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Six weeks to CCTV across Providenciales, says Police Commissioner

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#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos – Tuesday May 1, 2018 – Closed Circuit Television is weeks away from turning on for live broadcast in the Turks and Caicos Islands with the main goal being to prevent crime.

“You will see them very clearly, they are going to mounted poles that exist already. We may have to put one or two extra poles on but we have gone through a whole exercise to make sure we cover the entire country. This is the first phase so people shouldn’t expect to see new cameras in Grand Turk yet, but they will be there, they are a part of the second phase. We are working very closely with those who already have cameras to make sure we can plug into them and see areas that might not be covered by the new cameras. By and large, we will cover every major route, every major junction and some hot spots that we want to keep a close eye on.”

In less than two months, the Turks and Caicos Islands will go live with CCTV cameras all across the island of Providenciales; the landmark announcement came today from Police Commissioner James Smith who explained that the legal and physical infrastructure are both ready.

“Significantly to come is the introduction of the national CCTV system,” announced Commissioner James Smith who led a Police Press Conference today at the headquarters in Providenciales; he added, “The timeline we have to go live for the CCTV is mid-June. We have recruited new staff, the office has been refurbished and I fully expect that we will be operational soon.”

With concerns mounting globally about how much is too much when it comes to these public video surveillance systems, there had to be the appropriate legislation in place to support any information gathered and used for the purpose of police investigations and court trials.

“We have been very busy in terms of working with the Office of the Attorney General, the Director of Public Prosecutions and others on the introduction of significant new legislation in the country.”

Some 120 cameras will be installed across the country’s economic center, Providenciales, using fiber optic technology through DigicelTCI; Digicel was the successful winner of the project bid.

“You will have seen up and down the highway major works going on, on the side, that is to enable the laying of the fibre optics that is to enable that CCTV project. Along with the 911 Service, this will be based in a refurbished facility on Leeward Highway. I am pleased to say the 911 Service is also upgraded with new technology and equipment.”

From having the ability to zoom, pivot and capture images even at night; the Commissioner with other senior ranking officers, to media, explained that the surveillance video will be crystal clear and ideal to support criminal and traffic cases at trial.

“It is important for our road users particularly, to know that we will be placing a focus on the safety of our road and the management of those who use the roads. And I can confirm that Road Traffic legislation changes will be introduced to do the following to make them ticketable offences: driving or using a motor vehicle using a cellular phone, person travelling on a motor cycle or driving any other motor vehicle should not wear a helmet with a tinted visor, using a motor vehicle with defective direction indicators ; we will be making it mandatory of drivers to have with them at all time, drivers license and certificate of insurance and I think most importantly, we will be introducing the power to arrest of drivers of motor vehicles without a valid certificate of insurance.”

The CCTV system will eventually branch out to other islands of the Turks and Caicos and will be housed with the 911 Service, and will use four specially recruited 911 staffers as “special constables” to work the 24-7 monitoring system.

“The technology is very clever and I should mention that in the CCTV control room, we have an inspector on 24-7 duty and supported by the 911 Supervisor, the 911 staff and dedicated CCTV monitor people so that we can quickly switch our eyes to an area of concern and we will be better able to direct vehicles and officers to incidents so it should make a significant change to the way we react to stuff, the way we can prevent stuff but it will assist us to provide evidence in court.”

Another special event linked to the CCTV is imminent said Commissioner Smith; it will include private sector stakeholders which have supported the national security system upgrade.

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NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL STATEMENT REGARDING RECENT THREATS MADE AGAINST TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AIRPORTS AND SCHOOLS

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May 6th, 2024 – As co-chairs of the National Security Council, Her Excellency the Governor and the Honourable Premier condemn strongly recent threats made against Turks and Caicos Islands airports and schools.

We have zero tolerance for these disruptions and the alarm that they cause. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) continues to work closely with partner agencies and will keep the public updated as we manage the situation.

The National Security Council wishes to reassure residents, travellers and parents that the safety and security of our Islands is its highest priority.

All appropriate measures are being taken to address these threats and all required security protocols are being followed.

The Airports Authority and the Ministry of Education, with school principals are collaborating with the RTCIPF  investigations.

We encourage the public to be extra vigilant against phishing and malicious emails and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

We appreciate the understanding of the public as we work to ensure the safety and well-being of our airports, schools and communities.

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TCI News

Bomb Threat No 6. In TEN days

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer

“Our daughter is on the plane and they took them off the plane and we don’t know where the people are—she called— and we haven’t been able to get a hold of her since” the words of a panicked parent and one example of the chaos that criminals making malicious bomb threats on the Turks and Caicos’ airports are causing.

That parent was one of many residents waiting anxiously outside the Providenciales International Airport on Sunday, May 5th after Bomb threats were yet again filed against it; simultaneously threats were also made against the JAGS McCartney Airport in Grand Turk.

The couple, speaking to Wilkie  Arthur, Magnetic Media Court Correspondent,  were sitting in their car, the mother in tears, watching as travelers were made to disembark and leave the airport for their own safety.

We are told authorities cut a hole in airport fencing to quickly evacuate those who were on board aircraft on the runway at the time.

Arthur spoke to pilots who were frustrated at the delay.

”From our perspective, this flight is canceled.“ One of them told Arthur.

They expressed the same concern that other residents had shared with Magnetic Media, that it was time for the police to find the culprits behind the repeated threats which have turned out in all cases so far to be hoaxes.

Magnetic Media observed dozens of resident travelers mowing about on the tarmac and outside of the airport just waiting for police to finish their bomb threat protocol for the sixth time in 10 days.

The other threats came on Friday, April 26, Saturday, April 27, and Monday, April 29 (2) all via email.

Eventually, passengers were observed going back through security to reboard their  flights.

It’s the first time in six encounters that no word has come from the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority about the bomb threat, and when Arthur tried to approach the airport to film, he was told not to.

Based on eyewitness reports, several flights were delayed, including at least one international flight to Texas.

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Bahamas News

RBC appoints new Country Manager and Area Vice President for Turks & Caicos 

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RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited (“RBC”) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Kerryl-Lyn King-Henry as Country Manager and Area Vice President (“AVP”), Personal and Commercial Banking, Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

In her new role as Country Manager and AVP, King-Henry will take on full responsibility for the bank’s operations, strategy, and development in the TCI market, with a strong focus on solidifying partnerships with the Government, regulatory bodies, and the local community.

King-Henry brings to the role a dynamism influenced by nearly 25 years of industry experience. Prior to her new appointment, she served as AVP of Business Banking in Trinidad and Tobago. She has held progressively senior roles within both personal and commercial banking, as well as various functional units.

King-Henry holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, with a specialization in Leadership, FinTech and Big Data Analysis, in addition to a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Further enriching her professional profile, Kerryl-Lyn is a certified John C. Maxwell Coach, Trainer, Teacher, and Speaker. Her passion for leadership and development is matched by her commitment to community service, as she actively volunteers her time and leverages her professional expertise to mentor and support others. “

Kerryl-Lyn’s extensive experience and proven leadership capabilities make her the perfect choice to lead our operations in the Turks & Caicos Islands,” said Ericka Rolle, RBC’s Managing Director and Vice President, Personal Banking, The Bahamas and TCI.

“Her commitment to excellence, combined with a genuine passion for community engagement, aligns perfectly with our Bank’s purpose of helping clients thrive and communities prosper. We are excited to see the positive impact she will undoubtedly bring to her new role,” she added.

 

 

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