News
ISU Strengthens Foundation for Addressing Informal Settlements in 2025
Turks and Caicos, May 5, 2026 – The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU) is now better positioned to advance a more targeted and coordinated response to informal settlements across the Turks and Caicos Islands, supported by key findings and progress outlined in its 2025 Annual Report.
Building on foundational work undertaken since its establishment in 2023, the Unit has significantly strengthened its data collection,
mapping, and enforcement capabilities, establishing a clearer national picture of informal settlement activity and creating the conditions for more informed, evidence-based interventions.
Central to this progress has been the expansion of the ISU’s data-driven initiatives. Through the continued rollout of the Social Needs Assessment Survey, the Unit has advanced the collection of critical socio-economic data to better understand the conditions, needs, and characteristics of informal settlement communities. By year’s end in 2025, the ISU would have completed data collection in twelve sites, and commenced collection in a further fifteen, supporting the development of a growing evidence base to inform policy, planning, and service delivery.
This work has been complemented by significant advancements in GIS mapping, which remains a core pillar of the Unit’s operations. The ISU has now completed the first full cycle of mapping across all fifty-one identified informal settlement sites nationwide, establishing an official baseline of settlement locations, structure counts, and land occupation footprints. A second cycle of mapping is also underway, with thirty sites already remapped to support comparative analysis and ongoing monitoring. In total, the mapping programme has identified 6,065 structures across these sites, providing critical spatial intelligence to guide both enforcement and long-term planning efforts.
At the operational level, monitoring and containment activities have continued to scale through coordinated action with the Crown Land Unit and Planning Department. Enforcement efforts have resulted in the removal of 495 illegal structures in 2025 alone, bringing the total number of structures removed since the Unit’s inception in 2023 to 830. These actions have contributed to the reclamation of approximately 44.6 acres of land and reflect a sustained and structured approach to addressing unauthorised occupation.
In parallel, the ISU has continued to advance preparatory work to support long-term solutions. This includes progress in housing and urban
development planning through site analyses and conceptual designs, as well as ongoing legal and policy development. Key outputs include draft legislative advice for the development of tenure regularization frameworks, and support for infrastructure regularization planning.
Public education, stakeholder engagement, and community outreach remained central to the Unit’s approach in 2025. Key initiatives included the rollout of the ISU Youth Outreach Programme, as well as expanded engagement across informal settlement communities through Community Caravans in North Stubbs Creek Point and Silverado Wells in Providenciales and at the Parade Grounds in Grand Turk. The Unit also executed its inaugural Holiday Cheer Caravan, distributing toys and treat bags to children across seven informal settlement sites in the Five Cays and Blue Hills areas. Together with strengthened stakeholder relationships, these efforts supported greater awareness of the ISU’s mandate and fostered collaboration across sectors.
The progress captured in the 2025 Annual Report reflects a critical phase in the ISU’s development, marked by the establishment of strong data systems, expanded operational reach, and closer alignment between analysis, enforcement, and policy. This foundation is expected to support a gradual transition toward more targeted, evidence-based interventions as the Unit continues its work throughout 2026.
Photo Caption: Insert: La Torture Reclamation
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
