News
Residents want resignation; Police Commissioner calls for patience
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, April 22, 2022 – After waves of angry messages, posts and the revival of a petition calling for the resignation of the Royal TCI Police Commissioner Trevor Botting, he was asked the question about letting go of the post, to allow someone else to step in.
“I get why they want me to go but if they think that will fix it I think they’re misguided. But I understand, everyone is entitled to their view. I am in public office and that’s absolutely fine,” said Mr. Botting as guest Tuesday on Financially Speaking, which is aired on Radio Turks and Caicos and hosted by Drexwell Seymour.
The Commissioner acknowledged the public’s concern and noted that their concerns were also police concerns.
Saying, “I am asking for a couple of things; patience while we build the capability. The force is building a very strong capability that is going to go way beyond my time here and we’ve got a very strong leadership developing.”
He noted that they have been very well supported by the Public despite everything, acknowledging the issues with 911 he said, “I know there’s been well documented issues… When someone called in and they didn’t get the best service but don’t let that deter you. Tell us what you know and we will do our absolute most to develop that.”
About 24 hours later, the Commissioner engineered his own independent statement to the nation. In the ‘vlog’ he provided an update on the recent crime spree.
Between April 8 through 16, Police recovered six illegal firearms, drugs and ammunition.
- Gun and Drug Crimes
One of the guns was found on Saturday, April 9 in downtown Provo after reports of shooting.
On the 11th a woman was arrested on suspicion of keeping firearms and ammunition. One gun was recovered in that operation along with jewelry and cash.
On the same day, Canadian citizen David Lit was charged after entering and being found with a quantity of marijuana at the PLS airport. Lit had briefly escaped custody but surrendered, accompanied by an attorney.
On the 15th after robbery reports were made a vehicle was intercepted along Leeward Highway and another gun and ammunition was found.
- Two men were arrested in that incident.
And on April 16th, a 45-year-old was arrested after he attempted to leave the country with cocaine and marijuana as well as an illegal firearm.
The crime wave has come crashing down on the Turks and Caicos Islands in its busiest hour; tourism has never been better and guests were not exempt in the brazen armed robberies and assaults.
On Tuesday at least one person was arrested in Long Bay and blue Hills; search warrants were executed for those same areas on Wednesday said Botting.
In all matters, information was not lavishly doled out. Just splashes of insight which for TCI is more frustrating than helpful.
- Arson
Along with the violence confrontational crime erupting in Providenciales, the trend of arson has struck again this time not only in Grand Turk.
Police are investigating that fire on Bambarra Beach which resulted in as many as four tiki beach huts being destroyed and a boat was set on fire later.
In Grand Turk, prison officers are being targeted. So far said the Commissioner, there have been reports of three cars torched on purpose.
“Attacks on law enforcement and colleagues from the prison will simply not be tolerated. Someone on Grand Turk knows who set these fires and if that is you, and you don’t come forward, you are part of the problem. Now is not the time to be passive, name the criminals, don’t let them hide amongst you,” Botting said.
By now, residents are exhausted at the promises which amount to being unfruitful. The legacy is the same, outflow of information is kept at a slow and low pace, which public distrust and trial losses and non-convictions soar.
The petition, which resurfaced on the Easter holiday weekend, has 103 who have signed agreement for the Trevor Botting, who climbed the ranks from Deputy Police Commissioner to be replaced as the Police Commissioner with someone from the Turks and Caicos Islands.
#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – Officers from the Serious Crime Unit (SCU) of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have made a breakthrough following boat thefts in the TCI.
On May 19, 2024, FARIDSON JEAN BAPTISTE, a Haitian national, was charged with the following offences:
- Theft of TCI boat Marauder
- Theft of TCI boat Jupiter
- Theft of TCI boat Team Baja
- Handling Stolen Goods
- Assisting Illegal Entry into the TCI
Mr JEAN BAPTISTE was initially detained on April 5 th 2024, while attempting to enter the TCI on a high-powered boat that was reported stolen. At the time of the interception, thirty (30) irregular migrants were being transported.
Mr JEAN BAPTISTE remains in custody pending a court date. The arrest and subsequent charges against Mr Jean Baptiste follow a complex, multi-jurisdictional investigation by the SCU and the Haitian National Police.
These investigations resulted in the recovery of boats and other property stolen from the TCI, which were retrieved from several locations in Haiti.
The recovered property has an estimated value of over $1.2 million.
#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – The Traffic Enforcement Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force conducted joint road operations alongside the TCI Border Force on May 13th and 16th, 2024, focusing on crime reduction, illegal migration, and road safety.
These efforts aimed to ensure compliance with Road Traffic regulations and yielded significant results. During these operations, THIRTY-EIGHT (38) individuals were detained for immigration violations, and SIXTY-SIX (66) were reported for traffic offences. For April and May 2024, overall joint operations have resulted in ONE HUNDRED and TWENTY (120) persons detained for immigration purposes, and ONE HUNDRED and NINETY-NINE (199) reported for traffic violations.
Acting Inspector Damian Mitchell emphasised the interconnectedness of road traffic compliance, crime, and illegal migration.
He stated, “These operations focus on addressing each critical area.”
Division B and Community Policing head Superintendent Dwight Gardiner noted a general increase in public compliance with traffic regulations during the first quarter of the year.
Superintendent Gardiner encouraged road users to adhere to all aspects of the law, stating, “Let us all strive to keep our roads safe for everyone and reduce crime in our communities. Adhere to the rules of the road. Thanks to our law enforcement partners and you, members of the public.”
Motorists are especially urged to comply with regulations regarding vehicle window tints. Violations carry a substantial penalty of $250 per window.
The RTCIPF and TCI Border Force thank the public for their cooperation and continued efforts to maintain safety and order on the roads.
Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Correspondent
#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – An undocumented Haitian male, aged 20, faces charges related to gang activity and firearms.
He was apprehended along with others in a small blue car in front of Sunny Foods Supermarket on South Dock/Five Cays Road on Tuesday, May 2nd, 2024. Providing the name JAMES SIMON to the police, he was accompanied by a 16/17-year-old (name withheld) who faces charges of unlawful entry.
The accused is charged with illegal possession of a Black Glock 44 (serial number AEBE402) containing 10 rounds of 22LR ammunition on South Dock/Five Cays Road, Providenciales.
Additionally, he is alleged to be one of three individuals involved in a morning robbery at 809 or Chances, Blue Hills, Providenciales. The robbery, captured on video, involved the gunpoint theft of a female’s white handbag containing $799.00.
He has been remanded until the next sufficiency hearing on July 7th, 2024. Appearing in court on Monday, May 13th, he was represented by Mr. Ashwood Forbes, with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions represented by Ms. Enjaleek Dickerson.
He was arraigned on the following charges:
- Gang membership
- Robbery
- Possession of a firearm for the benefit of a gang
- Possession of ammunition for the benefit of a gang
- Unlawful entry
- Possession of a firearm
- Possession of ammunition
Both individuals are Creole-speaking.
-
Caribbean News1 week agoBelize, Jamaica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Syphilis
-
News20 hours agoEleven Senators, Three Governors make appeals for Leniency; Five Americans now face 12 Years in Prison
-
TCI News1 week agoEquity in Energy says Bahamas Energy & Transport Minister in legislative roll out
-
TCI News7 days agoAMERICAN MOTHER AND DAUGHTER ALLEGEDLY ARRESTED FOR TWO BULLETS
-
TCI News1 week agoFamily of 16 tourist claims negligence in Grand Turk jet ski death; Coroner’s Court hearing evidence
-
Caribbean News1 week agoMagnetic Media attends Caribbean Media Summit, in focus AI in Journalism
-
Bahamas News1 week agoThe Bahamas Successfully Hosts Its Fourth World Athletics Relays
-
TCI News1 week agoPolice Swarm Five Cays, newest murder victim is 37 year-old man