I was not aware of the death of an American there in January.

Travel warning issued for popular spring break tropical destination over crime concerns

The U.S. State Department recently issued a Level 2 travel advisory, warning travelers to exercise increased caution in the Turks and Caicos Islands due to crime.

The alert comes as the islands prepare for spring break visitors.

Most crime in the British Overseas Territory, located in the Atlantic Ocean nearly 600 miles southeast of Miami and just south of Bermuda, occurs on the Turk and Caicos' main island of Providenciales, and local police may have limited investigatory resources, according to the State Department.

In January, an Illinois sheriff's deputy, Shamone Duncan, 50, was killed in a shooting while celebrating her sister's birthday in Turks and Caicos.

Gunfire broke out outside a restaurant on Grace Bay Road and three people were shot, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force confirmed.

When on the islands, the State Department recommends avoiding walking alone and at night, not answering the door unless the guest is expected, and not physically resisting during robbery attempts.

They also advise preparing a contingency plan for emergency situations and enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which provides alerts and makes it easier for authorities to find people during an emergency.

Those vacationing in the Turks and Caicos Islands should also check luggage carefully before leaving the U.S. to ensure it does not contain any bullets or firearms, which are illegal, according to the department.

Officials noted police strictly enforce the weapons laws, even at the airport when travelers are leaving. Travelers face arrest, jail time and heavy fines.

"Some U.S. citizens have been detained and unable to depart for several weeks or more after being found with bullets in their luggage," according to the warning.

Offenders face 12 or more years in prison.

"Though the law allows for some exceptions and discretion, the Department of State cannot guarantee your release," according to the department.

Multiple Americans were arrested in the country in 2024 after allegedly unknowingly having ammunition or bullets in their luggage while traveling back to the U.S.

Two fathers, Ryan Watson and Tyler Wenrich, were both arrested and detained in April after Turks and Caicos airport security found bullets in their luggage while they were returning from their vacations on the island.

Nobody in their right mind should go to Royal Turks and Caicos islands. Are they getting any US Aid money? If so Musk et al. should pull the plug.

I won't be sad for their tourism dollars drying up, they did it to themselves.

Given how these cretin treat Americans making obvious mistakes regardless of their lack of attention to detail while making them, this additional set of circumstances should be enough to abandon the Turks & Caicos as a vacation spot.

Gunfire outside a restaurant, eh?

Almost makes you wonder if maybe their resources are misallocated when they're going after tourists for innocent mistakes.

Agree with all of the above. Plenty of other places to visit and removed from the proverbial bucket list. Screw them.

quote:

the State Department recommends avoiding walking alone and at night, not answering the door unless the guest is expected, and not physically resisting during robbery attempts.

Who the hell would vacation there?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The same people who vacation in Chicago.

Im going the other way on this one. How often do things like this happen? Lets be honest, it's not very often. This was also an incident that occurred off resort property and just like anywhere else in the world you could simply be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

How many people said tough shit when a basketball player was detained in Russian for almost a year on the basis of you should know the laws of the land.

Sudafed is banned in Japan and are restricted or require a prescription in other countries like Australia, the UK, Singapore, and the UAE. You could find yourself in hot water in other countries because you have allergies. Its your duty to know.

quote:

Originally posted by gpbst3:
How many people said tough shit when a basketball player was detained in Russian for almost a year on the basis of you should know the laws of the land.

Knowing the law of a foreign country and then flaunting it in that country is indefensible.

quote:

Its your duty to know.

Yes, it is, but are you actually telling us that you don't know the circumstances in which several Americans- including two members of this forum- were jailed for possessing ammunition in T&C?

Tell me you are unaware of the circumstances, or tell me you make no distinction in those instances.

It was not my intention to revisit those incidents, because the circumstances are fully documented on the pages of this forum. Primarily, my intent was to make members aware of the recent death of a U.S. citizen on one of those islands.

I've never been there but remember hearing it mentioned a lot years ago.
The place was a way-point for drug smugglers looking to refuel on their way into the US from points south.
The place pretty much run by shady characters and sounds like that hasn't changed much.

Fuck that place. After what they did to Dave, well I’ve never been and never will go there. They can keep it. I’m quite content staying in the US and going to HI.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
.....Tell me you are unaware of the circumstances, or tell me you make no distinction in those instances.

I understand the distinction. Its the other countries that do not always see it the same way.

Here in the Midwest ,
I know a dozen old timers that get out of Dodge for awhile in the winter months.
.
Some head to Fla., TX, AZ.
But some others
Go on a couple of cruises.

Then a few others opt. For either the Caribbean islands or even northern most So. america.

Upon their return we listen with interest about what they saw, who they met and some interesting experiences.

13 years ago it was all kinds of interesting, 8 years ago not so much and as of three years ago the stories they tell are , well, uninspiring, some scary and un appealing.

My almost sister in law is in Viet Nam for 20 days.
With 30 other people.

quote:

Originally posted by gpbst3:

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
.....Tell me you are unaware of the circumstances, or tell me you make no distinction in those instances.

I understand the distinction. Its the other countries that do not always see it the same way.

No, I'm talking about you comparing a person who consciously disobeyed a law (this freak basketball player) to people who had no intention to violate any law of another country and did so merely by mistake.

The difference couldn't be any greater. The people arrested in T&C have nothing to do with your example.