The majority of respondents to last week’s cayCompass.com online poll think crime is the biggest challenge facing the Cayman Islands right now.
Of the 649 total respondents, 344 people – 53 per cent – said crime is the biggest challenge.
“The economy is coming around, the local political situation is somewhat worrisome because of the hint of corruption, and Caymanian-expatriate relations have always been strained to a certain degree,” said one person. “But the crime situation here is quickly ruining the quality of life and making Cayman a less attractive tourism destination. If something isn’t done soon, I’m afraid Cayman will end up like so many other unsafe Caribbean countries.”
“Definitely crime,” said someone else. “But I believe the poor economic situation is the main reason crime is on a high right now. Desperation and idleness result in people making stupid decisions.”
“The crime here in Cayman has me afraid to go out of my house without looking around,” said another person. “Violent crime used to only happen late at night, but now it happens even in broad daylight.”
“I see crime as being the biggest issue right now,” commented one person. “I feel crime has affected too many aspects of life here in Cayman.”
The economy was a distant second in the number of poll respondents who thought that was the biggest issue with 149 people or 23 per cent choosing that option.
“Sort out the economy and the rest will come good,” said one person.
“As a Caymanian in the private sector,” said someone else. “I resent the number of obstacles put in place in order for businesses and developments to thrive. Politicians look at only the government-employed voters while the other 50 per cent of us are ignored. Those who impede progress in government should spend a week in our shoes.”
Another large segment of respondents – 109 people or 16.8 per cent – thought the local political situation was the biggest challenge Cayman faced right now.
“The root cause of much of the country’s ailments is our local political situation,” said one person. “Corruption, smoke-screens and saving face-egos are blocking government agencies from doing what they are supposed to be doing to help this country move forward and address our other woes, such as crime, education and building our economy. Unfortunately, this will most likely not change until the next generation of young, intelligent Caymanians become of age to run for office and the old school fellas are of retirement age.”
“Legitimate lack of trust and faith in our current government leader and making decisions which aren’t in the long-term best interest of our country, but rather only for a few in the short term. We need someone we can trust and who is making responsible decisions on our behalf.”
Thirty-two people – 4.9 per cent – cited Caymanian-expatriate relations as the biggest challenge facing the country right now.
“With so many Caymanians unemployed, but quite capable of doing the work that so many expatriates are given work permits for, I will not be surprised if there is an uprising soon,” said one person.
Fifteen people responded ‘other’ to the question, five of whom said “all of the above” and one who thought all of the other choices except Caymanian-expatriate relations.
Other responses included:
“Higher and diverse education for young adults.”
“The CAVE people and NIMBYs.”
“The potential ecological catastrophe in Mount Trashmore.”
“The lionfish invasion. With no marine life, we’ll have no visitors.”
Next week’s poll question
Do you think one person, one vote/single member constituencies is good for Cayman?
Yes
No
I support everyone having the same number of votes, but not single member constituencies.
I can’t vote so I don’t care
I can vote but I don’t care
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It offends me that people raise hell about the West Bay Road and the Boddentown waste management relocation but are silent on the issue of crime. One person – one vote petition for everyone to sign but these people say nothing about crime.
Having been here 15 years I have seen a huge change in crime how can those who were raised here tolerate it?
Talk shows are silent on the issue, why is that?
Every day the is a murder or a robbery.
Do people care?
Panama_Jack, I read Cayman Newspapers on the regular and from I’ve noticed there was a lot of talk about the rising crime rate when everyone was blaming it on Expats saying that they were the ones committing all the crime. But it definately seems to me that since there’s been a lot of young Caymanians captured and convicted for these crimes and it’s been more obvious that the problem is home grown. People have downplayed it, I think the current excuse is that it’s the economy and people are only doing this put food in their mouths or feed thier family..It’s hard for folks to except responsibility for thier own failures.
Since almost all the people caught by the police have been under the age of 20, it is hard to say they are committing crimes to feed their families.
It seems this is a young gang problem, which has also been an issue in other countries. Including the USA, UK, France etc.
But someone out there knows who is doing this. Does no one see them running from the scene of the crime or where they go?
Don’t friends, neighbors and families notice when a teenager has money but no income?
Don’t parents know or care where and with whom their children and hanging out?