TCI News
TCI National Security Council Meeting held on October 18th, 2018
#Providenciales, October 25, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – His Excellency the Governor, Dr John Freeman, and the Hon. Premier, Mrs Sharlene Cartwright Robinson, co-chaired a meeting of the TCI National Security Council (NSC) on Thursday, 18 October 2018, at the Hon. Hilly Ewing Building in Providenciales.
In attendance as members of the NSC were the Hon. Deputy Premier, the Hon. Attorney General and the Commissioner of Police.
At this meeting the NSC:
- Received up-dates from the Commissioner of Police on:
– The latest crime statistics for the first six months of the year to end-September 2018 which showed that overall crime had fallen by 30% compared to the previous year. Robberies and incidents involving firearms were down by 42% and 68% respectively although the number of murders had risen from three to seven for the same period;
– Collaboration with other Overseas Territory Police Forces to establish a Digital Forensic facility to improve detection and provision of evidence before the courts;
– The new 911/CCTV Unit in Providenciales which was now fully operational and proving very effective. An Invitation to Tender (ITT) notice would issue shortly to install CCTV on Grand Turk;
– Digital police radios had been extended to Grand Turk and would be rolled out to the other islands to improve police communication coverage across the islands;
– Concerns about the number of vehicles on TCI roads without number plates. The Hon. Premier highlighted that the Road Safety Department had a plentiful supply of number plates in stock and that a notice needed to be issued to instruct the public to acquire plates for their vehicles;
– Initiatives with the local community to remove guns from the streets of TCI. The Hon. Premier briefed the NSC on work that she was involved in to encourage people to hand in their guns;
– The arrival of new police vehicles by the end of October.
- Received an update from the Deputy Premier on:
– A significant decrease in the number of illegal sloops attempting to reach TCI since the radar was repaired. Immigration officers were on heightened alert at this time of year and in the light of recent reports of unrest in Haiti;
– An invitation to the Bahamas authorities to visit TCI to discuss possible co-operation to address illegal migration to TCI;
– An improvement in visa processes resulting in a significant reduction in the number of visas issued and applications being submitted. Malpractice in the Ministry was being tackled and a clampdown on improper activity enforced;
– Measures with the police to enhance co-operation and the effectiveness of Operation Guardian;
– Measures under consideration to introduce national identity cards in TCI.
- In the absence of the Minister of Home Affairs, received an up-date from the Hon. Premier on the situation at HM Prison including on:
– The recruitment of a new Superintendent and additional prison officers;
– Current staffing issues;
– The arrival of a new Training Manager to raise levels of officer professionalism and performance;
– Plans to improve existing infrastructure including the building of a new accommodation block.
- The Commissioner of Policeintroduced the draft National Security Strategy (NSS). The NSC agreed that the Strategy had to encompass activity by all relevant departments and stakeholders, not just the police, and that their views would be sought to feed in to a revised version of the Strategy. The multi-agency Joint Law Enforcement Team (JLET) will be the body responsible for delivering the NSS reporting to the NSC.
- The Hon. Premierinformed the NSC that a letter of entrustment had been requested from the UK Government to enable TCI to sign the instrument of accession to the Memorandum of Understanding for intelligence sharing among Member States of CARICOM which is necessary for TCI’s participation in the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) database of passenger information to be shared between CARICOM Member States and the United States.
Press Release: TCIG
Turks and Caicos, October 28, 2025 – We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours for their safety and well-being
We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands. Current projections indicate that Hurricane Melissa will begin to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands around midday tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th October.
This morning, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting. All Government agencies and critical services are mobilised. The safety and protection of every person across our Islands remains our highest priority. Our emergency response teams are prepared and the TCI Regiment is deployed across each of our Islands to support community readiness and immediate response. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are on active duty, with additional officers in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.
At this time, the hurricane is moving north-northeast. The country is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and
significant storm surge. The storm surge poses a serious concern for low-lying coastal areas especially along our western and southern coastlines, which may result in coastal flooding. Based on the most current weather projections and anticipated impacts for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Executive have agreed the following actions:
1. Evacuation Advisories
Residents in specific low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas are likely to experience significant storm surge of 2-4 feet with accompanying rainfall. Strong advice is now place for residents in these areas to relocate to designated shelters which will be open from 4pm this afternoon. These areas include:
Middle Caicos
- Conch Bar Nearest Shelter: The Community Centre
North Caicos
- Sandy Point Nearest Shelter : Sandy Point Community Centre
- Whitby Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
- Bottle Creek Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
Providenciales
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- Chalk Sound Nearest Shelter Enid Capron Primary School
- Five Cays Nearest Shelter: Enid Capron Primary School
- Discovery Bay Nearest Shelter: All Saints Church, Leeward Highway
- Juba Sound Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
- Long Bay Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
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South Caicos
- Cockburn Harbour Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
- Old Airport Road Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be issued following the 6:00 PM Advisory this evening from the TCI National Weather Service.
2. Activation of Emergency Operations Centre
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales and all Islands Emergency Operations Centres will be activated at 4:00 PM today.
3. Shelters Access
Shelters across all Islands will open today at 4:00 PM to receive members of the public.
4. Shelter-in-Place
A Strong Shelter-in-Place Advisory is in place for all islands, commencing at 10:00 PM tonight. This will be in place until the all clear has been issued.
This means that from 10:00 PM tonight, all residents should be off the road, in a safe location, either at home or a designated shelter.
Please note that this position may be revised following the 6:00 PM Advisory from the TCI National Weather Service, depending on updated storm projections.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has confirmed that all airports remain fully operational for today. They will advise the public about ongoing operations dependent on the weather impacts.
In times such as this, the role of commercial entities extends beyond business – it becomes a vital part of the community’s resilience. All retailers and service providers are urged to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities by maintaining fair pricing and ensuring essential goods and services remain accessible to all.
Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to all official advisories and evacuation orders as they are issued. Avoid unnecessary movement, secure your property, and ensure that you and your family are prepared with essential supplies. Stay prepared and stay safe.
Turks and Caicos, October 24, 2025 – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered an impassioned address to male students at Clement Howell High School, calling on them to recognize their power, seize their potential, and “awaken the sleeping giants” within.
In a message that blended humility, faith, and personal experience, the Commissioner reminded the boys that the decisions they make today will shape their future.“The choices you make today determine who you become tomorrow,” he said.
Bailey, who revealed he was the first in his family to attend high school, urged the students to embrace education and discipline as tools of
transformation.“Knowledge is power. If you want to be a real man, you need to read,” he told them. “Remember your potential — if others can do it, so can you. Some of you are sleeping giants waiting to be awakened.”
He emphasized that circumstances of birth do not dictate destiny, challenging the young men to carry self-respect, faith, and moral conviction wherever they go. “Self-respect is key; respect yourself, respect others, and respect God,” he said. “The circumstances you were born into do not define who you are.”
The Commissioner also spoke about resilience, advising that true strength often lies in restraint.
“There will be challenges, and people may try to impede your development — but rise above negativity. Sometimes, strength means walking away,” he said. “Some of you are sleeping lions; it’s time to awaken that instinct and rediscover your true potential.”
In closing, Commissioner Bailey delivered a stirring challenge:
“Each morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that you were created by God and are capable of great exploits. You are a possibility with potential. Step forward with confidence — this is your country, your islands. Be the best version of yourself.”
Following his speech, the Commissioner engaged the students in open dialogue, answering questions and listening to their perspectives on issues affecting young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
