My fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders, it is with a heavy heart that I, on behalf of my Government express our grave concerns for the violence among the youth of our country, which as of recent has resulted in the deaths of three male Turks and Caicos Islands and the injuries of many others.
While the Turks and Caicos Islands still enjoy a relatively low crime rate and is still the best place in the world to be, the crimes among the young people are extremely disturbing, especially with indigenous Turks and Caicos Islanders only accounting for one-third of the population. We cannot allow the future of these islands to run in the gallows, as a government and a community we must do all within our powers now to halt this trend of gang-associated violence and crimes, and save our young men and to ensure that they have the best opportunities to make positive contributions to the development of our country.
In a meeting held this morning, I expressed my Government’s concerns to the Commissioner of Police, as well as the Governor. I have asked for an updated briefing on the matters of the deaths which occurred for the year and I have also asked for an immediate update on those cold case files that have yet to be solved. I have asked that the Commissioner implement an immediate strategy for the crack down and control on the number of guns that are on the streets and that it specifically focuses on the elimination of the point of importation for illegal guns and tighten up on the detection and prosecution of persons found with illegal weapons within their possession.
I have also impressed on the Commissioner the urgent need to reignite the neighborhood watch and community police programs and to establish a retired police and community leaders advisory group as immediate measures that can assist with combating crime and thwarting criminal activities. My Government will continue to work closely with the police to provide them with the resources and support they need to do their jobs effectively. In addition to these measures on which the Commissioner and I have agreed, my government in addition to advancing the development of technical vocational programs at the Community College, will be working closely with multi-national community and religious leaders and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) like the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA), auto mechanic shops, the utility companies and others to seriously look at the apprenticeship programs for young people, starting from the third or fourth form, thereby instilling in them good work ethics and a sense of self-worth and self-pride.
Further, if we are earnestly going to stem the violent crime situation it must be a community effort and I therefore would like to call on community leaders and persons of influence represented in the Turks and Caicos Islands to join our fight and to initiate mentorship programs and other programs geared towards the development of young people.
Finally, each and every one of us have a role to play in preserving the lives and safety of our citizenry and especially our children. We must be responsible in reporting to the police, information that we observe and know that can be of assistance to investigations and bring offenders to justice. There are agencies that we can call on for help for our troubled youth and we need to utilize these avenues to ensure that our children get the help that they need.
These incidents of violent crime are very serious and of grave concern and my Government will be working very closely with the Police and other law enforcement agencies like immigration and customs to see how best we can assist them in getting their jobs done.
May God bless you and may He bless these Turks and Caicos Islands.
