Article: Boots on the Ground
Jamell Robinson
Boots on the Ground
Stepping into a new year and a new decade has unfortunately brought with it the “same ol same ol” as it relates to heinous crime in the TCI, which I will not repeat here as we all are aware and are affected by it daily. Listening to the press conference for the roll out of the National Security Strategy provides a sense that in the medium and long term there are some workable plans that will bear fruit in the future. From the increasing the overall police force by 20% by March 2021 to the establishing our Defense Force, or even the naming for the first time a Permanent Secretary with responsibility for National Security.
However, what gives me pause and does not bring me and I assume any resident of the Turks and Caicos Islands comfort is the fact that there are no immediate solutions to this very real and present crime situation. After starting the year off in the way we have I am concerned with the perceived lack of a sense of urgency by our National Security Leadership Team.
My suggestion is simply to deploy at least 50-75
highly trained and experienced tactical officers for serious violent crimes and
drug enforcement and an additional 50 - 75 UK Troops with clear responsibility
for rounding up illegal immigrants. This engagement should be for at least 6
months with clear terms of reference and should only be extended with the
expressed consent of our every member of our National Security Leadership Team.
The reason the surge is needed is
because our hard working men and women of the RTCIPF need some breathing room
to get the training and additional personnel on the ground to be able to
sustainably deal with this ongoing crisis.
If executed correctly, there will be mass
detention, and consequentially, there must be a plan to house both detained
illegal immigrants awaiting repatriation as well as detained arrestees awaiting
court hearings. We can also seek temporary support for the Department of Public
Prosecution to manage the influx of cases. It is clear that a
great presence in the short- term is needed on the ground as criminals have no
fear of being caught, stopped, persecuted, or punished in our present state. While
National Security is the responsibility of the UK, those affected by the lack
there of, are the citizens and residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Consequently there should be joint funding of this initiative.
Stay Safe TCI,
Jamell Robinson, PNP All Island Candidate