Crime

Commissioner of Police Statement on Recent Upsurge in Violent Crime in Five Cays

Published

2 years ago

September 7, 2022

#TurksandCaicos, September 7, 2022 – The last five days has seen a deliberate disregard for the rule of law and life on Providenciales, predominantly in Five Cays but also in other communities that has left a trail of tragedy and heartache in a manner that is unacceptable in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This heinous acts has been perpetrated by young men, men who have carried out cowardly attacks for reasons that are hard to understand and completely unacceptable.

This violence has led to the deaths of four people and a number of others who have been hospitalized with serious injuries. All of the incidents involved firearms and all of the deceased suffered gunshot injuries.

Overnight from Friday 2^nd September into the 3^rd, two persons, Keno Taylor and Assam Astwood were shot and killed and Five Cays and two others were hospitalized with gunshot injuries.

Early Sunday morning, the 4^th September, two persons were attacked, again in Five Cays and died from gunshot injuries. I am naming them as Stuart Harris and Tamia Simmons.

These attacks were targeted against specific individuals but it is clear that the gunmen were indiscriminate in the way they carried out the violent and abhorrent attacks.

In these instances, this violent criminal is driven by young men, formed into gangs, where violence spirals out of control through a cycle of retribution and revenge against groups and is further fueled by the importation and distribution of drugs and wider criminal activity. This level of criminality cannot be and won’t be tolerated and the Force will remain resolute in tackling this organized crime.

We know that the community of Five Cays is fearful, but I want to reassure you that we are doing all we can to take these criminals off the streets of the Turks and Caicos Islands and stop the cycle of shootings and death. Additional officers are being deployed into Five Cays across the 24-hour period, both to reassure the community and to track down the violent criminal elements that are blighting lives and causing misery to so many. You may not see all the policing activity that is being undertaken, but please be reassured that we are working hard for you in tackling this problem. We are also deploying all legal measures to deal with the people behind this violence, including covert policing tactics.

As always, we need your help, if you know anything, no matter how small tell us. I do acknowledge that there are concerns about giving information to Police Officers and I understand the hesitancy. However, we now have a dedicated team of trained officers who will work discreetly with people who want to provide information. They work separately from the force and will deal with your information discreetly and professionally. I will be sending out a dedicated number to contact the team but, in the meantime, please free to contact me directly and I will assist. We have made this change as we know how difficult it is to provide information so, please trust me when I tell you that your identity and what you have to say will remain confidential.

Alternatively, you can still call crime-stoppers, you won’t need to leave your name and we won’t know who called but we will get the information you provide.

In broader terms, I have spoken many times about the societal issues that sit behind serious crime. The Force is working alongside the Government and National Security Team to better understand the causes of crime and start to deal with the deeper societal and community issues as well as building the Capability and Capacity of the Force.

The Force is working with the Hon Taylor and the relevant Ministry to improve lighting within Five Cays to enhance the feel of communities in terms of safety and security.

The Force is also working in partnership with the Government and the Attorney General’s Chambers to consider legislation that will allow policing to better deal with violent criminals and increase the sentences for serious crimes when convicted.

Such enhancements support the Police in dealing with criminals and play a part in making people feel safer within their communities.

I am grateful for the financial support of the government to allow is to do this. We are recruiting a number of officers from the TCI and overseas to bolster our numbers, we are enhancing our intelligence and covert policing capability, driving forward with our plans for community policing and investing in our investigative capability, both in terms of investigators and technical support. I am also grateful to the UK Government in providing support to policing on the TCI in a number of ways to enhance our capability and capacity and more support is coming in the near future.

I wanted you, our community, to know that we are moving forward in our ability to fight crime, so again, I want to reassure you that the Officers and staff are working hard to prevent and detect crime. For example, in 2022, of guns have been removed from the streets of the TCI and the persons in possession of those weapons have been arrested and charged. We will continue this work, overtly and covert to rid the streets of guns and stop these violent criminals from causing harm to our communities.

Knowing the level of dangerous work undertaken by my officers, I want to thank them for the work they do day and night in protecting their communities. I wish to salute their courage, persistence and determination.

As I close, if you choose to threaten a Police Officer with a firearm you are making a choice and that will have a consequence. My officers legally empowered to protect themselves and law abiding citizen’s others from armed criminality and they will do so if threatened. Let me be clear, if you threaten the life of an officer, you will face lethal force to protect themselves. Do not to make a bad decision.

To the young men involved in these crimes I say this; ‘Find another way to live your lives rather than through violence and guns. I am appealing to you directly; stop the cycle of violence, a cycle that makes you more likely to die a violent death, a cycle that will ultimately result in you spending most of your life in prison and a cycle that is causing death and lifelong grief to others. I am also appealing to those who are close to these young men, parents, siblings, friends, I am asking you to plead with them to stop the violence and take a different path before they too end up being shot and killed in the very cycle of violence they are perpetuating. No good ever comes from the life they are living.’

Finally, four people have lost their lives and our condolences, thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have died in the recent attacks and to those who have been injured. Make no mistake, as a Force we committed to keeping our communities safe and we remain focused, steadfast and relentless in hunting down the criminals who are causing so much misery to our communities.

Thank you, and may God bless you and the beautiful by nature Turks and Caicos Islands.

Crime

Man accused of kidnapping, raping and filming sex acts with woman for two days; Remanded until June

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Shanieka

Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Correspondent

A Dominican female, after allegedly being sexually assaulted, allegedly recorded performing sexual acts and allegedly threatened and held against her will overnight by a jitney driver will have to wait a little longer for the conclusion of the matter.

Identified as the accused in this case is ELVETHAN MCFAIAN HANDFIELD, 47 of Parrot Cut Street, Cooper Jack, Providenciales; it is in the area residents call, Glass Shack.

Hon Chief Magistrate, Mr Jolyon Hatmin has remanded the man to prison until his sufficiency hearing on June 7, 2024.

A Dominican woman, resident in Dock Yard, Providenciales reported to police that she was on the road waiting on a jitney when she was picked up by the accused HANDFIELD. She said he asked her where she’s going? She said she told him to Dock Yard and then jumped into his car. The woman said she had just gotten off from work and wanted to get home, instead, the driver allegedly detoured to what she suspected was his home, where he reportedly pulled out a knife and forced her inside.

The woman was held captive, according to her account of events to Police. Raped repeatedly between Friday April 19th to Saturday April 20th; and then was threatened not to report the matter or face being humiliated, because her alleged attacker recorded the sexual encounter, without her consent and was prepared to post it online.

Officers of the Safeguard and Public Protection Unit arrested ELVETHAN HANDFIELD shortly after the release of the woman, who filed a formal complaint. He was subsequently charged by female detective Ms. Michelle Goslyn with two acts of rape of female complainant, her identity revealed but which we withhold due to the sensitive nature of the crime.

The charges were laid against him on Friday April 26 and his court appearance was on Monday, April 29, 2024. HANDFIELD was not required to enter a plea as the CM explained to him that these are indictable offenses. The serious nature fit only for a Supreme Court trial.

In his attempt to get bail, as he was unrepresented at the arraignment, Ms.Tassja Mitchell of the DPP’s Office outlined all that is mentioned above and further told the Court that he there are other investigations pending, with more charges to come for the man who is known to the Police.

Mitchell explained that the Crown is opposing bail; expressing sincere concern for public safety if the suspect were to be released.

While the Chief Magistrate dismissed hearing more about the other matters pending against ELVETHAN HANDFIELD.

The Senior Public Prosecutor, Tassja Mitchell, in making a case for NO BAIL expressed to the Court that the Rehabilitation of Offenders’ Ordinance prevented her from giving the details of HANDFIELD’ convictions.

Bail for the man was denied; he is currently on remand at His Majesty’s Prison in Grand Turk.

Crime

No guns, No bullets when travelling to the Caribbean; You could 10-25 Years in Prison

Published

2 days ago

May 2, 2024

Shanieka

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

Americans need to check their luggage for contraband including bullets before leaving home or expect long jail times and hefty fines that advice is coming from within their own country courtesy of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

In an article last updated February 14, 2024 the ATF said.

“While you’re packing your sunscreen and snorkel gear, don’t forget to check your luggage and clothing to remove all guns and ammunition. Many countries in the Caribbean do not allow possession of firearms or ammunition unless you have a local permit and, if arrested while traveling, the United States Embassy will not be able to secure your release.”

Recent arrests of visitors in the Turks and Caicos islands for ammunition possession have garnered international attention highlighting two interwoven issues: Americans may not be researching the laws of their vacation destinations well enough (despite encouragement from the ATF) and Caribbean countries may not be doing enough to publicize their laws.

One of the most publicized arrests, that of Ryan Watson, a father of two who entered the country with 4 bullets which he and his wife say was a mistake, is one example.

“We were trying to pack board shorts and flip flops,” Valerie Watson told CBS News. “Packing ammunition was not at all our intent.”

When Magnetic Media visited the official Turks and Caicos Tourism Website, listed at the bottom of the home page were entry requirements. A click on the entry requirements tab revealed in the very first paragraph, this statement:

“In order to bring in firearms of any type (including spear guns and Hawaiian slings), one must have written approval from the Commissioner of Police.”

It’s a clear warning, though it does not mention the mandatory 12 year sentence or the fact that ammunition possession carries the same penalty.

Regardless, it’s there for all potential visitors to see; In fact the Turks and Caicos’ warning is more forward facing than its nearest comparable neighbors who arguably have a much longer reach and more experience in tourism. Magnetic Media found it difficult to find any such warnings on the VisitJamaica or the Bahamas.com websites.

It’s a stark contrast to the ATF website which warns over and over “Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines”

“If you are arrested for gun trafficking abroad, you could be imprisoned, fined or both, and the State Department will not be able to secure your release”

Despite this many Americans continue to make the same mistake, with four such cases pending this year.

Increased diligence from firearm holders and an increased visibility of local laws could work in tandem to protect guests and the tourism industry Caribbean Countries rely on.

Simultaneously, others, arguably the loudest voices, are calling on the government to repeal the law and make provisions for those who may have had no intent to smuggle anything into the country.

Crime

Unlocking Perspectives: Serious Tourist Incidents unveiled in TCI

Published

2 days ago

May 2, 2024

Shanieka

Possessing an illegal firearm and ammunition are considered one of the most egregious crimes in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Therefore, as a deterrent, word of harsh sentence add-ons should spread quickly to would-be criminals and make one think twice before arming themselves with an illegal or unlicensed firearm.

All eyes are on TCI as the recent commentary on the complex issues surrounding tourists inadvertently caught in the web of our stringent ammunition laws. It’s clear that while these laws were designed to curb violence, they may not have adequately accounted for scenarios involving non-malicious intent.

Therefore, one must ask does the punishment fit the crime?

The stark reality facing our tourism industry due to these incidents cannot be overstated. We risk not only harming innocent lives but also damaging a vital economic engine.

Nonetheless, we should not and cannot allow outside influence to hold our country hostage to certain demands for failure of a traveller to do their due diligence when travelling to a foreign country.

With that being said, is it time to rethink how we can enforce our laws while still protecting the spirit of hospitality that defines us?

Additionally, serious considerations of intent is both progressive and necessary when adapting our legal framework.

For first time offenders, perhaps implementing fines with rehabilitative measures rather than severe incarceration could indeed serve as a more effective and humane deterrent.

Despite the few tourists being caught up in this quagmire situation, a number of our young men in TCI who faced similar charges have already been handed their fate, serving 7-12 years in prison.

Most citizens would strongly agree punishment for such crimes need to be on a case by case basis. Not ruling out a short stint in prison in addition to hefty fines. Moreover, redirecting such fines to fund community and youth programs could offer long-term benefits, fostering a safer and more engaged community.

This is a pivotal moment for the Turks and Caicos Islands to demonstrate flexibility and compassion in our legal system, ensuring it remains robust yet fair. It’s crucial that we continue this conversation and work towards solutions that reflect both our values and the complexities of modern governance.

Although harsh, the disposition of these cases if not aligned with our strict laws, it could be sending a dangerous and conflicting message to potential visitors, as ignorance of the law should not be tolerated.

The outcome will also highlight the glaring contradiction as it relates to recent sentencing of local individuals for similar offenses. Hopefully it will prompt legislators to take a second look at the laws and display a willingness to consider how they might more reasonably revise it.

If not already in place, this should include creating some sort of a safety net that allows judges to sentence below the mandatory minimum for first time offenders, and give them a second chance if doing so will not endanger the public.

The courts should not be callously handing down these verdicts, especially to our youth who are

first-time offenders and without physically harming an individual.

In my opinion, what the courts failed to take into consideration is the negative impact it will have on the same group of young adults our country is trying to help and protect.

The impact on the individual and the community can sometimes produce absurd and unintended results.

It’s imperative that law makers find that balance.

For example, possessing ammunition without a valid permit may result a lesser fine for a first-time offender compared to someone with a history of similar violations.

Conversely, using or carrying ammunition in commission of a violent crime or trafficking ammunition illegally may result in a higher fine or imprisonment.

Any proposed revision to the law should not only be done to appease our tourism industry, but to help save our youth from themselves.

It’s obvious this law alone is not stopping the violence or importation of illegal ammunitions or weapons.

Since there is no cookie cutter approach to these types of challenges, I think it’s extremely important that before any country mimic or adapt the laws or policies of others, it’s imperative that they conduct their own thorough research and analysis to determine the long and short term impact.

Given the serious consequences of violating ammunition laws, it is essential for individuals and responsible firearm holders to understand and comply with these regulations. Compliance with ammunition laws is not only a legal obligation but also a moral imperative that promotes the well-being of the communities and individuals alike.

Ed Forbes

Concerned Citizen