A recent editorial in the local media very clearly summarized the present crime scenario in the Cayman Islands, and indeed sounded a fervent plea for the present wave of crime to be silenced permanently.
I am indeed supportive of all efforts by the Government that will not only stem the present crime wave, but that will provide continuity in the law abiding process, e.g. review of sentencing parameters, continuous public education of the populace on the perils of drugs and their effects on individuals and the society on a whole, through the various media available on these islands.
I firmly believe that it is only through a concerted effort that we will see results over a period of time.
In the context of the above, it is sad to see where the same editorial made a statement that seems to negate (‘It is time for the RCIPS to take this seriously)’ the massive efforts of the RCIP and its Caymanian commanding officers.
We all know that funding has been provided, but they have not been able as yet to attain full strength, (a topic I shall deal with later on in this letter) and they do not have all the necessary crime prevention equipment and training.
Clearly the RCIP has their hands full, but their efforts, which are continuous and the results of those efforts, which have thus far been portrayed in local publications, speak volumes of the hard work they are putting in and should not be denigrated.
It is my considered belief that the problem of crime is not a problem for the RCIP alone; it is clearly one for all the citizenry and legal law abiding residents of this country.
It is an opportunity for all and sundry to cover each other’s back and protect each other and care for each other as we did after Ivan.
Being vigilant of our surroundings, cooperating with the authorities on information on criminal activities, are only some of the many ways we all can play our part.
Another factor that may be contributing to the issues we face is our present system of entry into the Cayman Islands; a policy that clearly provides for special conditions of entry clearly needs to be addressed.
Some argue that the present scenario of criminal elements arriving on our shores is fuelled in part by the recent wide spread of status grants (many of which were indeed questionable), by the Government, which I supported in the last election, but it needs to be addressed, irrespective of political persuasion.
We cannot continue to leave our door open because we may be looked on as being prejudice or in the hope that only the good will come through.
We cannot adopt an attitude of blame and no action because of a Government’s past policies. As a people we are forced to comply with immigration requirements through a defined visa system when we travel to various countries, including the United States, yet entry to the Cayman islands is a ‘Come as You are Affair’ with ensuing immigration issues, which gratefully are being in part addressed.
I firmly believe that it is time for a closer examination of our entry requirements, at the appropriate local government and the Foreign and Common wealth Office levels and that this must be done with the view of ensuring that existing protocols or bilateral agreements on visa reciprocity are examined and amended where applicable and/or necessary to suit the pressing need for better entry protection of these islands.
This must also be coupled with a review of the feasibility of a finger printing system, to which many Caymanian travellers have been accustomed to when entering the United States.
A system linked to other crime fighting agencies, in the region and internationally, will go a long ways in mitigating the present risk of allowing the easy back and forth travel of criminal elements that are recorded in other country’s systems.
I mentioned earlier that I would speak to the RCIPS’ strength, and will now do so very briefly. I recall reading recently statements by both the acting Police Commissioner and the Leader of Government Business, which touched upon the plight of being unable to recruit personnel because of the high cost of accommodations.
My succinct response to this, is the same as the action taken by Government in approving overall funding for the RCIP, in short whatever rental the market is demanding is only but a small price to pay for the safety of our community and the continuance of law and order.
In closing I wish to remind us all that we have the power to make the changes, but we can only do so together, irrespective of political persuasions, nationality or religious beliefs.
Learning from each other, protecting each other, and defending the rule of law we shall overcome the times we are now facing.
John Henry Ebanks
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