From Clarendon to Turks and Caicos: Commissioner Fitz Bailey Given Expanded Powers to Tackle Crime Surge

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — A year ago, Fitz Bailey was charged with overseeing a crime crackdown in Clarendon, Jamaica, where a devastating surge in violence—including the tragic deaths of children—prompted the imposition of stringent curfews and extraordinary police operations.

At the time, Bailey, then a Deputy Commissioner of Police in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), told the public:

“We have deployed additional resources to maintain order, provide support to the victims’ families and ensure the community’s safety… We are working tirelessly to identify the perpetrators and their motives.”

That crackdown, backed by Jamaica’s full security apparatus—from the Jamaica Defence Force to anti-gang units—led to a 39% reduction in homicides in Clarendon. It was praised as a rare success in a region often overwhelmed by organized crime.

Now, one year later, Commissioner Bailey has been granted similar authority in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

In the aftermath of a deadly mass shooting at a hookah lounge in Providenciales—the worst in TCI’s history—Bailey has been formally empowered to use extraordinary police powers under sweeping new amendments to the Disaster Management Act and other national security laws.

Drastic but Deliberate Measures

Effective July 31, the following have been approved:

• The Commissioner of Police can now advise the Governor to declare specific locations as Disaster Zones due to crime or public disorder—triggering curfews, restricted movement, and business hour limitations.
• Liquor curfews are now enforced island-wide: midnight closure Sunday to Thursday, 2:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday, with no exemptions for 90 days.
• New laws will authorize:
  • Warrantless searches
  • Cordon-and-search zones
  • Temporary curfews in high-crime areas
  • Legal protections for officers acting in good faith during high-risk engagements

The Premier and Cabinet have also agreed to:

• Conduct a full review of the liquor licensing regime, imposing mandatory police vetting and security checks on all establishments.
• Crack down on underage access to alcohol, with stricter penalties and enforcement.
• Eradicate illegal informal settlements, especially those harboring criminal activity.
• Accelerate a Safe City Technology Strategy, deploying CCTV, smart lighting, and connected traffic policing systems across Providenciales and beyond.

The Why: A Wake-Up Call

These new authorities come amid a wave of high-profile violence—gang-linked murders, arsons, and mass shootings—that have shaken public trust in TCI’s ability to maintain order. For many, the July 27 massacre was the tipping point.

Premier Washington Misick, in a national address, made the stakes clear:

“We will leave no stone unturned and no safe haven for those who betray this country… This moment will become a turning point in our nation’s story.”

Imported Strategy, Local Application

Bailey’s playbook—crafted in Jamaica under fire—is now TCI’s frontline defense. Civil liberties may be curbed, but the message from leadership is clear: public order is not negotiable.

Whether these measures lead to a Clarendon-style turnaround or face greater resistance remains to be seen. But the days of soft handling are done. Commissioner Fitz Bailey has been handed the keys—and the country is watching what he does next.