Ankle monitor breach ‘one-off incident’, says Public Safety Communications director

As the search continues for Christopher Perry Bush, who destroyed his ankle monitor while on bail, those who operate the electronic monitoring programme say this incident was a ‘one-off’ situation.

Sean Vasquez, director of the Department of Public Safety Communications, addressing concerns raised following last week’s breach in which Bush removed his ankle bracelet, said the programme has taken steps to ensure this is not repeated.

“It is a one-off incident, but like all things that are technology-led, there are limitations to the technology and that continues to change on a week-by-week or a month-by-month basis. We do everything that we can within reason to ensure that these instances are as minimal as possible and to mitigate these risks that would present itself,” he told the Cayman Compass.

Upgrades happening

However, Vasquez, who has responsibility for the operation of the Electronic Monitoring Centre (EMC), said it can be difficult to maintain a foolproof system with the current technology.

“The programme is continuously being upgraded. It’s continuously being improved, and we’re always looking at ways to leverage the technology that we have to make sure that it fits exactly what the islands and the community and the strategic initiatives of each department need for this programme,” he said.

The Bush incident was an active investigation so he could not speak specifically on it, he said, adding it was because of the existing system that the breach was quickly detected and the police alerted.

“I’m not really at liberty to speak too much about that right now in regards to what or why may have happened, but I can say that the technology exists in its most robust form and we are currently in the preliminary stages of upgrading the programme,” Vasquez said.

Bush, of Bodden Town, removed and destroyed his electronic monitoring device which he had to wear while on bail following an arrest for a firearm-related incident.

As of Tuesday afternoon, police confirmed that Bush remained at large.

In a statement issued on Friday morning, 16 June, the RCIPS described Bush, 32, as “violent and dangerous” and urged members of the public not to approach him but to call 9-1-1 immediately if they see him.

They have appealed for Bush to turn himself in.

Programme has merit

Vasquez said on average there are about 75 to 100 individuals under the programme at any one time, depending on the offences or the needs of the agencies requesting the monitoring, or the requirements.

He assured the community that work is ongoing to improve the existing programme, as it offers a two-fold benefit in that individuals who may have been incarcerated have the opportunity to reintegrate back into society which could help prevent recidivism.

“[It] gives the community assurances that these persons that are existing among them in the community are being monitored and guided accordingly by [the Cayman Islands government’s] initiatives,” he added, saying, this is “a very well-received programme”.

The Department of Public Safety Communication, he said, continues to work with its public safety partners, vendors and “the technology in the industry to ensure that what is being offered and what currently exists falls in line with how we manage and improve this programme on a daily basis”.