Travelers will need to be on extra alert when heading to Turks and Caicos.
On Tuesday, March 4, the U.S. State Department updated its Turks and Caicos Islands Travel Advisory to a Level 2 encouraging tourists to “Exercise Increased Caution” due to the increased number of crime reports in popular areas of the vacation destination.
The advisory cautions that most crime occurring on the islands is happening in the Providenciales area, which may be susceptible to heightened activity because of the location’s “limited investigatory resources” for its police force.
Also included in the notice is updated information regarding traveling with weaponry. “Firearms and ammunition, including single bullets brought by mistake in carry-on bags or luggage, are illegal,” it reads. “Travelers face arrest, jail time, and heavy fines,” adding that “offenders can face 12 years or more in prison.”
With Turks and Caicos’ growing reputation as a go-to destination for spring breakers, the advisory update is more than warranted, as it notes the Department of State “cannot guarantee your release” if a traveler is detained while vacationing. The update also comes on the heels of a fatal incident that occurred in January.
On Saturday, Jan. 18, American tourist Shamone A. Duncan, 50, was near a restaurant in Grace Bay (about eight miles from Providenciales) with local resident Dario Stubbs when she was shot by an unidentified assailant.
“Responding officers discovered three individuals injured during the shooting, one of whom succumbed to injuries at the scene while the other at the hospital,” Acting Commissioner Rodney Adams said at the time, according to a news release.
At the time of the shooting, Duncan was celebrating her sister’s birthday at a rooftop party at Aziza Restaurant & Lounge in Providenciales.
Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) reported, “There is no evidence to suggest that Ms. Duncan, Mr. Stubbs or the wounded victim were the targets of this incident,” and no suspects nor arrests had been made.
Tourists can keep watch of the travel advisory notices — next levels being three and four, which either advise to “reconsider travel” or discourage traveling to the area altogether — from the Department of State website.
Read the full article here
