Acting Governor H.E. Anya Williams and the Hon. Premier Charles Washington Misick co-chaired a special meeting of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) National Security Council (NSC) on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the Office of the Governor, Raleigh House, Graceway Plaza, Providenciales.
Also in attendance were:
• Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier
• Hon. Arlington Musgrove, Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development
• Hon. Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles KC, Attorney General
• Mr. Tito Lightbourne, Permanent Secretary, National Security Secretariat
• Mr. Fitz Bailey, Commissioner of Police
• Mr. Rodney Adams, Deputy Commissioner of Police
• Mr. Dwight Gardiner, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police
• Colonel Ennis Grant, Commanding Officer, TCI Regiment
• Ms. Latoya Mitchell, Acting Director General, TCI Border Force
• Mr. John Purdy, National Security Advisor
• Ms. Swarzuette John, Threat Lead, National Security Secretariat
Serious Crime Briefing:
· The Commissioner of Police updated the Council on two (2) major national security incidents:
1.Fatal Shooting – July 21, 2025
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) has issued a Wanted Notice in connection with this incident, which resulted in the deaths of two (2) males. The Force is actively pursuing the arrest of a named individual.
2.Fatal Shooting – July 27, 2025
Initial investigations have classified this incident, which claimed three (3) lives and left ten (10) others injured, as gang-related. Two (2) suspects have been arrested and the RTCIPF is pursuing multiple leads. Significant intelligence-led resources have been deployed to address the situation.
Agreed National Security Measures:
In response to recent events and in the interest of enhancing public safety, the NSC agreed to implement the following measures:
· Emergency Powers: Amend the Disaster Management Ordinance to include National Security and Public Order provisions. This would allow the Commissioner of Police, based on national security assessments, to declare specific areas as Disaster Zones, enabling curfews, revised business hours and other safety measures.
· Liquor Licence Legislation: Initiate a comprehensive review of Business and Liquor Licensing legislation to include mandatory police vetting and security assessments for all liquor-licensed establishments.
· Underage Alcohol Enforcement: Develop legislation to impose strict penalties and fines on establishments that violate age restrictions related to the sale and entry of minors into licensed premises.
Informal Settlement Briefing:
The Council welcomed the attendance of:
· Justice Carlos Simons KC, Strategic Lead, Informal Settlement Unit
· Mrs. Bridgette Newman, Permanent Secretary, Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development
· Mrs. Tatum Clerveaux, Deputy Secretary, National Land Secretariat
· Mr. Dainer Lightbourne, Director of Planning
· Ms. Michelle Richardson, Operations Lead, Informal Settlements Unit
A detailed briefing was provided on recent efforts to address and dismantle informal settlements in the TCI, which in many instances were being used to harbour criminals.
Following this briefing, the following actions were agreed upon:
· Disaster Area Declaration: Official declaration of Block/Parcel 60503/17, Mary Jane Lane, Blue Hills as a Disaster Area for 90 days, effective July 29, 2025. This declaration is due to unsafe and uninhabitable conditions following the recent fire on July 24, 2025. This declaration will restrict access to unauthorised personnel and will prevent reconstruction at this time in the area.
· Accelerated Action Plan: Fast-tracking of initiatives to address informal settlements throughout the Islands.
· Enforcement Review: A review of the Planning and other relevant ordinances to revise the enforcement and evacuation timelines and framework in cases where informal settlements pose national security concerns.
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Further updates and details on these matters will be provided in due course.
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