© 2021 Burger King Corporation. King Stackers are here Dare to stack! Each patty is a quarter pound of flame-grilled beef. Single Double Triple cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Friday, 29 Oct - 4 Nov 2021 Although hospitalisations remain low, Cayman's rising number of COVID cases represents one of many challenges for the tourism sector ahead of 20 Nov. reopening. Pages 14 & 15 Taking offMatinees (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $8.00 (Mon-Fri before 6pm) Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets 640-FILM (640-3456) Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any film starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. WHAT’S PLAYING THIS WEEK ANTLERS (R) (FRI-SAT & MON-THURS) 6:45 VIP | 7:00 | 10:00 VIP | 10:05 DUNE (PG-13) (FRI, TUES & WED) 3:15 VIP | 3:20 | 6:45 | 9:15 VIP (SAT) 12:35 | 3:15 VIP | 3:20 | 6:45 | 9:15 VIP (MON & THURS) 3:15 VIP | 3:20 | 6:25 VIP | 9:30 LAST NIGHT IN SOHO (R) (FRI-THURS) 4:10 | 7:00 VIP | 7:10 | 9:45 VIP | 9:55 (SAT) 12:30 VIP | 4:10 | 7:00 VIP | 7:10 | 9:45 VIP | 9:55 NO TIME TO DIE (PG-13) (FRI) 3:30 | 3:30 VIP | 6:25 VIP | 9:30 (SAT) 12:25 VIP | 12:40 | 3:30 VIP | 3:30 | 6:25 VIP | 9:30 (SUN) 4:00 | 4:30 | 5:50 VIP | 6:25 VIP | 7:35 | 8:00 | 9:10 VIP (MON-THURS) 3:30 | 3:30 VIP | 6:45 | 9:15 VIP (TUES-WED) 3:30 | 3:30 VIP | 9:30 HALLOWEEN KILLS (R) (SAT) 10:10 RON’S GONE WRONG (PG) (FRI, MON-THURS) 4:00 (SAT) 12:55 | 4:00 (SAT) 3:50 VIP | 4:00 | 6:35 THE ADDAMS FAMILY 2 (PG) (SAT) 12:45 THE LAST DUEL (R) (FRI-SAT & MON-THURS) 6:40 VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE (PG-13) (FRI, MON-THURS) 3:55 VIP | 10:10 (SAT) 1:00 VIP | 3:55 VIP (SUN) 3:25 VIP | 6:45 VIP | 9:55 VIP | 10:10 KIDS CLUB HOCUS POCUS SATURDAY 10AM VIP AVAILABLE (PG) CLASSICS FIGHT CLUB (R) TUESDAY 7PM weather Friday Forecast FORECAST Partly cloudy skies with a 30% chance of evening/over- night showers and possible thunder. SEA STATE Slight with heights 1 to 3 feet. caymancompass.comfacebook.com/caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass WINDS South to southwesterly at 5 to 10 knots, becoming west to southwesterly by evening over Grand Cayman. 89°F HIGH 77°F LOW PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Cayman Compass Ltd. Compass Centre, Shedden Road, George Town, Cayman Islands SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman, KY1-1108 Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@compassmedia.ky ADVERTISE WITH US: T: (345) 949-5111 E: sales@compassmedia.ky W: caymancompass.com PUBLISHER KATHLEEN CAPETTA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF KEVIN MORALES FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass Isolation support extended to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman Government’s isolation stipend will be extended to families on both Cayman Brac and Little Cayman facing mandatory quarantine due to a spike in COVID-19 cases there. Health Minister Sabrina Turner, in a video message on 27 Sept., confirmed this as she urged calm within the Cayman community, as the number of local cases continues to surge (see page 5). She noted that over the past few days there is mounting concern in the Sister Islands regarding positive cases there, as hundreds turned up for testing at the Aston Rutty Civic Centre on the Bluff. “Again, this was inevitable in the current pandemic situation, but I assure you that we are extending the same support to our people on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman that we are on Grand Cayman. Everyone affected by COVID-19 in the Cayman Islands will have access to support in getting groceries and other supplies, as well as with getting their results in a timely fashion, and being able to apply for the ex-gratia stipend if eligible,” she said. Last week, Turner announced government had approved $1 million in funding for the ex- gratia isolation stipend, which will be paid to Caymanians and Permanent Residency holders who have lost earnings due to required Public Health home isolation. More flights for Cayman as WestJet confirms December return In a statement, Canadian airline WestJet has confirmed it will be making a December return to local skies as Cayman moves closer to government’s planned 20 Nov. reopening date. Madison Kruger, Media Relations Advisor at WestJet, in response to Cayman Compass queries on 27 Sept., said the airline will be maintaining a once weekly, non-stop service between the Cayman and Toronto beginning 16 Dec. “[We] remain committed to serving the Cayman Islands throughout the winter,” she added in her emailed response. The airline is the fifth international carrier to announce it will resume commercial service here and joins Air Canada in offering travel between Canada and Grand Cayman. Lawmakers get booster jabs Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle received their COVID-19 booster jabs this week. On 22 Oct. Governor Martyn Roper and Premier Wayne Panton, alongside members of the Cabinet, received a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine. On 28 Oct., members of the Opposition stepped up to receive their own booster shots. After the vaccination, Panton told the Compass he predicted Cayman was close to achieving a vaccination rate of 80% of 71,106 “in the coming few weeks”. At publication time, there had been 113,448 COVID-19 vaccinations given in total in the jurisdiction, according to a release from the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Of these, 56,365 people (79% of 71,106) have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 54,136 (76%) have completed the two-dose course. Additionally 2,947 people (representing 15% of those over the age of 50) have had a third, or booster, dose. Curfew breach trial of former cop delayed to 2022 A Summary Court trial for a former police officer accused of breaching COVID-19 curfew has been delayed. Cardiff Robinson, who was previously employed with the RCIPS as a constable, is charged with of a single count of breach of curfew. The charge stems from an allegation that Robinson on Thursday, 14 May 2020, breached the government- imposed shelter-in-place regulations by being at a dwelling other than his place of residence past curfew. At the time of the alleged incident, government had imposed a strict curfew for all non-essential workers between the hours of 8pm and 5am. Prior to the start of the trial, Judge Philippa McFarlane recused herself on the grounds of a “perceived” bias, because she had previously presided over a case in which Robinson had been involved. Robinson denies the allegation. He was released on bail and is expected to return for trial in January. 2 DUI arrests, 12 speeding tickets in resumed ‘Operation Quaker’ road safety push Police have made two arrests on suspicion of driving under the influence and issued 12 tickets for speeding, in the first weekend of the resumed ‘Operation Quaker’ road-safety campaign. The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service said in a press release that the focus of the campaign, which originally launched in May, was on “night time speeding and DUI”. The initiative resumed on Friday, 22 Oct. following a fatal collision, in which 37-year-old Filipino Carlos Luyang Patricio was killed on South Church Street on 16 Oct. In addition to the arrests for DUI and tickets issued for speeding, 24 further tickets were handed out over the first weekend of the resumed operation. The release states officers also responded to 16 calls for service for motor vehicle collisions during the same time period. No sightings of escaped racoon presumed too young to breed A raccoon, which escaped from a shipping container on 22 Oct., is presumed to be a juvenile animal and may not be old enough to breed, the Department of Agriculture has said. The animal, which was one of two found in West Bay, escaped while the other was trapped. There have been no further sightings of the raccoon, the DoA said, as the animal continues to evade capture. The department, responding to queries from the Cayman Compass, said that the captured raccoon was determined to be a juvenile male. “Based on the estimated age of the raccoon that was captured and information obtained from persons who saw both raccoons as to their relative size, the Department of Agriculture is of the opinion that the raccoon on the loose is also a juvenile and presumably not mature enough to breed,” it said in its emailed response to the Compass. Motorists can expect to see an increased police presence on Cayman’s roads as relaunched ‘Operation Quaker’ zeroes in on nighttime speeders and drunk drivers. - Photo: Taneos Ramsay (file) news in brief cayman compass 2 N news FRIDAY, 29 OCTOBER 2021Disclaimer : FIN Grand Cayman features and amenities are based on current development plans and concepts and are subject to change without notice. Some services and amenities are subject to service-based fees or homeowner fees. GRAND CAYMAN’S ART DECO ICON IS OPEN AND READY FOR OCCUPANCY Priced from US $2.5M Reserve your private tour and discover the last word in luxury + 1 345 526 7777 fin@fingrandcayman.com FIN.cayman fingrandcayman Owners are moving in, the pool is lled and ready for dips, the wine lockers are stocked, the Teslas are charging and the boats are wet. All that is missing is you! Three (3) residences remain for sale, a single level home with two oversized terraces, and two multi-level penthouses complete with private rooftop garden and plunge pool. Book a viewing today to discover why FIN is the Last Word in Luxury. Disclaimer : FIN Grand Cayman features and amenities are based on current development plans and concepts and are subject to change without notice. Some services and amenities are subject to service-based fees or homeowner fees. GRAND CAYMAN’S ART DECO ICON IS OPEN AND READY FOR OCCUPANCY Priced from US $2.5M Reserve your private tour and discover the last word in luxury + 1 345 526 7777 fin@fingrandcayman.com FIN.cayman fingrandcayman Owners are moving in, the pool is lled and ready for dips, the wine lockers are stocked, the Teslas are charging and the boats are wet. All that is missing is you! Three (3) residences remain for sale, a single level home with two oversized terraces, and two multi-level penthouses complete with private rooftop garden and plunge pool. Book a viewing today to discover why FIN is the Last Word in Luxury. Disclaimer : FIN Grand Cayman features and amenities are based on current development plans and concepts and are subject to change without notice. Some services and amenities are subject to service-based fees or homeowner fees. GRAND CAYMAN’S ART DECO ICON IS OPEN AND READY FOR OCCUPANCY Priced from US $2.5M Reserve your private tour and discover the last word in luxury + 1 345 526 7777 fin@fingrandcayman.com FIN.cayman fingrandcayman Owners are moving in, the pool is lled and ready for dips, the wine lockers are stocked, the Teslas are charging and the boats are wet. All that is missing is you! Three (3) residences remain for sale, a single level home with two oversized terraces, and two multi-level penthouses complete with private rooftop garden and plunge pool. Book a viewing today to discover why FIN is the Last Word in Luxury. cayman compass 3 FRIDAY, 29 OCTOBER 20211234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 Smooth-tongued (5) 4 Prepared statement to press (7) 8 Tear forcibly (3) 9 Reverse a previous action (9) 10 Acquit (7) 11 Sycophant (5) 13 Meagre (6) 15 Sought by the police (6) 18 Gain by determined effort (5) 19 In addition to (2,3,2) 21 Person used in experiment (6,3) 23 Unit of weight (3) 24 Told (7) 25 A culinary herb (5) DOWN 1 Excel (7) 2 Showing no emotion (9) 3 Capital of Afghanistan (5) 4 A team game (6) 5 An inflammable oil (7) 6 Strange (3) 7 Total score (5) 12 Strong aversion (9) 14 Forbearing (7) 16 Ability to resist attack (7) 17 Sluggish (6) 18 Bet (5) 20 Strictly imposed (5) 22 Badly (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16835 The numbers in the black cells are clues. Numbers above the slash are across clues. Number below the slash are down clues. The goal is to enter digits 1 - 9 in the white cells to add up to the number clues. You cannot enter any digit more than once when adding up to clue. TODAY'S SOLUTIONS Puzzle 16835 ACROSS: 1 Slick, 4 Handout, 8 Rip, 9 Backpedal, 10 Absolve, 11 Toady, 13 Skimpy, 15 Wanted, 18 Wrest, 19 On top of, 21 Guinea pig, 23 Ton, 24 Related, 25 Thyme. DOWN: 1 Surpass, 2 Impassive, 3 Kabul, 4 Hockey, 5 Naphtha, 6 Odd, 7 Tally, 12 Antipathy, 14 Patient, 16 Defence, 17 Torpid, 18 Wager, 20 Tight, 22 Ill. Escaped raccoon presumed too young to breed Crocodiles could not stay alive in GC. How much chance does a racoon have? This thing is in a stew pot... already. Not much different than a Cayman rabbit. – Terry Wuschenny Well hell, what would the raccoon be breeding with…since apparently there are no other raccoons ‘now’ on island. – Jim Norris Poor thing is not only lost, but also lost it's life partner. Raccoons are like penguins; one mates for life, no? – Emma Izquierdo Miranda It needs to be captured!. We’re dealing with Covid-19, this place is too small to deal with any more problems that could endanger people lives, or wildlife. Lets help DEH get some traps made and set out some sardines. Someone said they love sardines. – Star-Rose Ebanks If there are no other raccoons, what other raccoons is this gal or fella supposed to breed with? – Peggy Reds-Girl They are harmless, except to your trash cans. – Grant Musgrave 126 positive results in latest update We’re not staying positive. We all are thinking on the negative side even [though] we have so much cases here in the Cayman Islands. Remember to put god first in everything that you do. Thank god we don’t have [any] death as yet. We still have something to thank god for. – Noreen Dixon I think it’s crazy that the island is been put in Panic mode. Testing, testing, testing and half the positives don’t know they have it. The Brac queing for miles for testing to see if they are positive, but most asymptomatic... the rest just common flu symptoms. Covid is not going anywhere for years. Why not just count the hospitalisions instead and keep the panic at bay. Vaccinate, wear masks, etc. and stop testing people who are not sick! Otherwise Cayman is going to be put on the red list by other countries and the tourist industry still won’t come back.. (just my opinion).... – Gemma Clarkson Why are at home tests kits not made free or at a greatly reduced price to the public so we can self monitor? That would help to ease some pressure off the more resource-heavy testing that should be used primarily to confirm cases. – Robin Larkin What they’re saying Online Letters to the editor We have been yearly visitors to the Cayman Islands since 1979. It is quite regrettable that Cayman would not open its borders to those of us that have had COVID and proclaim natural immunity Research shows that people with natural immunity cannot pass along COVID to the islands. Whereas, it is a fact that currently those vaccinated are experiencing breakthrough cases of COVID. We personally know several people that have COVID and are fully vaccinated. If you look at countries like Israel and the United Kingdom, they are perfect examples. It is of utmost sadness that we are not allowed to enter what was once our home-away-from-home for the winter. Joni Leslie You could write a book about Jerry’s exploits, and perhaps someone should. His involvement affected so many people. Put quite simply, there was just no one quite like him before, during or since. Cayman was so fortunate to have him in its midst. His time with the Barefoot Brigade was the stuff of dreams. There are so many whose lives were so touched by his influence. He will never be forgotten. Mike Spragg From a Canadian who has been to Cayman more than 50 times in the last quarter century: Your Cayman COVID numbers are very disturbing. My city in Canada has a population of 184,000, which I believe is almost three times the size of Cayman. We have had a total of just over 5,000 recorded cases. Of those, 250-plus have been double-vaccinated. We have suffered a total of 70 deaths and currently our sole hospital has two patients. Yesterday, there were four new cases recorded and, at present, we have 25 active cases. What are you doing wrong, Cayman? I long to get back to your island paradise, sit on the beach at Rum Point, and have a spiced rum and coke. Roy Cummings Cayman’s COVID numbers ‘disturbing’ On the passing of Jerry Harper ‘Naturally COVID- immune’ visitors want to return to Cayman 2 DUI arrests, 12 speeding tickets in resumed ‘Operation Quaker’ road safety push Can see many, many more than that from my parents’ porch on any evening of the week between 9 and midnight. LOADS!!! Sham- rock Road Officers, come and see for yourselves just one evening. I promise you this is where revenue can be made to procure the body cams you desperately need, plus a possible pay rise. – Cyndy Ebanks Thank you Cayman police for keeping the roads safer. You are our frontliners too! Everyday heroes. – Jean Flores cayman compass 4 news N news FRIDAY, 29 OCTOBER 2021NORMA CONNOLLY nconnolly@compassmedia.ky As community spread of COVID-19 continues to escalate, demand for testing has ramped up across all three islands. By Thursday, 28 Oct., Cayman had reached 521 active cases of the virus, the highest the islands have experienced since the pandemic began. From the beginning of the local outbreak in early September, up to 28 Oct., a total of 626 community transmission cases have been recorded, but only four COVID-positive people have been hospitalised as a result. Until recently, the Sister Islands had been considered free of COVID-19, but cases have now been found there. Both Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are highly vaccinated, with fully-inoculated rates of more than 83.5%, and 95%, respectively. With the news of two local cases being found on Cayman Brac on 26 Oct., a large swathe of the population showed up to be tested at the Aston Rutty Civic Centre on the Bluff in the following days. Change to notifi cation process The escalating rate of new cases has led Public Health to change how it notifi es people that they are positive for the virus. Until recently, anyone who tested positive received a phone call from Public Health, outlining the next steps they should take and telling them to continue to quarantine until they test negative. Chief Medical Offi cer Dr. John Lee announced on 27 Oct. that Public Health would now email positive individuals about their status, in much the same way people who test negative are informed. Lee, in a video message, acknowledged the concerns within the communities on all three islands due to the rising cases, but also sought to reassure the public that the vast majority of those that test positive are likely to suffer only mild symptoms. “I think the good news is the large majority of us will sail through this,” he said. “We may have some minor symptoms, some nasal stuffi ness, some sore throat, some cough and a fever. But taking some paracetamol and simple measures such as this should see us through the event, especially if we’re vaccinated.” Cayman placed on CDC high-risk list The upswing in community transmission has led the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to add Cayman to its high-risk list for travel destinations. The CDC advises people to be fully vaccinated before travelling to high-risk places, and urges non-vaccinated travellers to avoid non-essential travel to those destinations. The agency uses COVID-19 data reported by the World Health Organization and other offi cial sources to make determinations related to its travel health risk levels. Under the primary criteria for inclusion on the agency’s Level 3 list, a destination like Cayman with a population of fewer than 100,000, must have had between 100 and 500 new cases within the previous 28 days. Secondary criteria include a destination’s testing rate and test-to-case ratio. As of 27 Oct., Cayman had seen 580 cases in the previous 28 days. The CDC regularly updates its travel health notices. The next level above ‘high risk’ is ‘very-high risk’ – the highest alert. The CDC advises no travel be undertaken to very- high-risk destinations. Under the next phase of Cayman’s reopening plan, scheduled for 20 Nov., only vaccinated tourists will be allowed to enter the islands, and quarantine will be removed for the majority of inoculated travellers. Roper: ‘Remain calm’ Governor Martyn Roper on 27 Oct. issued a statement in response to the surge in local cases in the community, saying, “I recognise this is a shock after we have lived comfortably and COVID free in our safe bubble for over a year.” The governor noted that while Cayman now has “lots of cases, hospitalisations are very few and those in hospital are doing well. We should remain calm.” He added, “We each have an individual responsibility to protect ourselves and our community. I encourage everyone to follow closely the health guidance. Wear a mask indoors, keep washing your hands and maintain a social distance. Those who aren’t vaccinated should make it a priority. The vaccine will protect you and the most vulnerable from serious illness or dying.” Roper also acknowledged concerns in the community that allowing tourists to return in November, when Cayman’s borders are set to reopen, may increase COVID numbers even more. However, he also noted, “in Turks and Caicos, which has stayed open to tourists, the majority of COVID cases are not from tourists, but from the local population travelling overseas and then circulating in the community”. “Removing quarantine for vaccinated travellers on 20 November is unlikely to increase our exposure to COVID dramatically," he stated. Health minister: Local cases were ‘inevitable’ Health Minister Sabrina Turner, in a statement, said Cayman is prepared for what she described as this “inevitable” community spread. She said a continuing rise in the number of cases is likely, given the increased testing that is under way, as well as the highly contagious nature of the Delta variant of the virus. “We can take heart from and be optimistic about the fact that the vast majority of our cases are mild to moderate, with very few cases thus far requiring either hospitalisation or oxygen support – and with most cases continuing to be asymptomatic,” she said. With the increasing number of tests that need to be processed at the government laboratory at the Health Services Authority, she said, it may take up to 72 hours for results to be returned, and she urged people to be patient “as we want to ensure that your results are accurate as well as timely”. She added that residents of the Sister Islands would receive the same support that the people of Grand Cayman were getting. Turner also announced that lateral fl ow tests would be distributed to schools on Cayman Brac as well as Grand Cayman, and announced that national guidelines on COVID-19 testing for children and students would be released soon. Local COVID cases continue to rise “I think the good news is the large majority of us will sail through this.” Dr. John Lee, Chief Medical Offi cer cayman compass news N news FRIDAY, 29 OCTOBER 2021 5 Cayman Brac residents, lined up in their cars, waited for more than an hour to be tested for COVID-19 on 27 Oct. - Photo: Amber TatumRESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky This month in our Cayman Compass Cold Case Files series, we continue to look into the four murders that marred September 2011. In this next installment, we focus on the killing of Preston Rivers. Ten years may have passed since West Bay resident Preston Rivers was gunned down near his girlfriend’s home, but for Chief Inspector Malcolm Kay the memory of the teenager’s killing remains fresh. “He’d been home, having a normal evening with his girlfriend and friends, and they had decided to just pop out into West Bay to pick up some food to bring home, and continue their evening at home. Unfortunately... that evening didn’t continue as planned,” he said as he sat down with the Compass to discuss the case, codenamed Operation Newt. Serious Crime Review team leader Peter Dean, who is leading the cold case investigation into the murder, said the victim’s tender age was what struck him. “I’ve got to say, yet again, another sad case of a young man losing his life for absolutely no reason whatsoever. He was 18 years of age,” Dean said. How it unfolded Kay said on the night of 17 Sept. he received a call that there was a shooting in West Bay on Andresen Road, off Conch Point Road. He said a team of officers was dispatched to the area and they arrived to find Rivers’ body. “He had received three gunshot wounds,” Kay said. Dean, in outlining the sequence of events leading up to the fatal shooting, said Rivers was ambushed as he left the car when he and his girlfriend returned from their takeout run. “Preston got out of the vehicle first, he was the front seat passenger, and as he made his way towards the door of the apartment, it would appear one lone gunman came out of hiding and shot him,” Dean said. He explained that officers believe four shots were fired, with three hitting Rivers. “He died as a result of these horrific injuries that the firearm inflicted upon him. We did, at the time, have a description of sorts of the person responsible... [The]main thing was that he was wearing a blue stripey top, [and he] seemed to be a younger fellow, and really that was all we got,” he said. Dean said ballistic evidence recovered at the scene of the killing confirmed the murder weapon was a .38-calibre firearm; that gun was later retrieved at another murder scene which they believe was connected to the September 2011 shooting spree. He said police received information following the murder, but it did not lead to an arrest or conviction. Kay said in the days leading up to his murder, Rivers reached out to police, expressing fears that he might be in danger because he had some connections with the gang activity, both through his friends and relatives. He added that those concerns were looked into at the time. However, Kay said, “unfortunately on this particular occasion, [on 17 Sept.] his worst fears were actually correct”. Investigations then and now, Dean said, have shown that gang affiliations played a major part in the “sequence of murders that took place in September of 2011”. Multiple murders left many unnerved Kay said the period around Rivers’s murder – the third of four killings that occurred in quick succession – was a time in his career like no other. “Having been in the police for 26 years, it was probably one of the hardest things to deal with... I think the murders were coming in every other day... it was completely unprecedented,” Kay said. He said while those killings were limited to gang affiliations, they still triggered fear in the wider public, and concern for the police as it was difficult to predict when the next incident was going to happen. “We had put several measures in place, additional patrols, additional firearm officers, and we had additional investigators working... out of a major incident room system that we’ve set up, separate and apart from the police station, to accommodate all the investigations so that any links between them could all be tied in together,” he said. Dean added, though some time has passed, he is hopeful the team can get the info they need to crack the case. “Although we did receive quite a lot of information from the public and, like in a lot of these cases, we have theories and we have thoughts about who may be responsible, but it’s all about having the evidence in order for the police to be able to assist the public in bringing these people to justice. We need help.” Earlier this year, the Coroner’s Court ruled Rivers’ murder an “unlawful killing” following an inquest. The medical evidence presented to the jury stated that the young man’s official cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds, with the shot to the back of the head the fatal blow. Kay said as an investigator, the fact that Rivers’ case remains unsolved still troubles him. “It’s difficult to put into words because you never put it to bed. I can only imagine how the family feel, how friends feel, but as an investigator, it never closes and you don’t put it out of your mind,” he said, adding that he’s solved other cases that have led to convictions. “You sort of file those away because they’ve been solved, but this one, with one or two other investigations that remain open, do stay with me,” he said. The senior officer said he hopes renewed efforts to solve the teenager’s murder can lead to him finally marking his case file ‘closed’. “If anybody does have any information, however small they may think it is... it may not be small to us. It might be that one little piece of the jigsaw puzzle that we needed to actually prove what we know, what we suspect,” he said. Kay added that while Rivers was on a path that may not have been the right one at that time, that should not be held against him. “Who hasn’t made a mistake?... Maybe he made a few errors in judgement with some life choices, but if he was here today 10 years older, who knows what he might be... being able to contribute to society. He might be a father, an employer, an employee,” he said. 10 years on, Preston Rivers’ murder remains unsolved Detective Sergeant Peter Dean. - Photo: Alvaro Serey Chief Inspector Malcolm Kay. - Photo: Alvaro Serey Preston Rivers, was killed on 17 Sept. 2011. - Photo: RCIPS Crime scene investigators map the scene. - Photo: File First responders on the scene. - Photo: File To see the full interview, see the video on caymancompass.com Anyone with information relating to Preston Rivers’ murder can call the Serious Crime Review Team confidential tip line at 649-2930. cayman compass news N news FRIDAY, 29 OCTOBER 2021 6 Combined with short wait times and convenient access, our Camana Bay clinic’s new extended opening hours make world-class healthcare more convenient than ever. We have also added orthopedic services to the wide range of specialties available at the clinic to help address your issues with join and muscle aches and pains. Expert doctors, lab services, diagnostics, friendly staff, and advanced care all in one convenient location - so you’ll feel better, faster. 1 (345) 640-4040 info@healthcity.ky www.healthcity.ky now available at the clinic Orthopedic Consults NOW OPEN MONDAY-SATURDAY 7AM-7PM | SUNDAY 12PM-4PM cayman compass 7 FRIDAY, 29 OCTOBER 2021Local advocate frustrated by delay RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky As Anti-Bullying Month comes to a close, Education Minister Juliana O’Connor-Connolly reiterated government’s commitment to “delivering supporting legislation” to address the issue in local schools. However, for parents like Janet Sinclair Young, founder of United Against Bullying Foundation, the promised legislation to deal with bullying is long overdue. “I truly believe it is not a priority, and it is disappointing because I have had discussions with several government entities regarding the issue of bullying and the grave effects it has on our children,” Sinclair Young said in an emailed response to the Cayman Compass. Sinclair Young, who formed the foundation in 2018 after her son had been bullied in school for two years, said although the issue is widely known and discussed, there is continued inaction when it comes to making a real difference. “I do feel that certain members of the public see and know that this is a really big issue but many tend to turn a blind eye, pretend it doesn’t exist or they are fearful of speaking out about it,” she said. Talking is not enough While Anti-Bullying Month, which is marked annually in October, highlights the issue and the psychological impacts that fl ow from being bullied, Sinclair Young said reports of this behaviour still continue to rise. “I fi rmly believe that the absence of a law and a formal policy has contributed to an increase in bullying incidents. Again, if there are no consequences for the actions of the perpetrators they will continue to display the ‘bully’ behaviour. When others see that this behaviour goes unpunished they too will follow the trend,” she said. She said since she started the foundation she has received at least two to three calls per week from parents seeking advice on how to address their children’s situation with bullying. O’Connor-Connolly, who was also the education minister in the previous Progressives-led administration, said in her Anti- Bullying Month message that in November 2020, the Education Council approved the National Anti-Bullying Policy for students. “The policy sets out schools’ responsibilities to counter bullying, establish consistent expectations and promote an understanding of all bullying-related issues. Since its introduction, all of our government schools and more than 70 per cent of independent educational institutions have used this critical document as a framework for developing their own anti-bullying policies,” she explained in her message. She said there is governmental commitment to amend the Education Act, 2016, to include the National Anti-Bullying Policy and develop Anti-Bullying (Schools) Regulations. However, no timeline has been given to make this happen. José S. Griffi th, director of the Cayman Islands Law Reform Commission, told the Compass that the fi nal report from the commission’s ‘Bullying: Legislation, Policy or Both?’ exercise contained a draft Education (Amendment) Bill, 2020 and a draft Anti-Bullying (Schools) Regulations, 2020. “Both... propose legislative measures to respond to the issues that touch and concern the incidence of bullying in all schools. The Commission is now functus offi cio (an offi cial whose duty has expired) in this matter,” he said via an emailed statement. He said it is now under the education ministry’s purview. As for Sinclair Young, she said she has no hope that this will come to fruition. “In this day and age where bullying is so prevalent and children are taking their own lives, I just can’t fathom why it’s taking the government so long to do something to protect our children. Why hasn’t anti-bullying legislation been made a priority?” she said. Sinclair Young, whose son suffered physical abuse at the hands of bullies, said when the law changes come to fruition she would like to see teachers and heads of schools being held accountable. “If bullying is not reported or addressed effectively, I would like to see consequences for the perpetrators and their parents... some type of fi ne or community service. I have realised if there are no consequences for this behaviour it will continue, because the perpetrators continue to get away with bad behaviour. This is why anti- bullying legislation is so important, and teachers and heads of school should not get to decide whether a law is passed or not,” she added. The Law Commission’s report recommended school administrators and staff be fi ned $3,000 for failing to implement those provisions. Parents and students who do not abide by the law can be fi ned $1,000. Efforts continue Family Resource Centre staff continue to champion efforts to address bullying and provide support to affected families. Charmaine Miller, FRC clinical supervisor, told the Compass the centre’s Stood Up campaign focusses on raising awareness and educating the public on bullying behaviour and how to stand up to bullying safely. The campaign, she said, also stresses “the importance of just opening the dialogue around recognising the signs, and how to respond to it safely, whether it is in the workplace or in the school setting as well as just amongst one another, recognising that bullying is something that is not okay. “It’s an intentional threat or behaviour where there’s an imbalance of power and control that obviously is negatively affecting somebody,” she added. Based on previous conversations with parents, Sinclair Young said children do not want to speak about their experience with bullying publicly because of fear of being labelled. “Even adults tend to label children as weak, or tell them that bullying is a part of growing up, it toughens your character, which is completely incorrect – not when you see the long-term effects this behaviour can have on children, that way of thinking is completely ludicrous,” she said. “According to research, children who display the bullying behaviour at school are also the ones who are perpetrators of cyberbullying. The fact that you can hide your identity by posting things anonymously makes them feel untouchable, hence cyberbullying is on the rise,” she added. Sinclair Young said getting this behaviour in schools “under control rests on the shoulders of the powers that be”. She urged parents to take an active role in recognising the signs of bullying, as well as talk to their children about bullying. “Explain what bullying is... tell them bullying is unacceptable, and if they witness bullying or experience the behaviour they should report it to an adult. Parents should check in with their kids often, ask them how their day was, listen to them and get to know their friends. Check in with their teacher; if your child is complaining of a belly ache or not wanting to go to school, fi nd out from a teacher what is happening,” she said. Janet Sinclair Young, founder of United Against Bullying Foundation. - Photo:Submitted Pending: Anti-bullying legislation - All government, assisted and independent schools must have an anti-bullying policy - All students and parents must feel supported when bullying is reported - Must state that bullying will not be tolerated, in any school or other educational establishment National Anti-Bullying Policy for schools cayman compass 8 news N news FRIDAY, 29 OCTOBER 2021cayman compass 9 FRIDAY, 29 OCTOBER 2021Next >