GOVERNOR LAUDS PRISON OFFICERS AND WELCOMES NEW SUPERINTENDENT
The Governor Peter Beckingham presented the 4th Annual Prison Officer of the Year Award on 9 February to prison officer Daniel Andrews. Speaking at the Awards ceremony, when Daniel was presented with a cheque for $500 and a medal, the Governor said:
“I am delighted to attend this ceremony for the third year running. It’s a great way of marking the efforts of the prison staff. Their work is tough and demanding, often out of the public spotlight, but essential for the wellbeing of everyone in our society. Congratulations to Daniel Andrews and to all his colleagues for the work that they have done throughout the last year.”
The Governor also noted the contribution that Raymond Grant, the Acting Superintendent, has made since assuming that position some two years ago, and welcomed his successor Steve Barrett. “Ray Grant has kept the show on the road, often in the face of difficult resource issues, and I would like to record my gratitude to him for all his hard work and dedication, while at the same time welcoming the new Superintendent, Steve Barrett, to Turks and Caicos Islands this month.
“Steve comes with a vast amount of experience from the UK prison service, including working with the rehabilitation of young offenders – a subject of great importance for TCI – and training prison officers. We are fortunate to have such an experienced and well qualified Superintendent join us. I’m sure his former skills as a professional soccer player will also be welcomed by the growing band of enthusiastic young soccer players in Grand Turk, their trainers and TCI’s FIFA representative.”
UWI Zika Task Force Launched
Responding to the growing threat the Zika virus poses to the Caribbean region, the University of the West Indies has launched a Regional UWI Zika Task Force that will leverage the university’s extensive public health capabilities and will coordinate its efforts with regional governments and health ministries to combat the virus.
UWI’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sir Hilary Beckles announced that Prof. Clive Landis, Deputy Principal of the Cave Hill, Barbados campus of UWI will chair the Regional Task Force comprising eminent scholars, scientists and public health experts.
Other Task Force members are Angela Rose, Chronic Disease Research Centre, UWI Cave Hill, Infectious Disease Epidemiologist and Member of the Global Outbreak Alert & Response Network (GOARN), WHO; Professor Winston Moore, Department of Economics, UWI Cave Hill, economist; Professor Dave Chadee, Department of Life Science, UWI St. Augustine, Trinidad, Environmental Health Researcher (a.k.a. "the mosquito man"); Dr. Francene Gayle, UWI Mona, Jamaica, Neurologist; Dr. Michael Abraham, Jamaica, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Glenford Howe, UWI Open Campus, Educational Leadership; Professor Dale Webber, UWI Centre, Pro Vice Chancellor Graduate Studies & Research; and Professor Eric van Gorp, Virology and technical support, Erasmus University, The Netherlands.
The UWI Regional Zika Task Force will help inform an aggressive and scientifically based prevention strategy to eliminate breeding sites for Aedes aegypti, The Task Force will work closely with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the ministries to pool resources to research and analyze the Zika outbreak and associated health complications in the Caribbean, and conduct economic impact studies and engage with Ministries on outbreak preparedness.
A regional observatory will collate, organize and disseminate information about the virus and will make the university’s expertise accessible to researchers, government agencies, schools, health facilities and members of the general public.
The UWI Task Force will also convene a major symposium within the next 3 – 4 weeks involving regional ministries of health, donor agencies, national and regional public health agencies and tourism stakeholders.
Furthermore, the Task Force will develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy for ensuring that information about the virus and its effects is shared broadly with the Caribbean public via radio, television, newspapers, the Web and social media platforms.
“The rapid spread of the Zika virus poses serious regional challenges at the levels of public health and safety and sustainable economic development, and as a regional university we have a duty and a responsibility to confront these challenges head on,” said Prof. Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice Chancellor of UWI.
The Vice Chancellor also noted that the UWI is in a good position to work with international donor agencies in order to access resources to facilitate and implement its strategy, and to collaborate with universities and research teams across the hemisphere.
UWI not only has a wide range of relevant technical expertise which it can deploy, but also has accumulated in recent years important experiences and developed successful public health strategies through its efforts to help tackle the challenges of HIV/AIDS, Dengue Fever and Chikungunya.
“The Task Force stands ready to throw its full weight and technical capabilities into the fight against Zika and we look forward to serving the governments, agencies and peoples of the Caribbean in combating this public health emergency,” said Prof. Landis.
He added that “we have been here before with malaria that we successfully eliminated from the Caribbean region and we can do it again even if this mosquito species presents some extra challenges by breeding in the smallest water reservoirs in and around our homes.”
The World Health Organization recently announced the spread of the Zika virus to be a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) that requires the joint efforts of all countries to effectively tackle the problem. The Zika virus now has a classification similar to the Ebola virus and is strongly suspected to be linked to cases of microcephaly, a condition in which babies are born with underdeveloped brains.
Many countries in the Caribbean region have already declared states of emergency over the Zika outbreak. Ministers of Health from the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) have agreed on a harmonized approach to confronting the fast-spreading virus which to date has affected more than 30 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The OECS effort includes monitoring and surveillance, eradication and protection, care and case management, and public education campaigns. Several member states have already started implementing the measures and The OECS Council of Ministers will oversee the harmonization effort.
50 year old male caught burglarizing home
A 50 year old male is assisting the police after having being caught burglarizing a home yesterday in the Turtle Cove area.
Shortly after 5pm (Monday 8th February 2016) a homeowner arrived home and made the discovery. At the time the culprit already had in his possession several beach items and soap powder. Police was informed and the male was taken into custody.
Investigation ongoing into this matter.
Police are urging anyone with information about this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1-800-8477 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: www.crimestoppers.tc, Chalk Sound Police Station 941-8067 or National Crime and Intelligence Bureau (NCIB) via email ncib@tcipolice.tc Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter page.
MOH advises Public on Zika
The Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services would like to advise residents and visitors of the Turks and Caicos Islands that Zika virus has been reported in 20 countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean from February 2014 – 26th January 2016. These countries include;
Brazil
Barbados
Bolivia
Columbia
Ecuador
El Salvador
French Guiana
Guatemala
Guadalupe Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Martinique
Mexico
Panama
Paraguay
Puerto Rico
Saint Martin
Suriname
Venezuela
To date, there are no cases of Zika virus in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Zika virus infection is caused by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito, which isaggressive during the day and also responsible for the transmission of Dengue and Chikungunya.
The most common symptoms of Zika virus infection are mild fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis (also known as pink eye), muscle or joint pain, and general malaise. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week. There is no specific treatment or vaccine for Zika.
Although symptoms of Zika are generally mild, there have been reports of congenital, neurological and autoimmune complications. For reasons that are not fully understood, a relationship has been established between pregnant women infected with Zika and cases of the birth defect microcephaly, which causes abnormally small heads and underdeveloped brains. There has also been some evidence of vertical transmission of the Zika virus from mother to child.
Some countries with Zika have reported an increase in Gullian-Barré syndrome (an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the nerves), and other neurological and autoimmune syndromes. Zika virus can cause other neurological syndromes including meningitis, meningoencephalitis and myelitis, although such syndromes have not been reported in the Region of the Americas thus far.
Due to the prevalence of the Aedes aegypti mosquito in TCI, which can transmit Dengue, Chickungunya and Zika viruses as well as our close proximity and regular flights to countries with confirmed cases of Zika like Haiti and Puerto Rico, the Ministry has taken the following measures:
Intensified surveillance activities
Implemented enhanced vector control measures; e.g., increased fogging
Increased public education about the risks associated with Zika virus, including workshops for targeted groups; and
Encouraged residents and visitors to take every precaution against mosquito bites, particularly pregnant women.
The Ministry further advises that protecting yourself from mosquito bites will help you to stay safe from contracting Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika and if travel is essential to areas experiencing these diseases, especially for pregnant women, remember to exercise extreme caution to avoid mosquito bites.
The Ministry will continue to closely monitor the situation with its regional partners and provide updates to the general public.
To Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites:
Apply insect repellents on exposed skin liberally
When weather permits, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants
Use air conditioning or window/door screens to keep mosquitoes outside
If you are not able to protect yourself from mosquitoes inside your home or hotel, sleep under a mosquito net
Help reduce the number of mosquitoes inside and outside your home by:
Check around buildings for anything that could hold water, inspect your home and yard weekly
Turn containers over or cover them
Get rid of or cover old tires
Properly dispose of all garbage/refuse
Cover boats, children's pools, water drums and rain barrels etc.
Clean rain gutters and make sure they are flowing properly
Check screens for holes
Empty standing water from containers such as flower pots or buckets
Stay with RTC FM for more information.
TCI NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING
The National Security Council met on Monday, 1 February. All the members - the Governor, Premier, Minister of Border Control and Labour, Police Commissioner, Deputy Governor and Attorney General were present.
The Commissioner gave the Council an update on recent developments. Although the figures were not finalised he was optimistic that serious crime would have shown a decrease over the Christmas period compared to last year. He reported on a concentration of police in certain tourist areas, which was well received by visitors and the public.
The Council discussed the recent fire in Grand Turk at the High School, and some subsequent attacks on public vehicles. The Commissioner reported that, while it was too early to apportion responsibility for the fire, he judged that it was most unlikely that it was in any way related to a small reduction in police numbers in Grand Turk. The Commissioner noted that there remained 38 police officers in Grand Turk. Compared to similar size populations in the UK the number remained high. It was important that recent, unrelated incidents should not be viewed as part of a wider pattern.
The Commissioner alerted the Council to the arrival of an investigative group of senior police, who would be in TCI for twelve weeks to review a number of murder cases. This had been funded by the Government.
The Council reviewed the numbers of illegal migrants arriving in TCI, and noted that the total number of arrivals had been more limited in recent months, and were also considerably fewer in individual vessels. The British Ambassador to the Dominican Republic was arranging for calls by the Governor and Minister of Border Control on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Santo Domingo to discuss illegal fishing and maritime issues.
The Council agreed that the National Security Council Advisory Group should meet in March, when the Commissioner would present a summary of the Police Force's new Strategic Threat and Risk Assessment.
The Premier raised his recent meeting with the National Security Services Association, and the Council agreed that it would be helpful for Cabinet to review a paper on the security industry in TCI, and the possibility of introducing a moratorium on new companies.
Commissioner of Police Speaks Out
Following the recent fire at Helena Jones Robinson High School (HJRHS) on Grand Turk, there has been rumor and speculation about the cause of that fire, some acts of vandalism and a perceived link to the deployment of Police Officers in the nation’s capital.
Decisions about the numbers and use of officers are always contentious. These decisions are only taken following extensive internal consultation and careful consideration by the Force Executive Team. Our aim is always to ensure that we make the best use of resources and target our efforts to maximum effect. From time to time, this can create a perception of ‘winners’ and losers’ in the eyes of the public and a belief that they are, or are about to suffer a diminished service.
In relation to Grand Turk we considered a number of significant factors that influenced our decision making; it is the nation’s capital and seat of Government; it receives a large influx of visitors when cruise ships dock; citizens deserve an effective police presence commensurate with crime patterns and social conditions and that police numbers must reflect the volume of calls for assistance received.
Presently, there are 38 police officers deployed in Grand Turk, which has recently been reduced from a previous deployment of 46. This is a significant number of officers in relation to the size of the resident community.
Police numbers alone are not the solution to many of the issues facing us in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Partnership working and a shared understanding of the challenges and potential solutions is fundamental to making the country safe. Improving the skills of officers and ensuring that they have the tools to carry out their duty is equally important. The officer in charge of the Division is confident that he has the resources required to do the job and whilst we will not reveal actual numbers on patrol at any given time, reports by some media that two officers are on night duty are wide of the mark.
Our response time to calls for assistance is very good and reported crime in Grand Turk continues to diminish year on year. Every reported crime is thoroughly investigated and when appropriate specialist officers are called to assist uniform colleagues.
Our inquiries into HJRHS continue, we are following positive leads and the investigation is progressing, but I would urge anyone with information that may assist us to make contact with any police officer.
Education Ministry walks through HJ Robinson
The Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services, Honorable Akierra Missick on Wednesday, 3 February was able to officially conduct a walk through of the H J Robinson School Administrative Building which was destroyed by fire on Friday 29 January.
This was the first opportunity the Minister and her team had, for a first hand view of the fire which destroyed the top floor of the new Administrative Building. This building housed several class rooms, principal and vice principal offices and library. Also destroyed in the fire were years of school records and much of the newly acquired equipment and office supplies including, white boards, chairs and desks and computers.
Today the Minister, Permanent Secretary Cherylann Jones and Deputy Secretary Russell Cox , representatives from The Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning Public Works Department (PWD) Mark McAulay and Norman Watts and principal of the High School, Mr. Reinwald Lewis, were given the all clear to visit the site.
After viewing the burnt building, the Minister and her team were visibly shaken. The Minister noted; "It is indeed quite sad to be at this site and to see this destruction. My heart goes out to the staff and students who must witness this destruction to their dear school."
She continued; "It took some time to construct the building and fully furnish it and now to see all the labor and effort up in smoke, is disheartening.'
The Minister noted that Government will commit all the necessary resources to ensure that re building is started as soon as possible. She thanked the principal, staff and students, Public Works Department, police, fire department, Disaster Management and the community of Grand Turk in particular for their support during this very unfortunate time.
Based on the visit and the advice of the experts it was deemed necessary to begin school on Monday 8th February. It is expected that before then, PWD will construct a permanent barrier to corner off the affected building and ensure the health and safety of the students and staff who occupy the campus.
Steps to ensure the speedy rebuilding of the block have already begun. PWD has already marshalled its resources to ensure a structural report is received by the end of the week and have engaged the services of the required persons for a design and costing for tendering once funds are fully available.
The police are continuing investigations into the cause of the fire and have officers on hand collecting and securing the necessary evidence.
School reopens on Monday 8th of February and there will be a general assembly on Thursday 4th for students and teachers at the school
20year old female arrested for Wounding
Investigators of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police (RTCIPF) have arrested a 20year old female of Five Cays for wounding after a report was made of an incident on Saturday 6th February 2016.
Shortly after 8:00 pm RTCIPF officers responded to an area in Five Cays where a male was found complaining of pain and informed officers that he was stabbed on the left side of the stomach by the female during a fight between them.
He was taken to the Chalk Sound Medical Centre for treatment.
Investigations are ongoing.
Police are urging anyone with information about this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1-800-8477 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: www.crimestoppers.tc, Chalk Sound Police Station 941-8067 or National Crime and Intelligence Bureau (NCIB) via email ncib@tcipolice.tc Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter page.
Chanderpaul was not forced to retire, says WICB
The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is refuting a suggestion that it forced veteran cricketer Shivnarine Chanderpaul to retire from international cricket so that he can play in the inaugural Masters Cricket League (MCL) T20 currently underway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Chanderpaul is claiming that a No Objection Certificate issued to him by the WICB contained a threatening clause which forced him to call time on his international career.
WICB issued NOCs to four players, including Chanderpaul, to facilitate their participation in the MCL, a tournament approved by the International Cricket Council for players who have retired from international cricket.
Chanderpaul told ESPN cri-cin-fo that he was given a No Objection Certificate by WICB with a clause in it that he retires on the 23rd. “If I didn’t announce my retirement they would have taken it back,” he said.
However, the WICB said the NOC’s were granted on the basis that the players were “well aware of their decisions to retire from international cricket and therefore allowing them to be eligible for participation in the inaugural tournament.”
The other players who were granted NOC’s are Tino Best, Krishmar Santokie and Fidel Edwards.
The WICB statement made little reference to Best, Santokie and Edwards, but listed Chanderpaul’s series of low scores in his last Test matches.
“Kindly advise by 4:30pm Eastern Caribbean Time on Saturday 23 January, 2016 in writing if you have retired from International cricket,” stated the note from the Operations department of the WICB to the players.
“Should you not indicate by the deadline we will be forced to revoke any NOC issued for the tournament.”
The 41-year-old was sacked last May after playing against England in the Caribbean where he scored 46 and 13 runs in the first Test, one and seven in the second and 25 and 0 in the third.
Chanderpaul is expected to turn out for leaders Guyana Jaguars when the WICB Professional Cricket League (PCL) resumes next week.
Meridian Club, Pine Cay changes its name to The Meridian Club, Turks and Caicos
Some news coming out of Pine Cay suggest that with the change in the islands, there has now come the time for a change at the resort.
A contribution by Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, CJ Travel Editor of Carib Journal, says Time’s they are a changin’ in the Turks and Caicos Islands, where the private-island resort formerly known as The Meridian Club, Pine Cay is changing its name to The Meridian Club, Turks and Caicos.
The resort says that the subtle but significant change is happening because most potential guests are searching “Turks and Caicos” online, and the new name change, it hopes, will help increase its visibility on the web.
Other changes ushered in this season include a new general manager, Debbie Keller, and the promotion of pastry chef Sarah Spudowski to the position of executive chef. Spudowski will be revamping the menu of the resort’s restaurant, now renamed The Meridian Club Bistro and open to the public by reservation.
Air-conditioning has also recently been added to some of the rooms on the 800-acre island that’s 15 minutes by boat from Providenciales. And there’s now free WI-FI throughout the property. Staying true to its disconnected away-from-it-all vibe, there are still no clocks, radios or TVs in the rooms, and “shoes are optional.”