TCI News

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

Published

3 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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Crime

Shooting Incident

Published

3 days ago

July 23, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

***MEDIA RELEASE***

July 23^rd, 2024.

Around 10:59 am, the Police Control Room received a call of gunshots at a location along the Millennium Highway, Providenciales.

Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force were dispatched and, based on preliminary investigations, were told that the occupant (s) of a red Suzuki Swift was at a business place when another car pulled alongside it, and the occupants started shooting.

The driver of the Swift drove off while the other unidentified vehicle sped off in a separate direction.

Officers found the Swift abandoned near Miracle Close, Blue Hills, shortly after.

Based on investigations, no injuries were reported.

This remains an active investigation.

The RT&CIPF is asking anyone with information or CCTV footage of the shooting that may assist the police with enquiries to contact 911, the closest police station, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 and anonymously give any information.

Additionally, persons are being asked to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app.

News

Twelve Officers Sworn In

Published

3 days ago

July 23, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

***MEDIA RELEASE***

July 23^rd, 2024.

There are twelve new officers within the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.

The officers—Ronn James, Ernie Henry, Aron Charlery, Andrew Ottley, Emmanuel Dabreo, Damion Clarke, Jeffrey Kaye, Roan Waugh, Shan Livermore, Kemar Chambers, Michael Campbell, and Ajay Budhai—took an oath to protect and serve the citizens of the Turks and Caicos Islands yesterday (July 22nd) afternoon at Police Headquarters, Providenciales.

Commissioner of Police Edvin Martin, who administered the officers’ oath, said, “Thank you for choosing the TCI. It will not be a bed of roses. Policing requires hard work, and you ensure our communities are safe. Your arrival was anticipated and highly overdue.

“You are now officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, and you are committed to the safety of the people of these archipelagoes. We must lead by example and not let our guard down. Stand firm on the foundation of our motto- Service With Pride and Integrity. Integrity is doing the right thing in the absence of anyone watching.”

The President of the Christian Council, Pastor Wilbert Jennings, delivered the opening prayer and told officers to always call on God in their time of need.

Deputy Commissioner Rodney Adams, Assistant Commissioner Kendall Grant, acting Assistant Commissioner Mat Newton, Chairman of the Police Welfare Association Sgt. Jepson Victor and Human Resources Manager Rex Swann also attended the ceremony.

Crime

Male Charged with Theft and Handling Stolen Goods

Published

3 days ago

July 23, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

***MEDIA RELEASE***

July 23^rd,2024.

A 23-year-old male from the Bight, Providenciales, has been charged with the theft of a boat.

CHANDELER JOSEPH is expected to appear before a Magistrate next week to answer the following charges:

Two Counts of Theft
Two Counts of Handling Stolen Goods

The charges against Mr. Joseph followed a report of a stolen boat in the Turtle Cove district on July 19^th,2024.

Inquiries were conducted shortly after Mr Joseph was arrested and subsequently charged.

The RTCIPF is asking anyone with information on illegal activities that may assist the police with enquiries to contact 911, the closest police station, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 and anonymously give any information.

Additionally, persons are being asked to download the CrimeStoppers P3 app.