RTC Director

PREMIER HONOURABLE CHARLES WASHINGTON MISICK ON TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS BORDER SECURITY

GOOD EVENING!

THIS EVENING, I stand before you to address one of the most pressing issues facing our country: border security. As our nation's Premier, it is my solemn duty to ensure the safety and well-being of every citizen within our borders. The situations are not of our own making but these challenges we must face together.
According to the Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution, the Governor/ British Government is responsible for national security.

I am obliged to work with the Governor on national security as we are co-chairs of the National Security Council.
Last week the National Security Council declared a National Emergency in response to the deteriorating situation in Haiti, which has had a consequential impact on the security of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
In the face of evolving threats and challenges at our borders, the government has adopted a proactive and comprehensive approach to ensure the security and integrity of our borders.

Central to this strategy is a multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths and expertise of various government departments and agencies.
This Strategic Coordinating Group (SCG), chaired by Acting Commissioner Chris Eyre, has been established to ensure the precise coordination of a cohesive national security operational strategy to secure our borders, defend life and protect property.
This group has been meeting regularly to ensure that our enforcement agencies are taking all necessary measures to protect our communities, maintain the integrity of TCI's borders, and address the issue of illegal migration, gun and organized crime including human trafficking.
My Government continues to strengthen its partnership with regional intelligence and security agencies. This collaboration enables them to identify and prevent potential illegal movements and better understand the threats and risks posed by the deteriorating situation in Haiti.

Operational Response
• We have intensified our presence in the Outer Islands, with border force officers working day and night to bolster vigilance and capacity. Patrols along the shorelines of South Caicos, Salt Cay, North Caicos, Middle Caicos, and Grand Turk have been increased to minimize vulnerabilities. Additionally, we have embedded Border Force officers into the Regiment in Providenciales to augment our operations, including shoreline patrols, Vehicle Checkpoints (VCPs), and marina surveillance.
• Operation SeaMIC has been activated to scrutinise high-risk vessels entering Providenciales and Grand Turk, ports of entry for Regional Cargo Vessels. This operation ensures thorough inspections of cargo vessels before docking to prevent human smuggling activities. Moreover, Operation Verify has been enhanced to scrutinize entry documents of individuals arriving via regional and international flights, identifying multiple offenders.
• To maintain the integrity of our detention centres, we are reviewing security mechanisms in collaboration with the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands’ Police Force. Additional holding facilities have been identified as temporary detention centres across the TCI if the need arises for detaining migrants.
• The Government has strengthened its air surveillance partnerships to monitor the waters between the Turks and Caicos Islands and Haiti. Additionally, they have established a coordinated maritime intervention capability to track and intercept vessels before they reach our shores. As part of this effort, maritime police officers have been dispatched to the sea to track and intercept vessels as quickly as possible.
• Over the past week, both offshore and onshore interventions have resulted in the detention of over 200 migrants. The Border Force is currently processing those arrested for repatriation back to Haiti.
• I can confirm there has been:
o 3 interceptions
o 18 persons have been arrested within the last two weeks
o 16 individuals on Providenciales have been identified with gun and gang-related activities.
o 10 individuals on Grand Turk have been identified with gun and gang-related activities.
o Royal Turks and Caicos Police continues to receive daily and weekly reporting on illegal activities including gun and organised crime.

UK Assistance
We have been in constant contact with the UK Government which has announced a more detailed package of support including:
• Policing equipment to support the RTCIPF in combating serious crime, including new capabilities in forensics, body-worn cameras, and CCTV.
• Border security upgrades to the TCI's drone surveillance capability, portable scanners, new engines for the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources vessels, and support for implementing electronic borders.
• A comprehensive new package of support to radically upgrade the TCI's maritime domain awareness with the rollout of advanced coastal sensors through the support of the UK's Joint Maritime Security Centre.
• The arrival of the Reconnaissance Mission and I will meet with them tomorrow at 8 AM.
Additionally, I appeal to individuals within the Haitian community, or any other community residing in these islands, to come forward if they have any information or involvement related to human trafficking and illegal migration. The full force of the law will be brought to bear if any such involvement is discovered.

I urge the public to refrain from politicizing the matter of border security and crime. To safeguard our nation, we must remain united.
I want to express my gratitude to all the dedicated members of our law enforcement agencies who work tirelessly day and night to protect and defend our borders. Your unwavering commitment to this duty is the ultimate act of patriotism, and my government and I fully support you.

We are proud of the work you are doing and will do everything in our power to ensure your safety and well-being. Your hard work and sacrifice do not go unnoticed, and we understand that you are the ones on the front line to keep our country safe while many of us are asleep.
Thank you for your service to our country and reminding you that we cannot face this challenge alone, but we can overcome it together. Turks and Caicos, let us continue to work hand in hand to ensure the safety and security of our nation. May God continue to bless these beautiful by nature Turks and Caicos Islands
Thank you.

by RTC Director

THE GOVERNOR AND THE PREMIER MAKES JOINT STATEMENT ON BORDER SECURITY

Last Monday, the National Security Council declared a National Emergency in response to the deterioration of Haiti and consequential impact for the security of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

A multi-agency Strategic Coordinating Group (SCG), chaired by the Acting Commissioner Chris Eyre, has been stood up over the last week to ensure the clear coordination of a cohesive national security operational strategy to secure our borders, defend life and protect property.

Since its formation, the SCG has met regularly to ensure all is being done by our enforcement agencies to protect our communities to maintain the integrity of TCI’s international borders and tackle illegal migration, coordinate the lawful interdiction and detention of illegal migrants; and ensure co-ordination across all public bodies to optimise our effect within the response to the National Security Situation.
Operational Response

In the last seven days, the SCG has strengthened its multi-national partnership with intelligence and security agencies across the region, which is allowing them to identify potential illegal movements and understand the threat and risks posed by the deteriorating situation in Haiti.
The SCG has enhanced its air surveillance partnerships to monitor the seas between the TCI and Haiti and developed a coordinated maritime intervention capability to track and intervene vessels, wherever possible, before they reach our shores. This has involved maritime police officers being deployed at sea to track and intervene with vessels at the earliest opportunity.

Interventions at sea have led to the detention of more than 200 migrants with others detained on shore within the last week. The Border Force continues to process those arrested for return to Haiti as soon as the conditions allow.
On land, the SCG has coordinated the work of our coastal radar, our TCI Regiment, the Border Force and the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) to detect illegal migrants who have evaded the maritime net and disrupt those criminals who are facilitating the illegal movements to our shores.
UK Assistance

Last month, the UK dispatched firearms officers and additional officers to complement those already deployed from the UK to the RTCIPF Serious Crime Squad.
Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier are in close liaison with the UK Government, who are engaged in the serious nature of what we face and the significance of the implications to the security, safety and stability of the Turks and Caicos Islands. In addressing this National Emergency, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier are bringing critical focus of the required operational assistance from the UK Government. This includes support to enhance our maritime interdiction and aerial surveillance capability; bolster our operational enforcement and land based capability; and strengthen our intelligence and operational planning.

Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier commend the brave and diligent officers of all the agencies who have been deployed at sea, on land and in the air for long periods and who have, with significant success, captured those they were charged to detain. The Acting Commissioner, Chris Eyre will provide a public debrief after each meeting of the SCG to ensure the public remain apprised of the multi-agency law enforcement efforts.

by RTC Director

140 Migrants intercepted in the TCI

An illegal vessel transporting ONE HUNDRED and FORTY (140) irregular migrants was intercepted this morning.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Specialist Tactical Operation) Mat Newton said: “Information from the United States Coast Guard indicated that an illegal sloop was heading
towards the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“At 12:43 a.m. today (March 11th, 2024), the Bahamas vessel HMBS LL Smith, with two members from the Turks and Caicos Regiment and one member of the Royal Turks and Caicos
Islands Police Force onboard as ship riders, intercepted what is believed to be a Haitian vessel.
“The illegal sloop carried One Hundred and Twenty-One Males (two minors included) and Nineteen Females (two minors included). The irregular migrants were brought ashore to
Providenciales for processing by the Immigration Task Force.

"The RTCIPF remains committed to working alongside our regional and international partners to dismantle these operations run by unscrupulous individuals. I am grateful to the crew of the HMBS LL Smith for their diligence and professionalism in executing today's interception as we continue to partner in protecting our territorial waters and Border.”

The TCI-Bahamas Shiprider Agreement allows the TCI and Bahamian ship riders to board each other’s law enforcement vessels or aircraft. The ship rider can grant authority to enforce TCI law relating to people trafficking, illegal migration, narcotics or firearms trafficking, or unregulated fishing.

The RTCIPF asks the public to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, and anonymously give any information on illegal activity.

Additionally, persons are encouraged to download the CrimeStoppers P3 app and share information anonymously.

by RTC Director

Minister of Public Safety and Utilities issues statement on fire at Landfill

On Saturday, March 9th 2024, at 7:00 am, the Environmental Health Department (EHD) was informed of a fire at the Providenciales landfill. The fire was identified by the new Landfill Contractor, TCI Green Ecological, during their routine site inspection. The fire was located on the Southeast side of the landfill near the perimeter fencing on the edge of the decommissioned landfill cell. The fire is attributed to deep-seated hotspots and all efforts are ongoing to have it contained and extinguished.

The EHD wishes to advise the residents of Providenciales, especially those living in the Wheeland Phase 2 area, that the Department and TCI Green Ecological are urgently addressing the current fire at the disposal site with the assistance of all stakeholders. As of this Press Release, the fire has been approximately 85% contained. Residents are reminded to keep doors and windows closed to avoid any potential exposure to smoke while the fire is being brought under control.

Concerning this matter, the Environmental Health Department would like to inform the residents of the nearby communities of the ongoing fire extinguishing exercise at the Providenciales landfill. This is a project which is working to put out the existing underground fires. This incident highlights the importance of the fire extinguishing exercise to prevent further proliferation of fires at the landfill site.

Further updates will be provided in due course.

We wish to assure the public that we are committed to safeguarding public health while also creating an environment that is healthy and aesthetically pleasing to both residents and visitors to enjoy.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Kyle Knowles, issued a response to RTC News, "As Minister for Public Safety and Utilities and Member of Parliament for Wheeland and West Caicos, I would like to provide an update regarding the recent fire incident at the solid waste management site (Providenciales dumpsite) over the weekend. The fire originated from a fire extinguishing exercise and was triggered by a hotspot flare-up.

In the early morning of Saturday, March 9, 2024, TCI Green Ecological Corporation Limited, the new management company of the solid waste management facility, identified a hotspot flare-up in the northwestern area of the landfill site. Swift action was taken by alerting the Domestic Fire Service and other supporting agencies to contain the situation.

Consequently, the site was temporarily closed to the public for safety reasons until the fire was brought under control. I commend the collaborative efforts of all involved, which led to the containment of the fire and the resumption of landfill operations on Sunday, March 10, 2024.

I want to remind the general public, particularly the residents of Wheeland, that a fire extinguishing plan has been in progress at the landfill site since February 26, 2024, and is scheduled to continue until June 2024. The primary aim of this initiative is to eliminate hotspots around the landfill, which have been causing smoke issues affecting the Wheeland community.

Therefore, ongoing extinguishing and remediation activities should be anticipated. However, every effort will be made to minimize and promptly address any potential effects such as hotspot flare-ups, which could escalate into larger fires.

Our commitment remains steadfast in prioritizing public safety and the well-being of all residents. We appreciate and ask for your continued cooperation and understanding as we strive to modernize the Providenciales solid waste management facility."

by RTC Director

Department of Special Education Needs Services officially launched

Tuesday, February 27th marked a significant milestone in the educational landscape for the Turks and Caicos Islands as the Department of Special Education Needs Services officially launched under the Ministry of Education.

This momentous occasion marked a new era of support and empowerment for children with special needs across our islands.

With a vision to provide comprehensive and inclusive education for all children, the Department of Special Education Needs Services aims to ensure that every child, regardless of ability, has access to quality education services tailored to their unique needs.

This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to fostering an inclusive society where every child can thrive and reach their full potential.

The launch event, attended by government officials, educators, parents, volunteers, and stakeholders, showcased the department’s dedication to providing a range of specialized services to meet the diverse needs of children with disabilities. From behavioral therapy to speech therapy, IEP training for teachers, and annual therapy camps, the department offers a holistic approach to support the development and well-being of children with special needs.

Speaking at the launch event, Dr. Anya Malcolm-Gibbs, Director for the Department of Special Education Needs Services, emphasized the importance of collaboration and community engagement in ensuring the success of this initiative. “We are committed to working hand in hand with parents, educators, and stakeholders to create a nurturing environment where no one is left behind or overlooked.”

The Minister responsible for Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Hon. Rachel M. Taylor, emphasized the importance of the newly established department in advancing inclusive education in the Turks & Caicos Islands. She shared; “the upcoming specialized education school will provide tailored educational programs and resources for children with complex needs.” Hon. Taylor also commended the efforts of all involved in bringing this vision to fruition and reiterated the government’s long-term commitment to providing and enhancing educational opportunities for all children, including those with special needs.

For more information about the Department of Special Education Needs Services and its programs. Please contact sens@gov.tc

by RTC Director