In 2024, Turks and Caicos had a record year for tourism. Almost two million visitors descended upon the islands, marking a record-shattering year for the Caribbean territory. Yet the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is still reeling from a recent surge in violent crime. Even more concerning, they are experiencing a toxicological tide of deathly shootings as this unexpected wave continues to evolve. Booming tourism and increasing violence collide on the islands. This tension creates a nagging worry about the long-term viability of such an economy that relies on a transient population.
Crime has skyrocketed, with 48 intentional homicides last year making the territory the world’s per capita homicide capital of Latin America and the Caribbean. Today the tourism industry is booming. Some economists predict the creative industry would constitute at least two-thirds of the economy. In fact, before half time of the 2024-2025 fiscal year, it has already raked in an astounding $250 million (£186 million). As of mid-August, there have already been 24 reported homicides so far this year. This includes a recent historic mass shooting in July, which incredibly led to four deaths and nine injuries.
The local government, headed by Premier Washington Misick, has been vocal about the increasing crime wave. Misick has been calling upon leaders within the Haitian community for assistance. He frames the dilemma of addressing crime while the visitor economy surges. Turks and Caicos’ proximity to Haiti is both a blessing and a curse. While this closeness increases the capacity for bilateral trade and movement, it provides fertile ground for the violence to flow into the islands. Most alarmingly, the majority of those killed so far this year have been Haitian nationals.
And it would seem the crime surge is definitely hitting Haitian communities the hardest. Jacques, a Louisville resident, emphasized the immediate crises families are facing. Even more complicated are the legal status issues faced by many of these families for their children born on the islands. He explained, “Most of the time the parents want the kids to remain here, rather than go to Haiti, where it’s chaos. So they stay with friends, family, church members.” Jacques noted that “a lot of kids fall through the cracks,” as their parents grapple with maintaining their livelihoods in a tumultuous environment.
The UK government has more recently intervened on behalf of Turks and Caicos. In the last two years alone, they have provided £9 million in security assistance. This support includes coastal surveillance systems, patrol boats, and contracted firearms officers—strategies designed to enhance the capacity of local law enforcement. However, even with these efforts residents like Jacques are still on edge about their safety. He recounted personal experiences of crime, stating, “They were held at gunpoint by a guy who entered the country illegally on a boat. I am just one example.”
Even the more optimistic Tourism Minister Zhavargo Jolly did admit that crime was a major challenge. Even with this conundrum, tourism is booming. He articulated well the need to strike a balance on public safety with a desire to grow the economy. Helping to promote tourism is central to finding that balance. Despite the recent surge in visitors, which suggests that tourists are not pricked with worry by the spike in crime pessimism at this moment.
Jacques highlighted how pervasive violence has become in everyday life, noting that “they’re picking people up on every corner, every street, on the road, at workplaces.” Despite current challenges, many locals are in love with their community and see its economic potential. This all-consuming fear has forced some of them to even contemplate permanently departing the islands. “Some are even leaving. We all love the islands, the economy is good, but the crime environment is terrible,” he lamented.
The ability for children born in Turks and Caicos to undocumented parents to gain legal status is highly problematic. This issue has wider implications that need to be addressed. Wilkie Arthur, an advocate for children’s rights in the region, remarked on the systemic challenges these children face: “Every graduating year, a lot of the kids don’t have proper documents. Some are very bright and take their education seriously, but what do they do if they want to eat and survive?”
As Turks and Caicos navigates this complex landscape of booming tourism alongside rising crime rates, it faces critical choices about its future direction. The government must balance immediate security needs with long-term economic sustainability while considering the well-being of its residents and visitors alike.