RTC Director

20-year-old Evanson Walkin sentenced to 8 years imprisonment

On Tuesday 11th October 2016 in the Providenciales Supreme Court, 20-year-old Evanson Walkin of Five Cays Providenciales, was sentenced to prison after he had plead guilty earlier to two counts of Carrying Imitation Firearm to cause fear in connection with a report that was made on Saturday 26th September 2015.

Around 12 AM on that date, a nine (9) year-old male child and his 25-year-old sister was walking home from a store in Five Cays Providenciales when Mr. Evanson Walkin began following them. Upon reaching home, Mr. Walkin who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol started behaving aggressively by making used of indecent language, forced himself into the home of the complainant. While inside, the complainant sister asked him to leave, but he refused to do so. Instead, he grabbed her by the arm, dragged her to the floor and place a curtain over her head.

When the 9-year-old tried to assist his sister by asking Evanson to stop, he (Evanson) took what appeared to be an orange flare gun from his waist and placed it on the right eye of the child and threaten to push him outside and kill him. The child got frightened and started screaming as he ran outside crying and shaken with fear. Mr. Walkin followed him and began beating him about the body. While doing so, a neighbor saw what was happening asked him to leave the little boy alone. He then pointed the flare gun at the neighbor and told her he would kill her as well and fled the scene.
Walkin was immediately arrested and charged with the offences and was sentenced to 8 years imprisonment.

Sentenced will run concurrently.

by RTC Director

PDM Chairman and Candidate for Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill Announces Vision for Economic Change

The chairman of The People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) has announced his party’s plans to focus on people-centered development that will take place throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands under a PDM government. 

“From my experience as President of the Providenciales Chamber of Commerce, I recognized and reported then that the fundamental attributes of the Turks and Caicos Islands, which it had enjoyed for decades, and which make it an ideal place for growth, investment and economic prosperity are the “Four Nos”… No Income Tax, No Capital Gains Tax, No Property Tax, and No Exchange Controls.  Additionally, permitting foreign ownership of land supports this economic environment as well as our labour and business-licensing regime, which is one of the most liberal in the region.  However, what has really caused the Turks and Caicos to flourish is the friendly and tolerant attitude and nature of our people coupled with the skills and abilities of our people and residents alike to run a soon to be billion dollar a year economy.  Yes we are small but we have massive promise.  These intrinsic qualities when put into the hands of the right government can bring us back on track to wealth and prosperity for years and decades to come.
“First and foremost, the safety and security of our people, residents and visitors will be at the top of the agenda in the upcoming general election campaign.  We understand the fears, hunger, thirst and the deep longing that exists in the minds, hearts, bellies and souls of our people, which can only be calmed, satisfied, quenched, and fulfilled through political change. We know that our constituents are tired of politicians who make lofty promises during a campaign that remain unfulfilled.  We also know that an outgoing government can sometimes try to preempt the ideas, plans and policies for change that are contemplated by their political opponents. 

“However, despite these tactics we thought it necessary to release our 12-Point Crime Plan early in the campaign. In Parliament, we fought for people who have lost their homes, businesses and property through an unholy arrangement with the Interim Government and TOLCO. 

The PDM, in opposition, has been working, demanding real change in Crown land, in labour rights, in environmental protection, economic relief, the rights of stateless children, expanded access to educational opportunities, civil servant benefits, infrastructural development and maintenance, health care reform, development opportunities, and immigration control.  But none of these things have been perfected thus far from our efforts because the numbers in Parliament to enact laws remain with the government which is precisely why a campaign that details specific credible plans and policies is on the horizon to improve our numbers in parliament with buy-in and the support of the people.

“For the constituencies in Providenciales, to provide a safer and more secure environment is our prime objective.  In addition to our 12-Point Crime Plan, we will implement corresponding initiatives that will bring about a vibrant and affluent business climate, while providing better income earning opportunities for workers, all while paying keen focus to improve our physical environment and infrastructure.  Detailed plans for each constituency will be unveiled to address the specific needs of each community.

“In North, Middle and South Caicos our primary objective will be to develop a sustainable economy so that our people can have opportunities at home.   Our islands will be united through a link from Providenciales to South Caicos by building bridges across our beautiful waters.  This will ultimately light the path to future prosperity.  For the nation’s capital, Grand Turk, and the historic island of Salt Cay, the vision for the future has already been written that will lift these islands up to the prominence they so justly deserves.
“In the upcoming months, our leader, Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson will champion these and other initiatives in a campaign that will bring political change in our country for the betterment of all persons.” 

The PDM has unveiled its five at large candidates: Hon Sharlene Cartwright Robinson, Hon. Hugh-Derek Taylor, Hon. Delroy Williams, Hon. Josephine Connelly, Karen Malcolm and Roberty “Bobby” Been Jr.  Its ten constituency candidates are Hon. Edwin Astwood, Hon. Goldray Ewing, Hon. Sean Astwood, Hon. Delroy Williams, Derek Rolle, Keno Forbes, Ralph Higgs, Ezra Taylor, George Pratt and Douglas Parnell.

by RTC Director

Three males sentenced to prison for Robbery

On Friday 7th October 2016, three of the four (4) males of Grand Turk who plead guilty in the Supreme Court to charges of Robbery in connection with a report that was made on Tuesday 14th June 2016 were sentenced to prison.

It was reported on that date shortly after 12 AM, a 14-year-old (name withheld), 17year-olds Jerry Dossou and Tushawn Higgs, and 18year-old Brian Blenman dressed in dark clothing with masked entered the Ocean View Bar located on West Road Grand Turk with a baseball bat and demanded money from the barmaids. One of the men hit the barmaid with the baseball bat causing injuries to her forehead and arms before getting away with a cash register containing an undisclosed amount of money and a lady’s handbag.

On Saturday 18th June 2016, police arrested and charged all males with robbery. They all plead guilty to the charges on Friday 26th August 2016. Jerry Dossou and Tushawn Higgs was sentenced to 15 months, while Brian Blenman was sentenced to two and half years imprisonment.

by RTC Director

Man arrested and charged for Carrying Unlicenced Firearm

On Tuesday 11th October 2016 around 10:18 AM Tactical Unit officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force arrested a 39-year-old male of Providenciales for the offence of Carrying Unlicensed Firearm.

Security officers at the Providenciales International Airport made the discovery that the male was in possession of a firearm when he attempted to enter through the security checkpoint. As a result, Police was contacted and informed of the findings. A search was conducted where a black “Ruger” handgun with an empty magazine was found.

The man will appear before a Magistrate on Thursday 13th October 2016.

by RTC Director

TCI’s First Annual Lionfish Festival to be GREAT

The Turks & Caicos Islands will be hosting its first annual Lionfish Festival. The Festival, hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Heritage and Culture's along with the Department of Environment & Coastal Resources (DECR) and the Department of Culture, in conjunction with the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund, on Providenciales and Grand Turk respectively and will include a REEF-sanctioned Lionfish Derby. 

"This is not only an event for fishermen, but for families too! At each event we have a jam-packed afternoon planned, where you can watch the Derby's catch be weighed, sample this delicious fish, have your face painted or watch a live dissection; all to some local music!" said DECR Outreach Coordinator, Amy Avenant.

Provo's Lionfish Festival is slated for October 29th at Turtle Cove Marina and Grand Turk's the following week on November 5th 2016, at the Public Library. Although the Derby will kick off at sunrise, festivities will begin at 2pm on each day. So be sure to bring your family and friends along to have fun and to support reef conservation in the Turks & Caicos Islands!

The lionfish derbies will be a single day competition to collect and remove as many lionfish as possible. Teams will collect lionfish by spearing while free diving or snorkelling. Teams will begin competing at sunrise and will be required to bring their catch to the scoring station by 3:00pm (South Caicos residents can participate in the Grand Turk Derby and the School for Field Studies will conduct scoring on South Caicos and report it to the organizers on Grand Turk). Each fish will then be measured, and cash prizes are awarded for teams catching the most, biggest, and smallest lionfish.

by RTC Director