A month long gun amnesty will begin in the Cayman Islands later this week.
From Friday 1 July – Sunday 31 July inclusive people can hand in unlicensed,
unwanted and illegal guns or ammunition to George Town, West Bay, Bodden Town
and Cayman Brac police stations – anonymously.
Announcing the amnesty, Detective Superintendent Marlon Bodden, head of the
RCIPS Criminal Investigation Department, said that he hoped that this year’s
amnesty would mirror the success of the 2010 campaign. Mr. Bodden also added
that he hoped this year’s strap line ‘Our ten year plan’ would encourage
everyone on the Islands to work together for a safer Cayman.
“Last year the crime landscape in the Cayman Islands was somewhat
different,” he said. “We launched the 2010 amnesty against a backdrop of gun
killings and gang violence. This year we face the challenge of armed robberies
where local businesses are being targeted for cash.
“While the reality is that overall crime is down – this spate of robberies
continues to cause us concern. The good news is that over the past few weeks
our proactive operations have led to the recovery of a number of loaded guns
and some significant arrests – but we do accept that there is still much more
work to be done.
“That’s why today we are announcing the 2011 amnesty. This is just one
strand of our overall strategy to reduce the availability of guns and
ammunition on the streets. It’s one more way to cut the number of guns and
bullets available for criminal use.
“There is clear evidence to suggest that guns continue to be shared by
criminals on the Islands. Just one gun being removed from that supply chain
could prevent numerous robberies and could ultimately save lives.”
Officers from the RCIPS have two firm objectives for the amnesty. The first
is to get guns and ammunition off the streets and the second is to start a
constructive dialogue within the Cayman Islands about the need to take a collective
proactive stand against gun crime – NOW.
“What will Cayman look like ten years from now if we don’t start working
together to solve this problem?” asked Mr. Bodden. “How safe will we feel; how
will it impact on our tourism product?
Through this latest amnesty we want communities, government and businesses
to work with us and develop Cayman’s ten year plan – our plan to keep these
Islands safe and free of gun crime.
“This year we are taking the amnesty directly onto your doorstep. Through a
series of district meetings we will show you how gun crime is impacting on your
community and discuss what we can do, collectively, to stop gun crime in
Cayman.”
The dates and locations of the meetings are as follows. Anyone who has an
interest in keeping the Islands safe is encouraged to come along and have their
say.
Tuesday 5 July 7:30-8:30pm George Town Mary Miller Memorial
Hall
Wednesday 6 July 7:30-8:30pm West Bay Sir John A Cumber PS
Thursday 7 July 7:30-8:30pm Bodden Town Bodden
Town Primary School
Monday 11 July 7:30-8:30pm East End Civic Centre
Tuesday 12 July 7:30-8:30pm North Side Cradock Ebanks Civic
Centre
Wednesday 13 July 7:30-8:30pm Cayman Brac Layman
Scott High School Hall
Thursday 14 July 7:30-8:30pm Little Cayman Hurricane
Shelter
Anyone who wishes to take part in the amnesty should take their guns and
ammunition along to George Town, West Bay, Bodden Town and Cayman Brac police
stations. The guns and ammunition should be deposited in the secure lock boxes
at the locations. There is no need to provide names or any other personal
details to police. The amnesty will operate 7 days a week from 7:00 a.m. until
7:00 pm.
If you have information about gun crime, or know of anyone who has an
unlicensed or illegal weapon, please call your local police station, the RCIPS
confidential tip line 949-7777 or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS).
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