Operation Safe Passage officially commenced with a soft launch on Monday, 9 February,
targeting the dangers associated with unlicensed public service vehicles and related road traffic
offences.
The operation was initiated in response to growing concerns about passengers, particularly
children, being transported in unlicensed vehicles, including instances where children were
observed standing along roadways flagging down these vehicles. Such practices pose serious
risks to public safety.
The aim of Operation Safe Passage is to detect, disrupt, and deter the operation of unlicensed
public service vehicles while addressing associated road traffic and criminal offences.
Key objectives include identifying and stopping vehicles suspected of operating as unlicensed
public service vehicles; enforcing Road Traffic legislation relating to licensing, insurance,
vehicle fitness, and driver compliance; removing offending vehicles from circulation through
seizure and impoundment; detecting and administering the law as it relates to immigration and
other criminal offences encountered during the operation; and supporting a visible,
intelligence-led policing presence.
On Day One, officers successfully conducted vehicle checks and impounded several vehicles.
Day Two, illegal operators adopted new tactics.
Upon sighting police presence, suspected operators altered their mode of operation. Vehicle
Check Points (VCPs) were established, led by the Traffic Enforcement Unit and including the
Highway Patrol; however, suspected illegal operators dropped off passengers before reaching
checkpoints, resulting in groups of passengers dispersing on foot.
On day three, officers observed increased coordination between drivers and passengers, with
suspected operators knowing passengers by name and vice versa.
While this may appear harmless as a passenger, alerting a driver to your name and home address,
especially when you do not know them, is extremely dangerous. This tactic can have serious and
potentially harmful consequences for passengers.
Despite these efforts to evade enforcement, twelve vehicles were impounded based on
supporting evidence gathered.
While public sentiment has been mixed, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force has
adopted a zero-tolerance approach to illegal transport operations, and all enforcement actions
undertaken during Operation Safe Passage remain fully within the remit of the law.
Operation Safe Passage remains ongoing as we continue to work collaboratively to enhance road
safety and address illegal transport practices across the islands.
| Date | Vehicles Towed | Tickets Issued | Traffic Checks Conducted | Warnings Issued | Tint Removed |
| Feb. 09 | 16 | 07 | 34 | 5 | – |
| Feb. 10 | 1 | 02 | 14 | 1 | 2 |
| Feb. 11 | 12 | 09 | 24 | 2 | – |
| Total: | 29 | 18 | 72 | 8 | 2 |