News
Drivers Want Money Back and demand Probe after DMV Court Ruling
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, August 14, 2023 – A mass of reactions continue to pour in after the verdict in a landmark case that will likely affect how driver’s licenses are distributed in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Ranging from anger to incredulity to gratitude, residents had a lot to say after Wilkie Arthur, TCI Resident took the DMV and the Attorney General’s Chambers to court following an attempt to force him to pay for 11 years of fees on his unrenewed license. Those fees were incurred while he was incarcerated and thus had no reason to renew his license. Arthur won the case.
“This department needs to be investigated. This department needs to be investigated thoroughly, somebody needs to go in there and see how far back this was done and somebody needs to be held accountable. I don’t care if it was ten years back. I don’t care who was in power. I don’t care who was the director. This is injustice.”
After publishing the ruling, the Magnetic Media team was inundated with public reaction, which largely expressed outrage at the ‘nonsense’ rule which has been enforced, as being the law, for years.
Some residents pointed out the illogical nature of the rule: “That man didn’t have a car so he was not driving, it’s as simple as that. Why would I renew my driver’s license if I don’t have a car?”, one resident asked.
Another resident agreed that the practice was an undue burden to residents: “Stop trying to kill the poor man. We don’t have money to back pay for licenses. If I didn’t have a license for 10 years that means I wasn’t driving. Now I have a car. I need my license, what sense is somebody going to renew their license if they don’t have a car? Stupid!”
Others said many had been victims of similar practices: “These are the kinds of things that are happening to us here but we are not as bold – These things are wrong! It’s treason that’s all I can say– If you’re going to lead a country, don’t bleed it,” chided one resident. 
Another resident celebrated: “These things have been going on for a long time and I am so happy that he (Wilkie) came out and pointed that out for us. Now everybody needs to go get their licenses and they can’t charge you a thing.”
DMV Director Wilbur explained during the hearing that currently TCI laws speak to the renewal of a driver’s license being back-dated to its date of expiration which was interpreted as including the annual fee. The interpretation of that law has affected Turks and Caicos Islanders for years as residents have found themselves facing large sums for renewal after extended periods, despite having legitimate reasons not to have paid the fees including illness, emigration, lack of a car, etc.
Some residents contended that the interpretation was just that, an interpretation made policy, but not truly law. Caley eventually admitted that there is no law governing the Department of Motor Vehicles that speaks specifically of back fees.
Residents expressed anger at this and called for criminal charges to be brought, citing all the residents who would have had to pay large amounts of cash over the years.
“How many people have you done this to?” one questioned. “That’s operating above the law.”
Another chimed in: “All those who have paid money before should request their money back from government.”
“I wish everybody could find their receipts— any department that made them do any back-paying, go and report it and get your money back.” It was a sentiment repeated by the majority of respondents over and over.
Others cautioned the government not to make the practice into a law and chided them for allowing policies like this to flourish.
“This is all common sense. You don’t know what’s good for your people or how to help your people or ease up some burdens. That’s what the people put you there for.”
“I want somebody to send this to the Attorney General’s office, from the top straight down you should be ashamed of yourselves!”, one resident said.
The government has not commented yet on how exactly this will alter how licenses are given out, but the court has made its position known, awarding the case to Arthur who is now going through the process of getting his license.
Wilkie Arthur
Court Correspondent
#TurksandCaicos, May 15, 2024 – It was an uneasy night on Tuesday May 14 for some residents of Five Cays, Providenciales owing to continuous, serious fire power with gun shots blaring in various areas of the community.
Some say they heard shots in Granny Hill and reported a man walking around with a gun, randomly shooting at unidentifiable targets. Some say shots were heard behind the Enid Capron Primary School. Some say they heard gun shot sounds coming from a residential area as well.
The most compelling accounts, however, were on reported events in another area called “The Wells”; a community in the depths of Five Cays and South Dock.
Criminals took on law enforcement in a gun battle involving the armored truck and a CID vehicle.
No members of the Royal TCI Police were hit.
Not the same for the other side. One person was hit, a young man not known to police and it’s not clear if he was one of the men shooting at the police or an innocently caught in the crossfire.
The man was arrested as a possible suspect. He is also in hospital with an “entrance and exit” gunshot wound.
During the shootout in The Wells, the CID vehicle was shot at repeatedly, disabling its movement as gunfire damaged the engine. Concerning to us, these shootings were at different times and locations but came in rapid succession; one right after the other, I was told.
Most described the sounds as coming “from some big guns.”
Police the morning after allowed me in to see up close.
Video, photos feature my EXCLUSIVE, close-up look at the damage done by criminals; it is clear high powered rifles were used by these suspects still at large.
Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Correspondent
#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – A gruesome discovery was made around midday today (Sunday, May 19th, 2024) when police and fire rescue teams responded to a call at a location on Blue Hills Back Road, off Millennium Highway. The area, situated next to the Fortis Sub-Station, is accessible via a long, secluded dirt road.
Upon arrival, authorities found a vehicle completely engulfed in flames. The vehicle was later removed by police after being alerted by
an anonymous source to its burnt-out location. Local residents indicated that the fire had been ignited around 2-3 a.m. earlier that morning, but authorities were not notified until later in the day.
Residents could not provide details about the individual inside the vehicle or even discern its color due to the extensive damage caused by the fire. Videos of the discovery location are available, but footage of the vehicle itself will be provided once it has been located. The vehicle was reportedly still burning when police arrived at the scene.
Official Royal TCI Police Report:
Media Release – May 19th, 2024: Active Investigation Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) are currently on the scene of a vehicle fire in the Blue Hills, Providenciales area. Acting on received information, officers arrived at the location along North Side Close and discovered a burnt vehicle with what appeared to be a body inside.
The RTCIPF is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances of this incident. As this is an active investigation, more details will be provided to the public as they become available.
May 21, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands have clear laws prohibiting the possession of firearms and or ammunition without a licence and strict penalties in order to serve and protect the community. Our Firearms Ordinance, which was amended in 2022, states that:
No person (other than a licensed gunsmith in the course of his trade) shall have in his possession, discharge or use any firearm or ammunition unless he is the holder of a firearm licence with respect to such firearm, or in case of ammunition he is the holder of a licence for a firearm which takes that ammunition.
Firearm and/or ammunition offences carry a mandatory minimum custodial sentence of twelve years plus a fine. Where a court finds there are exceptional circumstances, the sentencing judge has discretion, under the law, to impose a custodial sentence and a fine that are fair and just in the circumstances of each case rather than impose the mandatory minimum.
The Chief Justice is advancing sentencing guidelines in respect of the application of exceptional circumstances. Wider work is also ongoing with criminal justice partners to review the efficiency and effectiveness of case progression, in driving justice outcomes.
It is the traveller’s responsibility to ensure their baggage is free of firearms and/or ammunition. Permission from an airline carrier does not constitute permission to bring firearms or ammunition into the Turks and Caicos Islands. Travellers are also strongly advised to search their luggage before they travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands to ensure they do not bring in forbidden items inadvertently. Such offences will result in arrest.
The Turks and Caicos Islands is a British Overseas Territory with a common law legal system, and reserves the right to enforce its laws. All persons, including visitors, must follow lawful process.
The Turks and Caicos Islands welcomes all visitors but reminds travellers that persons in the Turks and Caicos Islands do not have a constitutional right to carry firearms. Equally, the importation of firearms, ammunition (including stray bullets), and other weapons is strictly forbidden, unless licence to do so has been issued by the Commissioner of Police.
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