RTC Director

No more money for fencing of Leeward fitness park

THE GREEN fitness park in Leeward is not one of the Government's priorities, according to Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning, Goldray Ewing.

Ewing on Monday (April 3) dismissed a question by elected member for Leeward and Long Bay, Akierra Missick about fencing of her constituency's new park.

The minister in response to the member's question in the House of Assembly, stated that his Government has a lot more priorities to deal with than the fencing of the park.
He turned the question over to the Minister of Education for her to answer as the project was initially started under that ministry.
However, the Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson intervened in the exchange, pointing out that whatever the previous administration had budgeted for the programme would be in the new budget, as there has been no request for additional funding or variations.

The project, which was a signal project for Missick while she was the education minister, had been delayed due to shipment of equipment back in December.
But according to the infrastructure minister, that shipment has now arrived and the park is being completed.
The park is located in Yellow Elder Road, in Leeward Palms and first saw the past administration breaking ground on April 13, 2016.

It was one of Missick's promises to her constituency after being elected in 2012.

At the time of the ground-breaking, the former minister of Government had stated that the $400,000 investment is not a ploy, but one to foster better health and fitness practices for the people of the community.

Spread out on some 1.5 to 1.8 acres the park consists of a picnic area, gazebo, basketball court and multipurpose courts, a baby and toddler play area, an adult area, kids area.
It was the intention of the former administration to replicate similar park spaces across the Turks and Caicos Islands, with South Caicos slated to be next in line.

by RTC Director

Police Investigates Robbery

Detectives of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have launched in investigation to find three (3) males who robbed a couple while in the Lower Bight area of Providenciales.

Around 12:49PM, 911 received a report of a robbery and immediately dispatched officers to a Resort located on Stubbs Road where the 41 year old victim was met.

He told officers that after dropping his family off to a beach near the resort he went to park his vehicle in the parking Lot and whilst there, he was approached by three (3) males all dressed in black clothing pointing a black and grey handgun and the other with a rifle. They took his sunglasses, cellular phone and the 2007 Blue Suzuki Swift rental car licence plate number TC7599.

The vehicle was later recovered at the Princess Alexandria Beach access on the Lower Bight.
Investigations are ongoing.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or have information that can assist with investigation, Contact the Chalk Sound Police Station at 338-5901. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1- 800 8477 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: www.crimestoppers.tc.

by RTC Director

MINISTRY OF BORDER CONTROL UPDATES ON ILLEGAL VESSEL

The Ministry of Border Control and Employment confirms that at approximately 1:00 p.m. on April 7th, Border Control officials received notification that a vessel suspected of transporting undocumented migrants from Haiti was spotted by fishermen off South Caicos and near the banks of North and Middle Caicos earlier that morning.

Members of the Marine Branch of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force were the immediate responders and communication was made to Immigration Officials in South Caicos, Grand Turk and Providenciales.

At approximately 8:15 p.m. Immigration Officers from the Ministry of Border Control and Employment met the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force to receive 67 illegal migrants of Haitian nationality and comprising 59 adult males, 2 minor males and 6 females, who were subsequently detained and processed at the Detention Center in South Dock Providenciales throughout the night.

Through this medium the Ministry is extending commendation to the Immigration Department and stakeholders agencies, especially the Marine Branch of the Police Force and Department of Disaster Management and Emergency DDME, for their hard work, commitment and dedication. Commendation is further extended to the fishing community and Government officials of South Caicos who also played their part as responsible citizens and public officers.

In his comment on this situation the Deputy Premier and Minister with responsibility for Border Control and Employment, Hon. Sean R Astwood M.P. said "It is unfortunate that persons continue to risk their lives in attempts to breach our borders, in the hopes of improving their circumstances. While as a people, and as Government, we understand the hardships and desperation for many in Haiti, we are a very small country with limited resources and therefore can ill afford the strains on our social systems and other national security risks that are inherent with illegal migration.

"The Ministry, along with the Police and support from the National Security Council and other agencies, are working hard to improve the protection of our borders, and will continue our ongoing efforts with the Haitian Government to invest in the interests of their people. However, I am also appealing to the Haitian diaspora and all persons who have connections with Haiti to assist in helping us to discourage persons from attempting this treacherous journey.

"As a Government we have a zero tolerance approach to human trafficking and I, through this medium, am sending a very strong message to persons involved in human trafficking and illegal migration, that when discovered, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

"Sincere thanks is extended to the many men and women who continue to risk their lives day and night, to ensure the safety of us all, I am indeed grateful for your sacrifice. May God continue to cover you and keep you safe from all dangers."

Preparations are underway for the immediate repatriation of the 67 illegal migrants to their homeland, which will commence as early as today.

The Ministry of Border Control reiterates its caution issued to those in the Turks and Caicos Islands that might be inclined to harbor illegal migrants, that as a result of the new Immigration Ordinance which came into effect on April 1, 2016, penalties for harboring illegal migrants were increased, and such persons now face a fine of $20,000 on summary conviction or to a term of imprisonment of four years, or to both. In addition, persons acquiring status other than by birth that are convicted of such an offense, face the possibility of having their status in the Islands revoked, thereby making them liable to deportation.

Investigations into this matter will be conducted by local law enforcement agencies of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

by RTC Director

Police Investigates Robbery

Detectives of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have launched in investigation to find three (3) males who robbed a couple while in the Lower Bight area of Providenciales.
Around 12:49PM, 911 received a report of a robbery and immediately dispatched officers to a Resort located in that area where the 41 year old victim was met.

He told officers that after dropping his family off to a beach near the resort he went to park his vehicle at another location further from the Resort name Donkey Lane and whilst there, he was approached by three (3) males all dressed in black clothing pointing a black and grey handgun and the other with a rifle. They took his sunglasses, cellular phone and the 2007 Blue Suzuki Swift rental car licence plate number TC7599.

The vehicle was later recovered at the Princess Alexandria Beach access.

Investigations are ongoing.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or have information that can assist with investigation, Contact the Chalk Sound Police Station at 338-5901. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1- 800 8477 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: www.crimestoppers.tc.

by RTC Director

Police Investigates various matters in the TCI

Detectives of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are investigating a Burglary that occurred on Grand Turk on Thursday 6th April 2017.
Around 7:15PM, officers arrived to the a home located on the Ridge where the victim was met and showed officers a shattered back door glass with a rock inside of the home. A 20 inch television was missing.

Detectives of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are investigating an Aggravated Burglary that occurred earlier today (Friday 7th April 2017) on Grace Bay area of Providenciales.
Around 3:09AM police responded to the Hope Street area where the victim was met and told officers that 3 am him and his family were awakened by dogs barking in his yard, and shortly after two males kicked open their front door and went straight into their bedroom, demanding their wallet. One of the males described as 5 feet 8inches, pointed a  gun at the victim while the other described as 6 feet tall took their backpacks and began taking their items which includes two (2) cellular phones, an IPad 2 and a  wedding band set.
No one was injured.

In another story, 24 year-old Jouvle Inlues who was arrested and charged for Carrying Firearm in November 2016, was yesterday (Thursday 6th March 2017) found guilty in the Supreme Court in Grand Turk after a three (3) day trial.

Around 7:46pm on Thursday 10th November 2017, police responded to an area in Blue Hills Providenciales after receiving a report of a person seen with a gun. The swift and quick response by police resulted in them coming in direct contact with the suspect who was later identified to be Mr. Inlues with a silver and brown handle Taurus 9mm gun in his possession.
Ignoring verbal commands by officers to drop the weapon, he pointed the gun at officers as he continue running. Officers pursued and eventually caught and disarmed him.
Police have credited the involvement of the public for the arrest.

“When residents are keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings, we can more effectively deal with crimes as they happen.” said Public Relations Officer Kevin Clarke, “This is the model of effective police work, when the community becomes actively involved in their safety and relaying information to the police, then the work of the police is expedited more efficiently and the level of service rises. This should be a replica in which we strive for as a country. “

Detectives of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are investigating a Burglary and the Taking of Motor Vehicle with Out Authority report that was made earlier today (Friday 7th April 2017) in the Grace Bay area of Providenciales.

Around 7:59 AM, Officers responded to the Sunshine Crescent area where the victim was met and told officers that while himself and family was asleep someone or persons entered his home and stole a number of property belonging to them. He further stated that they went to bed around 12:10am and upon waking at 7:37 Am he noticed and observed the window located on the western side of the home opened, and upon making checks he realized two purses missing, a Nike Shoe, one white Apple phone, Ray Ban glasses along with his vehicle.

Investigations are ongoing.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or have information that can assist with investigation, Contact the Chalk Sound Police Station at 338-5901. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1- 800 8477 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: www.crimestoppers.tc.

by RTC Director

Marine Police Intercepts Poacher Boat

On Thursday 16th March 2017 at approximately 12:12pm, officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Marine Police onboard the ‘Sea Defender’ intercepted a poaching vessel with a number of fishermen that was later identified as Dominican Republic Nationals.

The white steel vessel bearing the name ‘Captain Blaze’ is about 80 feet and had a number of dinghies and over 40 men onboard.

It was sighted south west of White Cay, at a position within the territorial waters and fisheries limits of the Turks and Caicos Islands. As Marine Police approached the vessel, the poachers attempted to evade capture and as a result, officers took action to bring the vessel to a stop. The boat was eventually towed to the Marina at Shipyard where officers from the Department of Environment and Coastal Resource (DECR) and Marine

Officers jointly initiated an investigation and removed the marine products and other items which was handed over to DECR as the lead investigation agency.

All of the marine products amounting to over 39,000 pounds of mostly fish was handed over to DECR staff.

The men were arrested on suspicion of illegal fishing and taken into custody.
It is an offence to take marine products without a license. The Vessels and its occupants do not have the appropriate license to operate in the TCI fisheries limits.

Investigations are ongoing.

by RTC Director