Carib Scope

分类： society

  • First responders ready in event of ‘worst-case scenario’ , says Fire Chief Letang

    First responders ready in event of ‘worst-case scenario’ , says Fire Chief Letang

    Dominica’s Fire and Ambulance Services have implemented a robust safety strategy for the upcoming carnival festivities, according to Chief Fire Officer Wayne Letang. Speaking at a pre-Carnival press conference organized by the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force, Letang emphasized his department’s commitment to ensuring all events proceed without incident while maintaining readiness for emergency response.

    The comprehensive safety plan includes continuous monitoring of carnival routes through regular walkthroughs by personnel from both Roseau and Portsmouth stations. Letang acknowledged that while authorities hope for incident-free celebrations, they are preparing for worst-case scenarios, particularly during Carnival Monday and Tuesday activities in Roseau.

    Addressing traffic safety concerns, the Fire Chief specifically cautioned motorists against alcohol-impaired driving, emphasizing that ‘drinking alcohol and driving is not a good combination.’ He recommended that party groups designate sober chauffeurs and urged all road users to observe traffic signs and police regulations strictly.

    Public safety advisories include avoiding restricted areas, following police-designated routes, and maintaining clear roadways where carnival activities aren’t scheduled. Letang particularly warned carnival revelers that alcohol consumption could impair judgment and decision-making capabilities, urging attendees to ‘keep themselves in a safe mode at all times.’

    The Dominica Fire and Ambulance Services will maintain heightened vigilance across all eight island stations throughout the carnival period, ensuring rapid response capability while working collaboratively with the Dominica Festival Committee and local organizing committees.

  • Two More Charged in Ladyville Murder

    Two More Charged in Ladyville Murder

    Belizean authorities have intensified their investigation into a January homicide case with the arrest and formal charging of two additional suspects. Izaiah Nigel Beeks and Camryn Lozano now face murder charges in connection with the fatal shooting of Elroy Edward Bainton, bringing the total number of accused individuals to three.

    The developments come approximately three weeks after the initial incident, which occurred on the evening of January 25, 2026, in the Ladyville area of Belize District. According to police reports, the violent attack took place outside the Jew Apartment Complex on Yellow Tail Street, where Bainton sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

    Emergency services transported the victim to a medical facility, where he was subsequently pronounced dead. Law enforcement officials have indicated that this killing represents one of two interconnected fatal shootings that evening, with both incidents allegedly stemming from an internal dispute within drug trafficking circles.

    The investigation previously led to the arrest of twenty-one-year-old Caryl Paul Rodas, a construction worker from Burrell Boom, who had been the sole suspect charged until this recent development. The expansion of the case suggests ongoing investigative efforts by Belizean police to identify all parties involved in the organized violence.

    Authorities have not disclosed whether additional suspects remain at large or if further charges are anticipated as the investigation continues to unfold. The case highlights ongoing challenges with drug-related violence in the region and law enforcement’s response to organized criminal activities.

  • What Led to the Double Murder in Belmopan?

    What Led to the Double Murder in Belmopan?

    The Belizean capital of Belmopan was struck by tragedy on Friday evening as two young men fell victim to a fatal shooting incident. Calvert Webster, 20, from Mahogany Heights, and Zamar Alvarez, 21, a resident of Belmopan City, were fatally shot while walking with companions at approximately 7:45 PM.

    Official reports from the Belize Police Department indicate that an unidentified assailant discharged a firearm in the direction of the group, striking both victims multiple times and inflicting critical injuries. Emergency services transported the wounded men to a nearby medical facility, where attending physicians subsequently pronounced them deceased.

    The community response has been characterized by profound grief and disbelief. Social media platforms have become virtual memorials where friends and acquaintances express their shock and sorrow. One tribute described Webster as “a very humble, very mannerly young man,” while another mourner expressed being moved to tears by the tragedy, emphasizing that neither victim deserved their fate.

    Law enforcement authorities have not yet disclosed any potential motive for the violent attack. The Belize Police Department has announced plans to provide additional information to media representatives during a scheduled briefing on Monday as their investigation continues to develop.

  • Van Dijk en Punwasi herkozen in Advocaten Tuchtcollege

    Van Dijk en Punwasi herkozen in Advocaten Tuchtcollege

    In a significant development for Suriname’s legal community, the Surinamese Bar Association (SOVA) conducted elections on Saturday for positions within the Advocaten Tuchtcollege (ATC), the nation’s Attorney Disciplinary Council. The special general membership assembly, convened at the Lalla Rookh building, witnessed the participation of 160 legal professionals exercising their voting rights.

    The election results confirmed the re-appointment of Nailah van Dijk and Sandra Punwasi-Raghoebier as attorney members of the disciplinary body. Both incumbents secured renewed four-year mandates following a competitive selection process that featured five candidates vying for these principal positions.

    Additionally, the assembly elected Benito Pick and Sardha Sitaram as deputy members to the council. This contingent was selected from a pool of eight candidates competing for substitute roles within the disciplinary framework.

    The proceedings underscore the legal community’s commitment to maintaining professional standards through democratic processes. The re-election of experienced members suggests continuity in the disciplinary council’s approach to overseeing attorney conduct and ethics within Suriname’s judicial system.

  • Man killed by cop ‘was known to him’

    Man killed by cop ‘was known to him’

    New evidence has surfaced contradicting official police narratives regarding last week’s fatal shooting of a 28-year-old man by an off-duty officer in Kemp Road. While Police Press Liaison Chief Superintendent Sheria King initially described the deceased as an “unknown” male encountered at the officer’s Margaret Street residence, community sources have identified him as Makaveli Tinker, a local father known to the officer.

    According to residents who spoke anonymously due to safety concerns, the two men had engaged in a prior argument days before Thursday’s fatal confrontation. Witnesses reported hearing heated exchanges immediately preceding the gunshots that claimed Tinker’s life, directly challenging police accounts that described a sudden encounter with an unidentified intruder.

    Chief Superintendent King has since acknowledged that her initial statements reflected preliminary information, confirming the investigation has now been referred to the Coroner’s Court for formal inquiry. The officer involved, described as having served “for a while,” remains subject to the Police Commissioner’s determination regarding active duty status.

    The tragedy marks the first police-involved fatality of the year and reveals a complex personal history for the victim. Tinker had previously been convicted as a minor in the 2015 killing of Queen’s College teacher Joyelle McIntosh, though his conviction was later overturned with a retrial pending at the time of his death.

    Tinker’s life had been marked by profound trauma, having witnessed the double murder of his mother and brother in 2022. Friends described how these losses left him emotionally devastated until the birth of his son redirected his purpose. Those close to him emphasized his recent efforts toward rehabilitation, including car cleaning and handyman work while under curfew, with aspirations to establish his own business after losing regular employment last year.

    Community members remembered Tinker as a helpful presence in Kemp Road, particularly known for assisting elderly residents. The shooting has left both his one-year-old son and the broader community seeking answers and closure as the judicial process moves forward.

  • Symonette: ‘Inhumane’ to deport child killer after serving sentence

    Symonette: ‘Inhumane’ to deport child killer after serving sentence

    A complex legal and humanitarian debate has surfaced in The Bahamas regarding the future of convicted murderer Chris Ferguson, a Haitian national who recently received a 40-year prison sentence for the 2024 killing of 12-year-old Adriel Moxey. The case has drawn attention to immigration policy gaps and moral questions surrounding deportation of long-term inmates.

    Ferguson, 39, accepted a plea deal last week in the strangulation death of the young victim, whose body was discovered in vegetation near Faith Avenue. During court proceedings, the defendant expressed remorse and offered an apology for his actions.

    The immigration status of Ferguson has become a central point of controversy. Officials confirmed that while the Haitian national had applied for Bahamian citizenship in 2010 with Cabinet granting preliminary approval, he never completed the mandatory requirements. These included submitting necessary documentation and taking the oath of allegiance, meaning he never formally obtained citizenship despite widespread speculation to the contrary.

    Former Immigration Minister Brent Symonette has characterized the potential deportation of Ferguson after his prison term as ‘inhumane,’ noting the convict would be approximately 70 years old upon release. Symonette highlighted systemic issues within immigration processing, explaining that historical application tracking deficiencies have left thousands in legal limbo with incomplete files that were often lost or neglected.

    Symonette described the situation as a ‘big problem’ that creates significant legal gray areas. He argued that deporting someone after decades of incarceration serves little practical purpose, suggesting that allowing such individuals to remain in the country for their remaining years might be the more humane approach.

    The Department of Immigration has not disclosed what specific actions will be taken regarding Ferguson’s status upon completion of his sentence, leaving questions about the resolution of this legal and ethical dilemma unanswered.

  • PIOJ launches Vision 2030 ‘Love Jamaica’ essay competition

    PIOJ launches Vision 2030 ‘Love Jamaica’ essay competition

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a strategic move to harness collective national wisdom, Jamaica’s Planning Institute (PIOJ) has inaugurated the ‘Vision 2030 Jamaica Love Jamaica National Essay Competition.’ This initiative centers on the critical theme of ‘Building a Shockproof Jamaica: My Role in a Resilient Future,’ aiming to actively engage citizens in shaping the nation’s developmental trajectory.

    Samantha Wilmot-Whilby, Localisation and Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator at the Vision 2030 Jamaica Secretariat, announced the competition’s launch during the ‘Love Jamaica Fest’ event at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel. The competition is expressly designed to be inclusive, inviting participation from all Jamaican nationals aged 15 and above. It is structured into three distinct demographic categories: Youth (15–29 years), Adults (30–59 years), and Senior Citizens (60 years and over).

    Ms. Wilmot-Whilby emphasized that this tripartite structure is a deliberate strategy to capture a rich tapestry of intergenerational viewpoints. She contextualized the initiative against a backdrop of significant challenges, noting that Jamaica, akin to many Small Island Developing States (SIDS), has recently endured a series of profound shocks. These encompass global financial instability, the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, assorted health crises, and the escalating threats posed by climate change and environmental fragility. The recent experience of Hurricane Melissa was cited as a stark reminder of the nation’s vulnerability to external risks and its concurrent, remarkable capacity for endurance and recovery.

    Framing the essay competition as far more than an academic exercise, Wilmot-Whilby described it as a vital ‘national conversation.’ This platform invites Jamaicans from every walk of life and generation to introspect, contemplate, and articulate their visions concerning national identity, historical endurance, sources of hope, and actionable strategies for constructing a more robust and resilient Jamaica for posterity.

    The competition’s theme was meticulously selected to motivate each demographic group to contribute their unique ideas, perspectives, and innovative solutions. The overarching goals are to foster a sense of hopefulness and to ensure that these grassroots contributions are in direct alignment with the broader objectives outlined in the national Vision 2030 Jamaica Development Plan.

    Prospective participants are advised to monitor the official social media channels of Vision 2030 Jamaica for forthcoming details regarding the official submission opening date. The process will entail a submission period, followed by a structured judging phase, and will culminate in a formal awards ceremony to recognize the most insightful and impactful entries.

  • Swiss train derails, injuring five

    Swiss train derails, injuring five

    GOppenstein, Switzerland — A regional commuter train derailed in southern Switzerland on Monday morning amid extreme weather conditions, leaving five passengers injured and prompting a major emergency response. The incident occurred as the mountainous region remained under a Level 4 avalanche alert—the second-highest danger rating.

    According to local police, preliminary investigations suggest an avalanche crossed the railway tracks moments before the train’s passage. The public prosecutor’s office has launched a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the derailment.

    The train, carrying 29 passengers at approximately 7:00 AM local time, was exiting the critical Lotschberg rail tunnel—a major transportation artery—when the accident occurred. While one injured passenger required hospitalization, the remaining travelers were successfully evacuated to safety despite continuing avalanche threats and heavy snowfall in the area.

    Swiss Federal Railways (CFF) confirmed the immediate suspension of all rail services between Goppenstein and Brig stations due to avalanche risks. The village of Goppenstein, situated at 1,216 meters elevation, serves as a vital logistics hub for both road and rail transport through the Alpine region.

    This incident follows another avalanche event last Thursday that buried portions of the main roadway connecting the Lotschental valley to Goppenstein, though that earlier incident resulted in no injuries.

    Separately, Swiss authorities issued evacuation orders for multiple areas within the Orsières municipality due to severe weather patterns, including strong winds and forecasted heavy rainfall.

    Switzerland’s rail network, celebrated globally for its precision and extensive coverage through challenging terrain, has seen declining accident rates despite increasing usage. Government statistics confirm the Swiss remain Europe’s most frequent rail users per capita. This incident marks the most significant rail disruption since a 2023 storm caused dual derailments near Bern, injuring fifteen people.

  • Police release composite sketches of Portland shooting suspects

    Police release composite sketches of Portland shooting suspects

    PORTLAND, Jamaica — Law enforcement authorities in Portland have publicly circulated composite sketches depicting two individuals sought for questioning in a serious firearms incident. The event occurred in the Mount Hermon vicinity of Swift River on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 4.

    According to official reports, the incident unfolded at approximately 3:00 p.m. when an unidentified male pedestrian was ambushed. A grey Suzuki Swift motor vehicle abruptly halted near the victim, from which an armed assailant disembarked and discharged multiple rounds. The victim sustained gunshot wounds before the perpetrator swiftly fled the scene in the awaiting vehicle.

    Following the formal reporting of the assault to local authorities, detectives from the Portland police division collaborated with the victim to generate detailed composite illustrations of two potential suspects. The police have initiated a public appeal, directly urging the implicated individuals to voluntarily surrender themselves at the Port Antonio Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) or any nearby police facility without delay.

    Concurrently, investigators are soliciting assistance from the broader community, encouraging any persons possessing relevant information to step forward. Confidential tips can be directed to the Port Antonio CIB at 876-715-0013, the national Crime Stop hotline at 311, the emergency police line 119, or any local law enforcement outpost.

  • Senior journalist praises Lacovia police for going beyond the call of duty

    Senior journalist praises Lacovia police for going beyond the call of duty

    In an inspiring display of community spirit and police dedication, senior Jamaica Information Service journalist Garfield Agnus has publicly commended officers from the Lacovia Police Station for their exceptional assistance during a distressing situation in November 2025. The incident occurred while Agnus was covering hurricane relief efforts in St Elizabeth parish following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa the previous month.

    While traveling through a remote area to document a relief initiative led by Clarendon’s Custos Rotulorum Edith Chin, Agnus’s vehicle experienced critical electrical failure, leaving him stranded with valuable equipment in an isolated location. Despite the frightening circumstances and suggestions to abandon his assignment, the journalist persevered, emphasizing the vital importance of informing the public about available post-hurricane support programs.

    After completing his coverage with help from a Good Samaritan, Agnus sought assistance at the Lacovia Police Station. Corporal Donna Roberson demonstrated remarkable initiative by making numerous calls to locate towing resources, eventually finding community member Junior Pusey who provided rope for the operation. Corporal Patrick Simpson then towed the vehicle with Pusey’s additional help in pushing the car to secure parking at the station.

    The officers’ compassion extended further when Corporal Roberson personally sourced and paid a technician from her own funds without consulting Agnus, recognizing the repair job exceeded the journalist’s immediate capabilities. This selfless act drew praise from local community members who witnessed the exceptional service.

    In recognition of their outstanding dedication beyond normal duties, Agnus coordinated with Caribbean/African diaspora organization The Pollyanna Project to provide gift packages to the officers and Pusey. Executive Director Donna Moore Stewart emphasized the organization’s commitment to recognizing emergency workers who demonstrate selflessness and dedication to their fellow citizens, highlighting this incident as exemplary of such service.

    The officers expressed appreciation for the recognition, while Agnus reflected on the rarity of such comprehensive kindness in everyday life, noting how the collective effort restored his faith in community-police relationships during challenging times.