TCI News
TCI: Letter to the Editor: “CRIME – It’s Everyone’s Business”
#Providenciales, October 4, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – I literally cringe as I read my WhatsApp messages, followed by newspaper articles week after week detailing the tragic deaths of young men on the islands of Grand Turk and Provo.
One must wonder, when will these senseless killings stop? As you know, bad news travels very fast, in most cases it’s embellished but partly true; wishing the stories were fibs. Living abroad for over 30 plus years, with the majority of my career spent in private and corporate investigations, I’m certainly not a novice to such crime trends.
Nevertheless, it’s disheartening to hear how the crime spree is tarnishing these beautiful by nature islands. By definition, I am not a criminologist, however, I have quite an extensive background and education in this particular arena. Therefore, why not share my expertise as crime is everyone’s business. I said that to say this. If we want to get serious about controlling crime, we must focus on the root causes, prevention, punishment and rehabilitation. All four of these areas are interdependent of each other.
Root Causes: your preaching to the choir, as we all know how most of the weapons are getting into the country. The recent search and seizure of the boat that ran aground off great Sand Cay, where a cash of ammunition and guns were confiscated is quite evident. We have wide open borders and many deserted Cays to stash weapons for easy filtration into the mainland. The country has a coastal RADAR tracking station in South Dock, Providenciales, but is one unit enough? Is it strategically placed for maximum detection and interceptions? Even if the radar station in Provo picks up a signal near Grand Turk or great Sand Cay, do we have the available resources to respond and engage quickly? The Marine Police in Grand Turk do not have a working vessel. How will they respond I beg the differ. Proper detection mechanism for weapons and or drugs are also not in place to deal with the level of supplies that arrive on these cargo ships. So, it’s like catch me if you can. Do we have a trained harbor master in Grand Turk?
While on the beach, I have personally had yacht captains come ashore on their dingy and walked up to me asking directions to Customs and immigration departments. Who is conducting proper searches on their boats? This is not war time for the Britt’s. Why aren’t we putting the necessary pressure on them to provide us with one of their decommissioned Navy vessels to patrol our waters as frequently as the US Coast Guard does? We can’t depend solely on the US or the Bahamas Royal Navy, they have their own problems and limited resources.
Prevention: Quoting the old cliché, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. A little precaution before a crisis occurs is preferable to a lot of fixing up afterward. I’m excited to see we now have a native in top level management in the law enforcement department who better understands the culture of our youth and is in position to make collective decisions. Not to take away anything from the great progress we’ve made with putting a dent in crime, but we must do more as it seems we are being more reactive then proactive? It must start with building relationships and trust within communities and introducing new neighborhood watch programs. This will help to stop nuisance crimes and provide the needed intelligence to address serious crimes.
I believe the most significant contribution to short and long term crime reduction, besides a good education, will come from the early identification of young people at risk of offending behavior, and implementing sound programs to help them make better life choices – choices that will benefit them, their families and their communities at large. This is where more help is needed from our Civic leaders. Having an anti-gang strategy and targeting gang activity directly would assist in this push to reduce crime. I have seen the devastating blow uncontrolled gang activity can have on a community to include innocent bystanders. Safety and security are not just a policing issue, the whole of government has a role to play, along with communities themselves contributing and bridging that gap. Our police officers have never dealt with this level of gang related violence to no fault of their own. Why aren’t we requesting assistance from countries like the US, who have long been plagued with these kinds of behaviors and have trained experts in this area?
Punishment: I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, there is no silver bullet to solving these complex issues but our leaders and law enforcement must and I repeat “MUST” continue to explore endless measures to see what are the most effective ways to get to the core of crime reduction. Crime and punishment go hand in hand, which should include taking a closer look into our prison system. Our we creating a Ritz Carlton service for prisoners or an inconvenience? They are labeled prisoners for a reason. I have had the opportunity to visit our prison system on numerous occasions and although we have improved in some areas in terms of tighter security, what I saw was repugnant.
Prisoners wearing the most expensive sneakers, clothing of the latest style, having groceries delivered that can fill a small convenience store, families bringing in cooked meals etc. Is this prison to you? I’m an advocate for human rights, but we must reevaluate the true purpose of the prison system and its intended purpose. It was not designed for luxury but as a punishment for crimes committed.
Here is some food for thought.
1. Why are the prisoners not wearing uniforms? During my visits, most times you cannot differentiate the prisoners from the visitors.
2. Why are we allowing cooked food and groceries to be brought in?
3. The prison should have their own commissary which is a more controlled environment and reduces the opportunity for entry of drugs, phones and makeshift weapons.
4. Chain gang, what happened to those days? While growing up in Grand Turk, low risk prisoners were required to clean the streets, why not return to those bygone days. Back then, it was a shame to be seen in prison clothes on the street.
5. Why are repeat offenders being released within 30 to 60 days?
6. What background check if any, is being done on deportees back to this country?
Rehabilitation: A holistic approach to crime control is what’s needed. Inclusive of the role Mental health counseling and anger management classes can have. All are areas needing attention in this developing country. Mental health has been a taboo for far too long and can no longer be ignored and if left untreated, it could have wide reaching impact such as what we are seeing today in relation to the recidivism rate and growing violent crimes among teens. If you look at the profile of the individuals committing crimes in our communities, they are primary older teens or young adults.
In my opinion, they are not inherently bad kids, just are impressionable, conflicted young people wrestling with emotions and impulses. Unless a heinous crime is committed, locking them away in the prison population is not the answer. An adequate facility with psychological treatment and trained counselors is what’s needed. Let’s face it, technically we do not have life sentences in the Turks and Caicos. Therefore, at some point these prisoners will eventually be released into society.
Now what? They’re still grappling with the same mental problems. The threat of longer prison sentences, no matter how severe, will not deter anyone who believes their crimes will not be detected and they can get away with it. It will also not deter those who are too overcome by emotion or disordered thinking or to care about the consequences of their behavior.
We are dealing with a different type of criminal today, most with low self-esteem, hostility, pleasure- or thrill-seekers and lack of empathy. Let’s invest in our youth now.Here are some of our short- and long-term needs. A. Stronger community policing focusing on one community at a time.
B. Trade schools for our youth, geared specifically toward curriculum that drives economic development.
C. Summer programs for our youth and at-risk children.
D. Law enforcement need Seg-ways not SUV’s for our road patrol, particularly in smaller communities.
E. We need to do a better job with promoting the existing crime stoppers program with focus on confidentiality and incentives.
F. Government needs to provide all branches of law enforcement the needed resources to prevent and help fight crime.
In conclusion, there were many newspaper articles written on crime and recommended solutions. However, the reality is, Britain now controls our purse string. So, our local representatives must do a better job at prioritizing and communicating what can be done within their limited budget and scope of powers. This will soften the blow on unfulfilled promises.
Sometimes it’s not just the major projects, it could be simple projects that can make a huge difference. For example, street lighting in select areas that are dimly lit to help deter crime. These projects may not require an absorbent amount of allocated funds but can have an impressionable impact on ordinary citizens and keep hope alive for our nation.
Ed Forbes – Concerned citizen in GT
PRESS RELEASE
MINISTRY OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 25 April 2024 – The Ministry of Health and Human Services is issuing a public advisory regarding a recent increase in chicken pox cases, particularly within school communities in the regions of Grand Turk and Providenciales. The Ministry is actively monitoring the situation and is working closely with affected schools to provide support and education aimed at preventing further spread of the virus.
Chicken pox, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, is a highly contagious infection characterized by a distinctive rash of itchy red spots or blisters. Transmission occurs via droplets, aerosols, or direct contact with respiratory secretions, and almost always produces clinical disease in susceptible individuals. While mostly a mild disorder in childhood, varicella tends to be more severe in adults. It may be fatal, especially in neonates and in immunocompromised persons. The Ministry urges parents, teachers, and the general public to remain vigilant and familiarize themselves with the signs and symptoms of chicken pox, which may include:
- Rash: The primary symptom of chicken pox is a rash that typically begins as small red spots, which then develop into fluid-filled blisters over several days.
- Fever: Children with chicken pox may experience a mild to moderate fever, often preceding the appearance of the rash.
- Fatigue: Some individuals may feel generally unwell, tired, or lethargic.
- Loss of Appetite: A decreased desire to eat may accompany other symptoms of chicken pox.
Management aims to relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of complications and may include:
- drinking plenty of fluid (try popsicles if your child is not drinking) to avoid dehydration.
- taking paracetamol to help with pain and discomfort.
- cut your child’s fingernails and put socks on their hands at night to stop them scratching.
- use cooling creams or gels e.g. Calamine lotion
- speak to your health care provider about using antihistamine medicine to help itching.
- bathe in cool water and pat the skin dry (do not rub)
- dress in loose clothes.
- do not use ibuprofen unless advised to do so by a doctor, as it may cause serious skin infections.
- do not give aspirin to children under 16.
- do not go near newborn babies, or anyone who is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, as chickenpox can be dangerous for them.
- do not scratch the spots, as scratching can cause scarring.
To mitigate the spread of chicken pox within schools and communities, the Ministry emphasizes the importance of practicing good hygiene habits, including frequent handwashing with soap and water, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and avoiding close contact with infected individuals.
In the event that a child exhibits symptoms of chicken pox, parents and caregivers are advised to keep them at home and seek medical attention promptly. A sick leave for a period of 14 days is usually given. After the 14 day sick leave period, the individual must return to the physician or the public health nurse at one of the primary care clinics to obtain a fit for work or school certificate allowing them re-entry back into school or work. Anyone returning earlier than this time or without this certificate should not be allowed in school so as to prevent spread to other children. Additionally, it is crucial to inform school authorities to prevent further transmission among classmates and staff.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services is committed to ensuring the health and well-being of all citizens, and will continue to work diligently to address this current situation. For further information and guidance on chicken pox prevention and management, please visit Turks and Caicos Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.
Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Correspondent
#TurksandCaicos, April 25, 2024 – He was busted at the Howard Hamilton Providenciales International Airport on Friday, April 16, 2024.
He allegedly had in his luggage four (4) rounds of 6.5mm ammunition on his departure to his homeland in Oklahoma in the United States of America (USA).
Ryan Watson and his wife were arrested and placed into police lock up. Both were later granted police bail, and upon return to police station the Monday after the couple’s arrest, the husband alone was charged by detective Police Constable Kimberlee Markland for
unlawful possession of the four rounds of ammunition.
Watson was escorted to court on Tuesday, April 23rd, placed before the learned Chief Magistrate Mr. Jolyon Hatmin and remanded to His Majesty’s Prison until his sufficiency hearing on June 7, this (2024) year.
His counsel, Mr. Oliver Smith KC and his junior assistant Mrs. Kimone Tennant immediately sought bail for him in the Supreme Court which was heard the following day (Wednesday April 24) before her Ladyship Ms. Tanya Lobban-Jackson and was granted bail, without hassle in the amount or $15,000.00 cash or surety.
The Crown, in the person of senior public prosecutor Ms. Tassja Mitchell did not oppose bail.
Magnetic Media can report that once again on the afternoon of the Tuesday April 24th, after the accused RYAN TYLER WATSON, 41 was remanded by the Magistrate’s court, the U.S. Embassy issued an warning to it’s citizens and travelers to carefully check their bags when traveling to Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) as TCI authorities are strictly enforcing firearm and ammunition laws and if found you could go to prison for 12 years.
A real question of great concern and public importance is: should the TCI courts sentence tourists to the full mandatory minimum of 12 years imprisonment for simple possession firearm and/or ammunition.
The succinct answer is: Yes!
The Court of Appeal, just last month said in its written judgment that “ALL PERSONS,” including tourist/visitors must go to prison if found guilty or pleas guilty to firearm and ammunition offences.
However, there remains the concern about how much time in prison a judge should give a visitor regardless of the existence of exceptional circumstances.
Should the judge imprison a visitor to the territory, who may have been wrongly informed, for example, the full mandatory minimum term or must a reduced prison term be imposed.
If TCI judges start to give less than the mandatory minimum to tourists/visitors, it is being strong and widely advocated by senior defense attorneys that the same must apply to local or residents of these Islands, who may also present exceptional circumstances.
Arguments about the equity in delivery of justice is what drove the question to the Court of Appeal late in 2023. The decision came this past February.
‘We cannot find ourselves sentencing tourists regardless of exceptional circumstances to lesser sentences, and when those same exceptional circumstances are found in local cases, it’s being ignored by our judges.’
Human Rights Attorney, Sheena Mair has on more than one occasion argued this point; including in firearm and ammunition bail applications. She would put the very same judges and prosecutors from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution on the spot by reminding the judges and the prosecutors that precedent has been set.
‘You’ve just granted bail to a tourist for firearm and ammunition but now here’s a local person, same charge but because he’s a local he can’t get bail? He has to be remanded pending a trial that could take years before it’s heard?’
Mair has valiantly outlined the wrong in this and clearly stated this practice is “not fair” and it’s “not proper administration of justice in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
Ms. Mair further complained that tourists would plea guilty to possession of firearm and ammunition and be released on bail pending sentencing but as for a local, he or she has to wait on remand at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation pending sentencing.
The attorney criticizes the optics of such decisions and is on record reminding the Judge that the Court of Appeal has already set out that the law applies to everyone; visitors and locals alike.
A police statement issued Wednesday April 24 informs: “Today (April 24th), Mr. Watson appeared in the Supreme Court and, following a bail application, was granted $15,000 bail with the following conditions:
1) Not travel out of TCI without the court’s permission.
2) Surrender his passport and all other travel documents to the court
3) Report to Grace Bay Police Station on Tuesdays and Thursdays between the hours of 8 am-4 pm,
4) Reside at the given address in Providenciales; any address change will be provided before the court.”
The American from Oklahoma whose story is trending in the US and has been carried by leading news networks was joined by a host of loved ones at the Courthouse.
-
News1 week agoDR man rented Jet Ski nine days ago in Providenciales; where is he now?
-
Health1 week agoDengue cases rising in Region
-
TCI News5 days agoExperience Turks and Caicos and Ministry of Tourism explore development of Cruise industry at Seatrade Global Cruise Conference
-
Caribbean News1 week agoCARICOM pushes need for Reparations Tribunal at Forum in Geneva
-
Education1 week agoCampus Brawl at Clement Howell High sends students to Hospital
-
Caribbean News1 week agoCARICOM sends warning as Oil prices creep higher in the Israel v Iran conflict; 14 regional states import energy
-
Latin America and Caribbean3 days agoRegional SDGs Update
-
News1 week agoAshley’s Learning Center Wraps Up Successful 7th Annual Autism Awareness Concert: “The Future is Bright”