Extra cash should be pumped into Cayman’s security services, said Governor Jane Owen at the annual Cayman Islands Veterans Association gala held on 11 Oct.
As politicians and the uniformed services joined together to celebrate the Islands’ veterans, Owen said the event helped underline the importance of maintaining the country’s reputation as a safe jurisdiction.
Owen added, “It’s very nice to see our politicians here tonight and I’m very hopeful in the budget we will have proper funding for our security because it’s essential for Cayman’s stability and economic attractiveness.”
The governor, who also launched the annual Poppy Appeal with Premier André Ebanks at the gala, added that global instability and conflict around the world had increased in recent years.
Owen said, “Security has become much more important over the past five years.
“The main threats in Cayman are guns, drugs and illegal immigration and that is what we need to protect against.”
She added that crime was becoming more technology-based and that security services had to keep up with the times.
Owen added that detection, analysis, forensics, financial and cyber crime, as well at IT systems protection had to be considered.
Owen said, “Technology is very important. We have to invest. Community policing is important, but that alone won’t keep us safe.”
The premier added, “National security of course remains a priority for the country, and more will be said during the SPS discussions in parliament this week and in the more detailed Parliament discussions that will commence on 5 November.”
Honouring Cayman’s veterans
One of the strengths of the veterans’ gala, which had the theme of ‘Caymanians in the Fight for Freedom’, was that it honoured the country’s contribution in wartime and allowed current branches of the uniformed services to mingle with each other, said Owen.
She highlighted the event included military, past and present, police, the coast guard, the regiment and the fire service.
Owen added, “It’s a great evening. It’s very important to honour our veterans and it’s also a useful opportunity to get everyone together from all of our security services.”
Veteran Paul Ebanks, 77, from North Side, served with the UK’s elite Royal Marines for nine years from 1968.
He served all over the world as a commando, including seven tours of duty in strife-torn Northern Ireland at the height of ‘The Troubles’.
He said his father had served in the Trinidad Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in World War II and many other Caymanians had served at sea or on land.
He said, “War is not nice for anyone. Having a democracy is precious. It gives people the chance to vote and that should be protected.”
He added, “It’s very important that people come to events like this. Cayman basically stands on its own.”
James Truman Conolly, who left Cayman as a child for New York in 1958 and was drafted for service in Vietnam as a teenager, was a special guest at the dinner.
Conolly, who later was involved in New York politics, said he had struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) since his service in the 2nd battalion of the 7th Cavalry Regiment.
The regiment was part of the US 1st Air Cavalry, the division made famous by the film ‘We Were Soldiers’.
Conolly said he had travelled with his family to Cayman to “show we love this place and want to support it”.
He told the Cayman Islands Veterans Association, “Thank you again for being here. We really do appreciate it.”
Showing support for veterans
The event, organised by the Veterans Association, the 12th of its kind, was designed to raise funds to help support former services personnel in Cayman.
Andrew McLaughlin, a former master sergeant in the US Marine Corps and president of the association, said many veterans struggled due to advancing years or with conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
He explained the association helped with costs such as utility bills, groceries and assisted with transport to medical appointments.
McLaughlin said, “Our goal is to ensure that every veteran in the Cayman Islands has a friend.”
He added, “We still have young people serving right now. When they come home, there has to be someone to greet them and help if needed.
Premier Ebanks said after his poppy was pinned on, “It’s absolutely vital to be able to celebrate those who fought in world wars as Caymanians.
“The least we can do is take one night to honour them and show up.”
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The Governor’s reference to “security services” is a little misleading. What we need is to spend more money on strengthening our Police Dept, they are already short staffed and desperately need more resources.
This is old news. Question is when will it be given priority? Turks and Caicos have had one for several years now, what happened to ours?