A survey completed by 179 Cayman Islands companies for 2011 found that the vast majority – 69 per cent of those who filled out the questionnaire – felt either ‘very safe’ or ‘fairly safe’ walking alone at their business after dark.
Only 13.5 per cent of those who answered the Chamber of Commerce survey said they felt ‘very unsafe’ after dark at their place of work.
The survey was done over a number of months and focused mainly on economic crime. However, the last section of the questionnaire sought to determine businesses’ views on violent crime.
The results found that nearly 48 per cent of businesses surveyed believed violent crime has increased in their area within the past year. However, another 48 per cent of respondents said the violent crime rate in there area had stayed the same as last year.
Only 4 per cent said the violent crime rate in their area had decreased.
According to some responses received from business owners, customers and staff have become afraid at the increase in violent robbery offences and noted these incidents have resulted in a loss of income and an increase in insurance premiums. Others noted they have taken extra security precautions within the past year.
“Staff feels more secure due to increased security guard presence and 911 on speed dial whenever a fight or altercation breaks out,” one business owner said.
Business owners were also split on where they thought government should spend its money to combat violent crime. Some 41 per cent said the cash should go toward crime prevention and law enforcement, while nearly 40 per cent said the money should be spent on social development and job creation.
Only 19 per cent said the local judiciary and court system should get the money.
Surprisingly, more than 54 per cent of business owners said they have not invested more in extra protection for their business within the past year, while 46 per cent said they had done so.
Among the security changes made were improvements to lighting, installation of closed-circuit television cameras, hiring security guards, and ensuring staff do not carry business takings or make bank deposits. Once additional security measures were taken, 78 per cent of the businesses that made those improvements said they felt safer.
The issue of neighbourhood watches was also broached with business owners, who again were split; 52 per cent said they would join such a programme if one existed, 48 per cent said they would not. Less than 10 per cent said they would commit to being the neighbourhood watch organiser in their area.
The Web-based survey was initially distributed to 205 local businesses and results were compiled and reported by KRyS Global.
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Notwithstanding these statistics, and that most business owners feel safe, until law enforcement plugs the source of illegal guns entering the island, crime will continue to be a societal problem.
It is far too easy for armed thugs to commit crimes can get away with it. For example, some businesses are not security conscious. The gunman walks in, makes his threat, helps himself to the cash and/or register and makes good his escape. If there is a so called security guard who is unarmed and defenseless, the criminal has no opposition.
It is most amazing with all the attention given to crime and the measures that the RCIPS has put in place to combat crime, yet criminal activity is not yet fully under control. Sadly, the bad guy always wins.