The Cayman Islands on the heels of the islands of Jamaica and Trinidad in the rise in crime, has run out of cards to play.
Trinidad now has to resort to draconian measures to control crime.
The Cayman Islands is now at the crossroads. Unfortunately, the country’s leadership has no strategy for recovery for our local communities held hostage by crime fuelled by increase in robberies, drug trafficking, kidnappings and murders.
Eight weeks ago the Governor and Premier made a public appearance and promised us that they had a plan to fight crime in the Cayman Islands. Not only did that plan fail to deliver, but it is unknown, and already within six to seven months the national crime rate spiked out of control with two missing young women all within childbearing age; an unsolved mystery. Sadly, it hasn’t been easy for these families mourning the disappearance of their loved ones while the government keeps pandering to the crime situation, but, instead of reducing crime, we saw an unprecedented rise in crime, unlike anything we have seen in the history of our country.
We need to start making our communities safe again in this country, and we can do that by putting the right calibre law enforcement personnel in place.
As a world leading financial centre with tourism and banking as our main industries Cayman must do whatever is necessary to protect our communities making it safe for our citizens and tourists alike.
Is it now time for the Cayman Islands Police to implement a curfew in high crime hot-spot areas to keep our communities safe especially our young people? The current system of policing is not working. Obviously there is a lack of expertise in crime fighting and we cannot rule out Operation Tempura where Cayman’s top cops were accused and not charged, put on indefinite leave with no compensation for damages to their character and loss of dignity and loss of employment. Clearly, this attack on the character of Cayman’s top cops has been the most damaging weapon used to destroy, discourage and break the good will and spirits of some our own local RCIP. The disappointment, embarrassment and humiliation of law enforcement has served well as an invitation to criminals that RCIP, the subject of more than one investigation, was indeed a freak assault on our RCIP systems set up to protect our citizens and instead has served well as a license for criminals to justifiably pursue their criminal endeavours.
We cannot continue our journey on this bridge that leads only to danger, terror, horror, torture and mental anguish to the citizens of these Islands. A solution to this huge surge in serious high profile crime must be found quickly, and excuses are unacceptable. Not enough concern is being shown against crime fighting on the part of Cayman’s leadership. The Governor and Premier leading the way need to seek out hiring overseas experts that are duly qualified to fight crime in this region. We also need to bring back that former Task Force RCIP that was successful in fighting crime, maintaining control and keeping our country safe. Consideration should be given to former FBI or ex-military personnel to join our team. We need some real hard-core well experienced law enforcement officers that are a match for these real hard-core defiant criminals. We need to take our country back out of the hands of these fierce gun toters and perpetrators pistol whipping our women and committing robberies daily. It is now time for serious aggressive action that is effective. This is no time or place for a vacation. No more beach bums posing as law enforcement officers.
Florence Goring-Nozza
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Agreed.
I think a lot of us agree with that. But I do not believe that the CIG or the people of Cayman are prepared to do what it takes put a stop to this. For heaven’s sake most people still blame all the crime on Expats saying that it’s not Caymanian youths doing these robberies. If the RCIPS actually started fighting crime doing thing like searching cars and raiding known drug dealers homes and one or two young Caymanians is shot by the RCIPS during an armed robbery attempt the people would quickly start saying the RCIPS is out of control and abusive and they use excessive force. If people was the street safe they have to be willing to accept responsibility and do their part as well, and that may mean turn you own child in. My father would have done it in a minute, If I had no job but had a pocket full of money he would have demanded to know where it came from and if he knew I committed a crime, he would have dragged me downtown himself.
There was a campaign in the US at one time where people were constantly asked, It’s 10PM do you know where your children are at?…..That means a lot.
I’d like to know what the Governor and premier is waiting for. What are they waiting on for something else serious to happen? I dare say, the premier is knocking himself out working ‘HARD for big develloers like Mr. Dart but when it comes to his people and their safety the premier has nothing to Say or DO!
so sad.
What kind of leadership is that, singing songs about Bureaucratic Harassment Bla bla! well people are getting robbed and killed so we really don’t care abaut your bureaucratic harassment since you DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS that is in danger 24/7’s If you did you would have already hired some high level crime fighters to put an end to this terror on us all!
Hard line is needed and I mean ‘HARD LINE POLICE No little amateurs and no little constables, some special kick ass forces.
Agree -Dubai is correct – no more ‘pussy-footing’ about with the ineffective local Police, get some real ‘nasties’ from the US (or similar) in to sort out the idiots that are ruining Grand Cayman.
I see so many comments from long standing visitors such as ourselves who are also VERY unhappy about making GC their holiday destination.
Act now before it is too late and we have abandoned you for safer islands.
In the lengthy and all consuming memorandum of no confidence offered by the Opposition the crime issue was listed # 17 on their list. Pathetic…
One can only guess why no politician in the Cayman Islands is really ready to deal with this issue. Are they afraid of losing votes when Caymanians are sent to prison?
Well,
Dr.Florence Goring Nozza,
Seems like you embarrassed the governor, the Comm of police and the Premier and the entire legislature bad enough to force their hand to taking action against crime. You didn’t hold any punches in this article. I just read they’re taking some action against crime.
That’s what I like about your writing Florence, one never knows what your next topic will be but its always THOUGHT PROVOKING as Mr. Desmond Seals described you.
People of Cayman keep writing and pressuring government to take action against this crime surge in cayman, and PLEASE DO NOT assume that this talk will yield everything, Let’s see if the Governor, the premier, the Comm Police and the L.A. is putting their money where their mouth is.Let us wait and see what the end is going to be, are they serious or just talking one more time.
Governor Duncan and co.
Looks like you need to read this letter again, make a copy of it and put it on your desk. It’s part of your job descriptions.
Today marks the truth that we need to put into practice what is recommended in the above letter. Its time to have our RCIP trained,armed and dangerous where these gun toters are concerned.
These are serious times. I couldn’t but chuckle when I watched Gov. Duncan Taylor so calm and nonchalant commenting about crime on TV, it’s like no big thing where he’s concerned. I do hope that his action taken against crime is much more serious than his countenance appeared. It was a little awkward.
Not a strong message to criminals, I was very disappointed. I will closely observe and be very critical of what takes place in regard to action taken b the governor and the entire government to fight crime in the Cayman Islands.
It appears that the Cayman public is more concerned about getting a handle on crime rather than the government and RCIPS. This is fully substantiated by the commentaries, letters, etc. appearing in this newspaper. The vast majority of residents have lost hope and confidence in the powers that be to effectively deal with the intolerable serious crime situation. I agree with the expressed view that plans to deal with the crime problem have miserably failed and there is definitely a lack of expertise in crime fighting.
One would think that the ongoing huge public outcry would result in a more serious approach by law enforcement. The hoodlums and thugs responsible are having a ball knowing that they can shoot, rob, kill, mug, and hurt innocent victims with total immunity.
As I’ve suggested in the past, seek expert help from countries with proven methods on dealing with crime and crime prevention. Cayman would not be unique in this situation. This has happened before.
For God’s sake, do something now!!!