Premier promises ‘zero tolerance approach’ amid crime surge

Police and the government are taking a “zero-tolerance approach” to the recent surge in robberies and violent crimes, according to Premier Wanye Panton.

He vowed to restore tranquillity to residents, businesses and the wider community and said the police service has already launched a multi-step plan to thwart the rise in crime.

This includes a dedicated task force to investigate leads and apprehend suspects, targeted patrols in high-risk areas and maintaining police presence on roads, he said.

“The commissioner has reassured the government that the RCIPS has already activated plans to tackle the spate of robberies which resulted in four arrests this week as well as a second man being charged for involvement in the recent bank armed-robbery,” Panton said.

However, in a statement released on Friday, 7 July, he stressed that if the efforts to suppress violent crimes are to succeed, the community must assist the police.

“It is incumbent on every resident to play their part as our police work to apprehend those responsible,” the premier said.

“Regrettably, we know it’s the actions of a few that have negatively impacted the well-being of our community.

“Please rest assured that the government and your police service are resolute in bringing the perpetrators to justice.”

Public meeting planned this week

Meanwhile, a public meeting on the rising levels of crime will be held in George Town on Thursday, 13 July, to open up a discussion on what is being done to tackle the problem.

The government is hosting the meeting and has invited members of the police service and the Opposition to attend.

Kenneth Bryan, tourism minister and George Town Central MP, said the government is “fully aware of” the rising levels of serious crime as well as residents’ concerns.

“I want you to know that we are aware [and] there are discussions happening behind the scenes with the authorities,” Bryan said in an interview on Radio Cayman on Friday, 7 July.

“As you know, the police department falls under the governor’s responsibility, but by all means, that doesn’t mean that we as elected government, don’t play our part.

“Obviously, we give our full commitment to the funding necessary to police the country, but there’s other things that need to be done.”

Bryan said he and Sabrina Turner, health minister and Prospect MP, have decided to hold a public meeting on crime at Constitution Hall on 13 July, at 7pm.

“We invite everybody from all of George Town and we’re also going to be inviting the Opposition because this is not one of those things that should be political,” he said.

“We’re all wanting to find solutions together, and I would encourage the Leader of Opposition and all those who represent the George Town area to come along.”

Bryan said police will be at the meeting to speak about what they are doing to tackle crime and answer any questions.

‘They want opportunities’

Speaking on Gold radio on Monday, 10 July, labour minister Dwayne Seymour told Dr Doug he does not think the robbers want to commit a crime.

“I think they want opportunities, they want to benefit from demand and they don’t want to feel left behind. We need to just face the facts,” he said

Seymour said that the government needs to create the right atmosphere and be “relentless and aggressive” in creating policies to boost the economy.

He added that there needs to be a change of approach in policing to “more confrontational rather than reactionary”.

“The struggle is real,”, the minister said. “No one wants to have robberies as your headline, especially in a place like Cayman, that a wonderful gem.

“We’re considered still a safe place and we need to remain as that…but we have some work to do too as the government and we can’t hide from it.”

‘A real scare’

Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart, in a press release issued 7 July, said the community was shocked by the recent incidents, adding, “These brazen robberies must be stopped.”

He said, “All three cases would have given any staff and customers at the business establishments a real scare.

“And given the number of messages myself and my colleagues in the opposition received, many people in our community were also alarmed.”

He said he has every confidence in the police commissioner, his senior team, and the officers of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service.

“They are professionals who put their lives on the line to keep us safe,” McTaggart said.

He and Deputy Opposition Leader Joey Hew will be meeting with Commissioner of Police Derek Byrne on Monday to discuss concerns.

“We commit to doing all we can as Opposition leaders to help the RCIPS clamp down on those committing these crimes,” he said.

“Everyone on our Island has a part to play in helping the police prevent crime and arrest those committing crimes. If you know something, you should say something,” McTaggart added.

In a video address on 6 July, McTaggart urged the government to do more to address rising crime levels and offered some suggestions.

According to the 2022 crime statistics, released in April by the RCIPS, there was a slight increase of 3.5% in overall crime with 3,810 crimes reported in 2022 compared to 2021.

Robberies increased as well, from 16 in 2021 to 45 last year, with attempted robberies rising from three to five over the same period.