Two key youth programmes for school children this September

A new programme, the TCI Youth Marching Band and the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) aimed at teaching children coping and social skills will be introduced at the beginning of the new school year.

This was announced last week Thursday (July 13) by the Education Minister, Honourable Rachel Taylor, following discussions with high-ranking ministry and police officials about the introduction of these programmes.

Joining the minister in these discussions were the Director of Education, Edgar Howell; Deputy Director of Education, Mark Garland; Director of Youth, Jasmin Parker; Commandant of Cadets, Nimrol Beckles, Johannes Hamilton; Assistant Commissioner of Police Darron Williams; Superintendent Dwight Gardiner and Officer Terry Stewart.

Both programmes target students from grade four to secondary school and are aimed at creating opportunities to aid in the development of children's musical talent and skills, foster discipline, leadership, character, and build moral values.

The D.A.R.E. programme was first introduced in schools in October 2022, with the aim of teaching schoolchildren the skills to resist peer pressure to use tobacco, drugs, and alcohol. This programme also allows students to gain a trustworthy adult friend, develop a positive attitude toward law enforcement personnel, and acquire greater respect for the law.

Currently, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force has seventeen certified D.A.R.E officers tasked with providing guidance to students.

Students from around the Turks and Caicos Islands can register for both programmes through their schools. The Marching Band programme is also open to individuals who have already left secondary school.

Shooting outside of a Grace Bay nightclub leaves one dead, four injured

A brazen drive-by shooting outside a popular nightspot in Grace Bay has left one man dead and four others injured.

On Tuesday morning ( July 18, 2023) shortly after midnight, innocent partygoers scampered for cover as a hail of bullets rained down outside of Shisha Lounge located in Grace Bay, Providenciales, the territory’s main tourism district.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force has launched an investigation into the incident which many believe is related to a volatile ongoing gang rivalry playing out in other parts of the island.

Dozens of spent shells, broken glass, blood-stained sidewalks, and police cordons captured on cellphone videos by onlookers painted the picture of the horrific scene in the tourist hotspot.