The long-dormant Cayman Islands Beautification Committee, now rebranded as a task force, is back in action with a mission to clean up derelict vehicles and deal with littering and dumping issues.
Cabinet recently approved the establishment of the Cayman Islands Beautification Task Force, previously known as the Beautification Committee, which disbanded after 2012 when its government funding ceased.
The task force, chaired by Teresa Lewis-Pitcairn, is managed by a team of 11 volunteers, under the direction of Parliamentary Secretary Heather Bodden, who had been a member of the previous Beautification Committee for more than 20 years.
Bodden told the Compass Friday, “Beautification projects did continue [after 2012] through assistance from businesses during those years”, but noted that is the first time since then that funds have been made available by government for beautification.
She added, “It’s been a long time coming and I’m anxious to begin the work that needs to be done to see our island back to how we’re familiar with keeping it; clean and green. And this time penalties will be levied if laws are not abided by.”
Cayman’s Litter Law carries a maximum penalty of a $500 fine or a six-month jail term for littering, but convictions under this legislation have been rare.
Bodden said, “People need to understand there are laws for such behaviour, yet many have become so complacent and act like it’s normal. Not any more. Clean up or pay the fines that will now be enforced.”
A press release from the Ministry of Tourism noted that the goal of the Beautification Task Force is “to work with local communities on the removal of derelict vehicles, and to educate residents on their responsibility for having proper garbage bins and receptacles in place”.
It stated that the task force will also serve as a conduit for the public to report issues relating to litter and illegal dumping throughout the three islands, and will liaise with the relevant agencies to have the situation remedied.
“The increase in abandoned vehicles, messy properties and illegally dumped household items gives the impression that this type of behavior is acceptable to residents, and the longer it is allowed to continue conveys that there is no momentum towards change or improvement. That is simply not the case,” Bodden said in the release.
‘Clean and Green’
The task force, whose motto is ‘Clean and Green – Cayman Islands’, is made up of district sub-committees “which empower each district to manage beautification issues on a community level”, the release stated.
The Beautification Task Force will report to the Ministry of Tourism and will work closely with a cross-section of government agencies, including the Department of Environmental Health, the Department of Public Lands and the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, among others.
Bodden said in the release, “It has been a personal passion of mine to showcase the pristine beauty of our islands. As we continue to welcome back tourists to Cayman’s stunning natural scenery, I encourage everyone to take pride in your outdoor spaces, as this not only reflects our nation to incoming visitors, but adds to the quality of life for residents.”
Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan also added the “ultimate aim of the Task Force is to change the attitudes and behavior of the public, by encouraging those who live and work in the Cayman Islands, as well as those who visit us, to act responsibly in keeping our islands clean. Consequently the Beautification Task Force will operate on a strategic level to restore a sense of pride in our islands, by amplifying community consciousness to a level that will reflect the uniqueness of our culture, heritage and people.”
He explained that the new group is also “tasked with educating the public on the laws surrounding littering and illegal dumping and they will be reporting violators who break the law to the relevant authorities”.
The members of the task force, along with Lewis-Pitcairn, are Robert Bodden as deputy chair, and members Felisiana Ebanks, Nickeah Esteban, Omeria Gordon, Karen Hydes, Janet James, Edney McLean, Graham Rankine, Margely Reve and Romelya Welcome. Ex-officio members are the director of environmental health or nominee, director of commerce and investment or nominee, commissioner of Royal Cayman Islands Police Service or nominee, and chief officer for ministry of tourism or nominee.
The release noted that contact details for the task force are being finalised and will be circulated to the public once they become available.
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You would have to be pretty dumb not to realise that littering and dumping is illegal. The laws exist and what is needed is that they be enforced, that will educate the public far more than the hot air such as we have from Mr Bryan concerning “strategic levels”.
I think it is great that the CI is cleaning up. I am Canadian and we recycle all we can. Would love to see more recycling in the CI and less use of the landfill.