Some, including the islands' Premier Washington Misick, have been quick to blame migrants from Haiti, which lies just 90 miles to the south. They flee to Turks and Caicos to escape gang-led turmoil and violence back home.

"The crime situation is worse in the Haitian communities [on Turks and Caicos]," concedes Jacques, who was born in Haiti, and moved to Turks and Caicos where he gained citizenship 28 years ago.

Most of those slain this year are of Haitian nationality, he says.