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.”
Police investigates three (3) separate incidents of arm robbery on Providenciales
Investigators of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands (RTCIPF) are investigating one (1) attempted robbery and two (2) separate reports of armed robbery that occurred in different areas of Blue Hills last night.
At about 4:50 pm (Tuesday 2nd February 2016), a 74year old male and his wife were bird watching in the Wheeland area when they were confronted by a tall and dark slim built male with a mask over his face pointing a gun at them who demanded cash and a wedding ring. The 74year old man managed to escape and reported the incident to the police. Police searched the area; however, the masked man was not located.
Also, at 9:51pm Tuesday, a 36 year old male along with his wife had just arrived home in the area of Snake Hill when they were approached by three (3) masked men described to be 5’10”, dark complexion and slim built; who pointed a gun and knives at them and got away with a lady's handbag.
At 10:48pm the same night, a 20 year old male and his sister were walking home in the vicinity of the Clement Howell High School when they were also approached by three (3) masked men described to be 5’10”, dark complexion, slim built and at the time wearing black hoodie and short pants pointed a gun at them and demanded cash. The suspects got away with two (2) cellular phones.
Police searched the areas for the suspects, but none was found.
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. The 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.
Decreased Global Fuel Costs Bring Massive Electricity Savings
As world market prices for crude oil continue to fall, FortisTCI customers are receiving major savings passed on by the Company through monthly electricity bills. The fuel factor was at a peak in August 2014 at $0.2447 and has since declined 60% to $.0999 in December 2015. This new rate reflected on customers’ January 2016 bills. With global fuel prices this low, there should be a relative decline in the cost of living throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands.
In mid-January crude oil prices are reported to have dropped to a 12 year low, trading below $35 a barrel. Considering the fuel factor (or power cost adjustment) is based on the world market price at the time purchased, FortisTCI customers may see further savings, depending on further declines in the world oil prices. The savings that customers are receiving is an indication that the present regulatory framework works to the benefit of all stakeholders. When fuel prices are increasing, it allows the Company to recover sufficient cash-flows to pay for the necessary fuel to ensure the continuity of services. When fuel prices are declining, these savings are passed on immediately to the benefit of electricity customers.
When the fuel factor was at a peak in August 2014, average bills inclusive of the then fuel factor rate for residential customers in Providenciales was $252. That average dropped to $177 in January 2016. Average bills for commercial customers in Providenciales when the fuel factor was at a peak in August 2014 was $1,552. The average bill for commercial customers has declined to $926 in January 2016.
FortisTCI President and CEO, Mr. Eddinton Powell, said, “We are pleased that our customers are seeing reductions in their electricity bills. The calculations of the monthly Fuel Factor is verified independently by the Energy and Utilities Commissioner’s Office, prior to implementation; thus ensuring that electricity customers’ interest is protected. However, we constantly stress to our customers the importance of managing their energy consumption for long term power-costs savings.” Mr. Powell added that “the volatilities of the world market make it difficult to predict future pricing, and while our customers can enjoy the benefits of lower electricity prices as of results of lower fuel prices, the Company continues to pursue other means of bringing potential savings to customers. For example, we commissioned and recently completed a study on ways in which to streamline the fuel supply chain to the Turks and Caicos Islands. We are actively investigating how the findings of the report can be implemented to the benefit of our customers.”
In November 2015, FortisTCI launched its renewable energy programs CORE & UORE, now available to customers in Providenciales. The renewable energy programs will be extended to Grand Turk in 2016. These programs allow electricity consumers to sell electricity into the grid. The Company has set a target to avoid burning 19,000 barrels of oil in 2020 through the integration of rooftop Solar PV systems.
In addition, the Company offers free energy audits to residential customers. More information on this free program can be obtained from the Company’s Customer Service Department.
PUBLIC FORECAST FOR THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT
GENERAL SITUATION: A COLD FRONT OVER THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE ACROSS THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL ISLANDS TODAY CREATING GUSTY WINDS TO NEAR GALE FORCE AND COOLER TEMPERATURES. THE FRONT WILL MERGE WITH A FRONTAL BOUNDARY OVER THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS LATER TONIGHT OR EARLY TOMORROW MORNING.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: BOATERS IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS SHOULD REMAIN IN PORT DUE TO HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS AND BEACH GOERS SHOULD REFRAIN FROM ENTERING THE WATERS DUE TO THE HIGH RISK OF DANGEROUS RIP CURRENTS ALONG THE BEACHES.
TURKS AND CAICOS
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY AND BREEZY WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS THIS AFTERNOON, FAIR AND COOL TONIGHT WITH THE CHANCE AND A BRIEF PASSING SHOWER
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT CAUTION REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS
WINDS: WEST TO NORTHWEST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS OVER THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS BUT NORTH TO NORTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS OVER THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
SEAS: 4 TO 6 FEET OVER THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND 2 TO 4 FEET IN THE SOUTHEASTERN BAHAMAS BUT HIGHER IN NORTHEASTERLY SWELLS
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE: 72°F 22°C
OVERNITE LOW TEMPERATURE: 61°F 16°C
SUNSET: 06:00 PM MOONSET: 07:21 PM LOW TIDE: 02:29 PM
SUNRISE:06:48 AM WED. MOONRISE: 08:12 AM WED. HIGH TIDE: 08:28 PM LOW TIDE: 02:39 AM WED.
HIGH TIDE: 08:52 AM WED.
Road from the Tourist Board to West Road stretch is now a one way
The Director of Road Safety and Transport advises the motoring public that Front Street Grand Turk going north from the Tourist Board Office onto West Road, straight down to the end of West Road by Mitch Rolling’s House, is now a one way street effective 1 February 2016.
Duke Street, starting from the Osprey Beach Hotel, going north passing LIME on Queen Street, remains a one way street, in addition now to Front Street that stretches north onto the end of West Road.
During RTC’s evening traffic report Wednesday, an officer from the traffic division of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands (RTCIPF), Constable Damian Mitchell, said now is as good a time as any to sensitize the public to this change.