‘Operation Daylight’ targets popular nightclub

BY DELANA ISLES

Police were out in force last Friday night at an event held at the Versace Bar and Lounge as part of a series of operations to tackle national security issues.

While the promoter of the show was frustrated that his event was chosen for the operation, many residents have commended the police for the proactive move.

The nightclub is known for hosting international stars, the likes of the Kardashians to international rapper Drake, among others; however, it is also a known hotspot for criminal activities among disruptive patrons during special events.

The policing operation which was carried out between the hours of 12:45am and 2:50am at the Leeward Highway nightspot in Providenciales, is the first of many aimed at preventing and disrupting incidents of violent crimes and those who may be involved.

Residents commended the work of the police under their social media post of the operation, calling it an “excellent job” and others encouraged such operations at major checkpoints on the island.

“Lovely! Lovely! Lovely! This was very much needed. Keep up the good work officers,” one commenter wrote.

– first operation under amended policing legislation

However, others were against the move, referring to it as harassment of young men who are out enjoying themselves, laying the blame for the operation at the feet of the seconded cops.

“This is just insane ridiculous and not call for...at a night club where people go to enjoy themselves to relieve stress after a long week yinna Bahamian police gone in there harassing people...that is pure nonsense leave people alone and stop harassing people because those young men aint doing nothing wrong those Bahamian officers do the same thing when its time to have fun…”

The promoter of the event, DJ Shakes, was not pleased either, writing on social media: “Imagine having an awesome night out and the law enforcement bull rush the club to search for drugs and firearm like we in Iraq or something, this was the upmost (sic) unprofessional operation I’ve ever seen in my life living in Turks and Caicos.”

As police converged at the location, patrons could be seen exiting the building as officers entered the establishment to carry out searches.

Woman drowns at Grand Turk beach

Police reported this week of the accidental drowning of a senior who was out for a day of swimming.

The incident occurred at about 11:00am on Tuesday, February 28, at a beach in the vicinity of Close Haul Road in Grand Turk.

Based on preliminary reports, a 63-year-old woman went swimming at the beach and got into difficulties. Shortly after her body was pulled from the sea at about 11:53am, she was pronounced dead by a medical doctor.

Police are continuing their investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death.

As part of the operation, the Commissioner of Police gave authority to the officers to search persons and vehicles at the location. At the end of those searches, a quantity of marijuana was confiscated.

That authority is legally mandated under section 36 A (1) (a) of the Police Force (Amended) Ordinance 2022. The legislation was passed in late 2022 as part of the new Ordinances to tackle national security issues.

This was the first occasion that the amended legislation was applied.

Heading the operation was Superintendent Dean Holden, Head of Crime, Safeguarding and Public Protection, who later spoke on it.

He said the operation was aimed at disrupting serious and organised crime and was undertaken as a result of intelligence received “suggesting individuals involved in criminality were attending the event.

“Additionally, events of this nature have in the past resulted in incidents of serious violent crime.”

One such occasion resulted in the shooting to death of Andrieka Stubbs, an innocent bystander mistakenly shot on March 23, 2018, by Malik Cox as he attempted to shoot someone with whom he had a grievance.

Cox is currently serving a 30year life sentence for Stubb’s murder, after his appeal to the Privy Council in December 2022 was dismissed.

Superintendent Holden said the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force will continue to be proactive in undertaking such operations to reduce crime and fear of crime.

“I want to thank the public for their assistance by alerting the RTCIPF to incidents of crime and the suspected perpetrators.”

Meanwhile, police continue to encourage the public to share whatever information they may have regarding any illegal activity in the territory with their nearest police station, or by calling Crime Stoppers anonymously. All Crime Stoppers calls are answered in Miami and in Houston by Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers which is a non-profit and not a police agency.