drivers who say they’re shouldering the blame for the actions of a wholly separate group.

It’s now up to the government to breathe new life into the Community Cab initiative and populate the country’s roads with clean, safe, traceable vehicles rather than leave travelers at risk.

Related Topics:#magneticmedianews #MagneticNewsMedia

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Government

TCI POST CABINET MEETING STATEMENT – 11 DECEMBER 2024

Published

15 hours ago

January 20, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Turks and Caicos, January 20, 2025 – Her Excellency the Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam chaired the 41^st meeting of Cabinet held on December 11^th, 2024. All members of Cabinet were present with the exception of Hon. Rhondalee Knowles, Attorney General, with Ms. Khalila Astwood acting as Attorney General.

At this meeting Cabinet:

Considered proposals related to the 2022 Crown Land Review Report.
Approved the mutation of parcels 60603/57, 60610/316, 60700/107, and 20313/47, 58 & 59 and for the same to be vested with the TCI Airports Authority.
Received a presentation on proposals on the integration of Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) technologies into programs at the Turks and Caicos Community College.
Approved the management authority of parcel 60503/315 to the Turks & Caicos Islands Sports Commission for multi-purpose use for the development of a community park and recreational facility.
Received a presentation from the Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission on the establishment of a National Sports Training Centre.
Received a presentation from the Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission regarding the establishment of a Department of Parks and Recreation.
Received a presentation from the Ministry of Health on matters relating to the National Health Insurance Board.
Approved the re-appointment of Mrs. Angela Musgrove as the Chief Executive Officer of Invest Turks and Caicos for a three-year term.
Approved the appointment of Mr. Henry Wilson as a member to the Fisheries Advisory Committee.
Noted the award of the following contracts in line with the process according to the provisions of the Public Procurement Ordinance; Contract Award Notification:

PN 005690, TR 24/09, Upgrading Bight Park
PN 005729, TR 24/23, Vehicles for Immigration

PN 005730, TR 24/08, DDME Communication Equipment – Mobile Antenna

PN 005765, TR 24/31, Redevelopment of Regatta Village
TCINIB 01/2024, TR 24/26, Vehicles for NIB

Further information on these matters will be presented by Ministers in due course.

Government

TCI POST CABINET MEETING STATEMENT – 4TH DECEMBER 2024

Published

15 hours ago

January 20, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Turks and Caicos – Her Excellency the Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam chaired the 40^th meeting of Cabinet held on December 4^th, 2024. All members of Cabinet were present, with the exception of Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier and Hon. Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles, Attorney General, with Ms. Khalila Astwood, acting as Attorney General.

At this meeting Cabinet:

Approved the Turks and Caicos Islands Fiscal Strategic Policy Statement.
Approved the negotiation of a Development Agreement/Order with Retreat Development Ltd.
Approved the transfer of excess revenue from the Consolidated Fund into the National Wealth Fund for the Financial Year Ending 31 March 2024.
Approved Planning Application PR 17673 for a proposed watch tower and rest station on block and parcel 60000/345 for the TCI Regiment.
Approved the negotiation of a license agreement with the Proprietors of Balfour Salt Ltd. for a period of 10 years.
Approved the policy document for the use of Biometrics and Introducing an Electronic Travel Authority Requirement.
Approved the appointment of Mr. Lynden Hall Snr. as a member of the Turks and Caicos Islands Gaming Control Commission Board for a period of two years.
Approved the write-off of water charges and penalties in accordance with Section 52 of the Public Financial Management Ordinance 2012.

Further information on these matters will be presented by Ministers in due course.

News

Collaborative Operational Training for RT&CIPF Officers

Published

16 hours ago

January 20, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Turks and Caicos, 20th January, 2025 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) and the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) have recently bolstered their strategic partnership through a specialized initiative to enhance operational capabilities in combating criminal activity across the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI).

As part of this collaboration, RTCIPF Tactical Unit officers underwent advanced helicopter tactical rescue specialist training in the Bahamas. Delivered by DEA agents and their Tactical Helicopter Section, the training equipped officers with critical skills to deploy rapidly from helicopters, addressing challenges in TCI’s remote and difficult-to-access areas.

Following the intensive four-day program, Superintendent Jason James, head of the RTCIPF Tactical Unit, highlighted the initiative’s importance: “This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our communities. The helicopter fast rope specialist training has enabled our officers to respond swiftly and effectively to criminal threats, no matter where they arise across the TCI.

“The partnership with the DEA under Op BAT underscores our shared dedication to preventing and detecting criminal activities, including drug trafficking and organized crime. This effort strengthens the RTCIPF’s operational capacity and contributes to a robust, multi-agency approach to professional law enforcement.”

DEA representatives commended the RTCIPF’s proactive measures: “The Turks and Caicos Islands are a vital partner in the fight against transnational crime. Through this joint effort, we are enhancing the capability of local forces to protect their citizens and disrupt criminal networks.”

Acting Assistant Commissioner (Specialist Operations) Mat Newton also acknowledged the critical role of international partnerships: “As a Force, we remain dedicated to employing innovative strategies and fostering global alliances to ensure the islands’ safety. This is the first wave of training with the DEA and represents a key element of our fight against organized crime. Many thanks to the DEA for this opportunity.”

The strengthened partnership between the RTCIPF and the DEA marks a significant step in enhancing the TCI’s capacity to combat complex criminal activities and maintain public safety.

#PartnershipsMatter #safertci

Courtesy of RTCIPF Facebook