cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 16-22 December 2022 Premier: ‘Numbers’ run by international crime syndicates Page 7 Record turtle nests reported in Cayman Page 16 Jordan Crooks swims in World Championship fi nal Page 38 ID cards on the way Government approves voluntary identity systemPage 6 reported in Cayman Issues: Lost in the criminal system Pages 32-34 TM & © 2022 Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. 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 NEWS EDITOR CAROLINE JAMES BUSINESS EDITOR MICHAEL KLEIN ISSUES EDITOR JAMES WHITTAKER HEAD OF SALES CHERYL BIRCH-GILLIES weather Friday Forecast FORECAST Partly cloudy skies with a 30% chance of showers. SEA STATE Rough with a wave height of 5 to 7 feet. A small craft warning is in effect. WINDS East to northeast at 20 to 25 knots. 88°F HIGH 77°F LOW Two 24-hour businesses targeted in latest robberies Two more robberies are being investigated by police after two 24- hour businesses were targeted. According to information released by police, the first incident happened in Savannah on the evening of 13 Dec., at a restaurant in the Countryside shopping plaza. It was reported that a single male with this head and face covered, entered the premises brandishing a handgun and demanded cash. He made off with an undisclosed amount of money, heading in the direction of Newlands on foot. Police searched the area but failed to locate the suspect. The second incident took place just after 3:20am on 14 Dec., at a grocery store on Eastern Avenue in George Town. Three men entered the establishment, one armed with a handgun and the other two with knives. All three had their faces and heads covered and demanded cash. They also made off with an undisclosed amount of money, towards the rear of the store. According to police, no firearms were discharged and no injuries were reported during these incidents. “Detectives are working diligently to solve these robbery incidents that have been occurring, while our uniform operations have been increasing patrols and making themselves visible during key times and locations,” said Detective Superintendent Peter Lansdown. “We are encouraging business owners to take precautions like ensuring that they make regular and staggered bank deposits to limit loss and to employ additional security measures where possible, to reduce your chances of being victims of crimes,” he added. Anyone with information is asked to contact George Town CID at 949-4222. Anonymous tips can be provided directly to the RCIPS at 949-7777, or via the website. No clarity on beach- vending policy Government is yet to agree on a solution or a way forward on the issue of vending on Seven Mile Public Beach. Lands Minister Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, speaking in Parliament on 8 Dec., said the Public Lands Commission has prepared a policy that could be adopted to grant some permits to the vendors at Public Beach in accordance with the Public Lands regulations 2021. However, she said, “The policy is under active consideration by caucus and Cabinet at this time, as well as the overriding principle of whether or not to permit any vending at this location.” O’Connor-Connolly was responding to a parliamentary question from George Town North MP Joey Hew on the contentious issue. Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan said, in his view, vending should not be allowed on Public Beach. Speaking on the Cayman Compass weekly talkshow ‘The Resh Hour’ on 2 Nov., Bryan said the situation is already “out of control”. He noted that government has a proposal to address the issue. However, apart from O’Connor- Connolly’s statement in the House, there have been no updates on what the plan for dealing with the vendors would be. Dumping continuing after bulk waste collections end Garbage collectors have had to return five times to the same site in West Bay to remove household items and large pieces of rubbish that have been dumped by the roadside, more than a month after the Department of Environment Health finished its seasonal bulk waste collection in the district. People who missed the district- by-district collections appear to be continuing to drop off their rubbish in areas where the bulk waste had already been collected. In a statement issued on 12 Dec., DEH officials reminded the public that dumping of waste at sites other than the George Town or the Sister Islands landfills is against the law and the penalty for illegal dumping and littering is six months imprisonment and a minimum fine of $500. “[W]e are still seeing repeated illegal tipping at a site near the Ed Bush Stadium [d]espite messages clearly stating the end of these collections and DEH taping off this area,” Michael Haworth, DEH assistant director of solid waste, said in the statement. DEH Director Richard Simms said he has “zero tolerance” for the illegal bulk waste dumping which has forced the department to divert operations to clear this location for the fifth time. “We have contacted the RCIPS for assistance in this matter and we will seek to prosecute any persons who commit these offences,” he said. The DEH said, following the conclusion of the bulk waste collection in Grand Cayman, alternative arrangements should be made by individuals to transport their items to the George Town landfill, which operates from 7am to 5pm on weekdays, and from 7am to 1pm on Saturdays. The landfill is closed on Sundays. However, the drop-off facility at the gate remains accessible for the public and small vehicles 24 hours a day. Firefighters control ‘small fire’ at landfill Firefighters and Department of Environmental Health personnel have been monitoring an area at the George Town landfill where a small fire was discovered on the morning of 14 Dec. In a short statement to the Cayman Compass following queries, the DEH said at around 8:45am its staff “located smoke coming from a small area on the northern slope of the landfill”. The Cayman Islands Fire Service was contacted via 911 and quickly attended the scene. “The area was wet down and brought under control. Preliminary reports indicate that a small outboard motor was retrieved from the specific area as firefighters and DEH personnel continue to monitor the zone,” the statement said. In previous years fires at the landfill had become the norm; however, since remediation work commenced at the site, the number of incidents reported has dropped significantly. However, Opposition MP Joey Hew, in whose George Town North constituency the landfill sits, has consistently called for action on the ReGen project as the risk for fires at the site remains high. The negotiations on the financial close of the ReGen project, which will take control of the island’s waste management, are ongoing and it is expected that the final step in the deal will be finalised in early 2023. news in brief People are continuing to dump garbage on roads weeks after the Department of Environmental Health’s seasonal bulk waste collection ended. - Photo: DEH cayman compass 2 N news FRIDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2022 Matinees (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $9.00 (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 lm starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. 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SALES ENQUIRIES 345.526.7777 fin@fingrandcayman.com1234567 89 101112 13 1415 16 171819 20 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13 1415 16 171819 20 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 Repudiate (7) 5 Conjuring tricks (5) 8 Humbly (3,2,4) 9 Roadmaking material (3) 10 Enclosed area by a building (4) 12 An expedient (8) 14 Regularly followed procedure (6) 15 Perceptive (6) 17 In confidence (8) 18 To cast off (4) 21 Prohibit (3) 22 Spontaneously (2,7) 24 Put up (5) 25 Control and make use of (7) DOWN 1 Belittle (5) 2 Undermine (3) 3 Give free expression to (4) 4 Succumb to temptation (6) 5 Scene of uproar (8) 6 To experience (2,7) 7 Funeral procession (7) 11 Disposition to silence (9) 13 Become established (4,4) 14 Ludicrous (7) 16 Vehicle for use on snow (6) 19 Most undesirable part (5) 20 Stimulus (4) 23 Give false impression (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 17189 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 17189 ACROSS: 1 Disavow, 5 Magic, 8 Cap in hand, 9 Tar, 10 Yard, 12 Resource, 14 Ritual, 15 Astute, 17 Secretly, 18 Shed, 21 Ban, 22 On impulse, 24 Erect, 25 Harness. DOWN: 1 Decry, 2 Sap, 3 Vent, 4 Weaken, 5 Madhouse, 6 Go through, 7 Cortege, 11 Reticence, 13 Take root, 14 Risible, 16 Sleigh, 19 Dregs, 20 Spur, 23 Lie. Premier: Cayman’s Illegal lotteries run by international crime syndicates If you know who and where these tickets are being sold, why don’t the police do something about it? Increasing the fines will do nothing. Legalise a lottery and let people who want to buy tickets do so. It is legal almost everywhere else in the world. – Bruce Leibowitz House prices have increased exponentially in the last 5 years $100 invested in the stock market the day I was born (December 1959) is now worth $10,000. The key is to work hard, live well below your means, and save and invest the rest. Use that money to buy a home for your family and invest in a broad-based portfolio of stocks in well-run companies and it will all work out. You can reason- ably expect stocks to grow 7% faster than the rate of inflation over the long run. Just ignore the day-to-day, month-to-month, and year-to-year fluctuations and fear-mongering headlines, and invest regularly. We came from San Diego, California 10 years ago. Prices in Cayman are still very cheap in comparison and here we don’t have income taxes or property taxes. This IS paradise. – Debora G. Planning decision may pave way to skatepark closure Let’s continue doing away with recreation and crowd MORE people in. – Sara Harbison Mackay Destroying a world-class sporting and recreation facility, which caters to young people, without replacing it is very short-sighted. Not to mention that Black Pearl is a landmark asset that should be considered part of the country’s heritage and preserved accordingly. – Denis Olarou This is such disappointing news. I don’t understand why this has to be destroyed, this should be allowed to remain and any- thing that is built should be built around it. You can hardly get on the beach, and now taking this away seems to take away some- thing that was such a positive thing for the youths (and adults) to do. – Lorraine Clancy Ebanks Are they planning something else to keep the kids occupied? That place is always busy. It’s a real shame if they’re taking away and not replacing with something better for the kids. – Valerie Jeanine That is crazy. That area is already overdeveloped. I think it’s time for us to contact the designer, a pro skater, to ‘save the park’. – Yolande Hill Shocking... Kids love the skatepark. – Julie Edwards Let’s destroy a facility where our younger generation can come and cool off and stay out of trouble. – Sara Dixon Yes, let’s reduce the number of outdoor opportunities for our youth so all they’ll know is elec- tronic devices. – Ruth Smestad Anglin Taking away something good to build expensive apartments that Caymanians can’t even af- ford. – Ricky Scott Our Cayman children don’t have any entertainment on this island to go to anymore. Look at that tall building around the corner of Public Beach again. [Wasn’t that] supposed to be a water park at first go? This is why we have to go off island with our children. Everything is a building of concrete. Island gonna soon break off in pieces. – Charlene Rivers Government maintains higher fiscal surplus in third quarter Great, can they use some of that to build affordable housing now? We need a ton of apartment and houses built for Caymanians. And a shelter in each district would be great for temporary housing for people who are homeless. – Natascha Schroll-McLaughlin No clarity on beach- vending policy Oh, like how the waterfront high-rises enhance the beach experience? No detraction on the overdevelopment of eyesore $14 million condos, where beau- tiful, sensible and charming con- dos once stood. Give me a break. The overdevelopment of what was once a magical beach and island deserve all the heartache that comes with it… the traf- fic and beach vendors. Isn’t this what the government wished for? – Jennifer A. NO VENDORS on any public- accessed beaches. – Mervyn C. Lawmakers vote for government to consider a freeze on Sandbar licences There needs to be a limit on the number of boats and people on these places. It’s not good for the environment of these areas. – Glenda D. Mr. Arthur’s, the landmark store on the waterfront in George Town, has reopened after COVID shut it down, in time to celebrate the 125th anniversary of what used to be known as ‘7-11’. Arthur Bodden took over the store that his father Waid Stead Bodden built in 1897. When he died, the shop went to his daughter, Arthurlyn Scott, who ran it till her death in September last year. But now Arthurlyn’s niece, Alexandra Bodden Wright and her husband Mitchel Wright have once again opened its doors, offering everything from “traditional grab-and-go items” to local tea, pepper jelly and honey, plus “a new deck to watch the sunset”, says Bodden Wright. Pictured at the grand opening of the shop on 8 Dec. are from left, Alexandra Bodden Wright holding son Arthur, Mitchel Wright, Robi Bodden Beaudet holding daughter Chloe, Pierre-Yves Beaudet, Joy Merren and Truman Bodden. - Photo: Supplied What they’re saying Online Family affair pic of the week cayman compass 4 news N news FRIDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2022cayman compass 5 FRIDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2022 Insurance the Island Heritage way. For more information visit islandheritageinsurance.com or call +1 345 949 7280. Our warmest wishes this holiday season. As we look to the year ahead, the team at Island Heritage wish you good health and happiness. To our valued customers—we are grateful for your business. Friday, 23 December Closed at noon Monday, 26 December Closed all day Tuesday, 27 December Closed all day Wednesday, 28 December Open all day Thursday, 29 December Open all day Friday, 30 December Closed at noon Monday, 2 January Closed all day Tuesday, 3 January Open all day Holiday hours AD_holiday season + hours_10.2959x13.6654_FINAL_nov.15.2022.indd 1AD_holiday season + hours_10.2959x13.6654_FINAL_nov.15.2022.indd 115/11/2022 5:19 PM15/11/2022 5:19 PMMICHAEL KLEIN MKLEIN@COMPASSMEDIA.KY Government members have passed two pieces of legislation in Parliament that will pave the way for the creation of a digital identity register and the issuance of ID cards. The Opposition had called on the government to delay the tabling and debate of the Identification Register Bill 2022 and the Identification Card Bill for three months. Members of the Opposition argued that while they agreed in principle with the purpose of the bills, they had received complaints and concerns from constituency members that would require a wider and more comprehensive public outreach by the government on the issue. Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart wrote to André Ebanks, the minister for investment, innovation and social development, at the end of November requesting an extension to the public consultation. In the letter, McTaggart said some public concerns had arisen due to misunderstandings, but some were valid and needed attention. Deputy Opposition Leader Joey Hew, who was the minister responsible for the ID cards scheme under the previous Progressives-led government, said in Parliament on Monday, 12 Dec., that the Opposition had fielded calls from critics of a digital register and ID cards, as well as others who want to support the initiative but still have more questions. While it will be impossible to change the minds of some people and certain concerns may seem far-fetched, he said, there were people who still had genuine questions. “This bill is too important to the future of this country and to its people. It’s groundbreaking. It will set the platform for future development in our financial services. It will make lives easier for people. I agree with all of that,” Hew said. However, he urged government to withdraw the proposed legislation “to give themselves Government passes ID card legislation more time for some proper town hall meetings, proper public consultation”. Ebanks said government had held media roundtables, issued press releases and social media posts, and spoke on the topic in TV and radio broadcasts to reach the widest possible audience throughout the public consultation period. In addition, government had created a website that explained the two bills and addressed questions by the public both online and in person. Innovative tool Ebanks said the objective is to provide an innovative tool to help individuals prove their identity, to improve Cayman’s digital infrastructure and thereby “modernise government services to save time and hassle”. Under the legislation, the ID card scheme remains entirely voluntary, while the information that is collected by the digital registry does not contain any information that government does not already have. However, it will enable government to centralise the information in one repository, so that it can be accessed under specific conditions without having to request paper copies from individuals over and over again. Individuals will retain control over how much of their data is shared and with whom. Access to the data will be recorded and time-stamped. Penalties for misuse of data The legislation contains criminal penalties of up to a $10,000 fine and two-year imprisonment for misuse and unauthorised collection of personal data, and double those penalties for unlawfully accessing the register and an individual’s personal data. Ebanks questioned the value of town hall meetings, which would either be a forum where he would be talking to friends and supporters, or a debate with critics who would continue to misconstrue the provisions of the act. This is “why certain transformative changes in this country haven’t occurred because of that confusion and the government not taking a position and just forging ahead in a way that accommodates those adequately who have concerns,” the minister said. Some of the critical theories related to the digital register and ID cards suggested they would lead to anything from a digital currency, direct taxation, mandatory vaccine requirements and travel restrictions to a widespread national surveillance system. “That might sound fanciful and far- fetched to many, but we can alleviate their concerns by giving them a freedom of choice at committee stage and let those who want to pursue go forward,” Ebanks said, referring to amendments making participation in the digital registry voluntary. When the bills for the ID card system and the registry went through the committee stage on Wednesday, 14 Dec., the minister made further amendments which he said addressed most of the other concerns of constituents. Speaking during the debate on the bill on Monday, Premier Wayne Panton said it was unlikely additional time would change the opinion of the critics, which he believes are a “relatively narrow range of people that are concerned about this to the point of not being willing to listen to any explanations”. Attorney General Samuel Bulgin said his office had examined the legislation from a human rights perspective and not found any fundamental issues with privacy or other rights. He underlined the voluntary nature of the legislation giving people the choice to opt-in, making it difficult to see how anybody’s rights could be prejudiced. In addition, he said, the legislation will be complemented by the Data Protection Act, supporting all the privacy safeguards in the bills. The legislation will not come into effect before July 2023. In the meantime, while the software and hardware are being rolled out, Ebanks said government will continue to provide information to the public to address any questions that remain. The bills were unanimously passed on their third readings on 14 Dec. When the legislation comes into effect Under the legislation, the ID card scheme remains entirely voluntary, while the information that is collected by the digital registry does not contain any information that government does not already have . July 2023 cayman compass 6 news N news FRIDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2022 For emergency assistance outside of office hours, please contact 946-HELP (4357) Friday, 23 December 2022 Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Cashiers will close at 11:00 a.m. Offices will re-open Wednesday, 28 December 2022 Friday, 30 December 2022 Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Cashier will close at 11:00 a.m. Offices will re-open Tuesday, 3 January 2023 The Board, Management and Staff of Water Authority wish you and yours a safe and healthy holiday season and extend best wishes for the New Year! Season’s Greetings! Season’s Greetings!NORMA CONNOLLY nconnolly@compassmedia.ky Illegal lotteries, known as ‘numbers’, are being run on island by international crime syndicates and are generating between $30 million and $50 million a year, legislators were told during a debate on amending Cayman’s gambling laws. Police have linked a number of armed robberies, and one murder, to the illegal lotteries, prompting Premier Wayne Panton and his government to move forward with a motion to amend the 59-year-old Gambling Act, which currently has fines as low as $10 for involvement in illicit gambling. Panton presented the bill to Parliament on Wednesday, 7 Dec., after MPs approved a plan to bring a referendum in which the public can decide if a legal national lottery should be introduced. However, no final vote was taken on the Gambling (Amendment) Bill following the two-day debate which resumed on Monday. Panton stated that the debate had shown that while members agreed that something needed to be done to combat the illegal numbers game and the violence associated with it, there was no clear consensus on the way forward. Instead, the bill was referred to a select committee of the whole House and will be dealt with at a future date. Organised crime Describing the annual turnover from numbers in Cayman as “staggering”, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson told the House during the debate that a conservative estimate of the monies generated was between $30 million and $50 million a year, depending on the number of syndicates operating at the time. Manderson noted that illegal gambling is “managed and controlled by organised crime syndicates who accumulate significant criminal assets, funding a criminal lifestyle, feeding an illicit underground black-market economy in an uncontrolled environment, and significantly and adversely affecting our most vulnerable persons in our society”. Following discussions with Governor Martyn Roper and Commissioner of Police Derek Byrne, as well as his own research, Panton said, “I am convinced we are not dealing with a small, unsophisticated, friendly neighbourhood game of bingo. This is about participants in illegal gambling being directly facilitated by and supported by organised crime, which benefits international syndicates.” He said these syndicates and their local illegal gambling operations were also connected with cross-border money laundering, tax evasion and other financial crimes. Panton added that small businesses that appeared to be legitimate, but were in fact selling numbers or acting as money-laundering outfits for the money generated by gambling, were securing work permits for individuals whose sole job was to sell illegal lottery tickets. Gambling in any form, other than raffle tickets for charitable organisations, is not legal in Cayman. The numbers game enables people here to illegally buy tickets for lotteries being held in Jamaica, Honduras, the British Virgin Islands and Belize, among others, with some being held several times a day. Panton noted that it’s not just overseas lotteries that people are gambling on. They are also putting their money on international horse racing, as well as local cock fighting and dog fighting. He told the House that the inadequacy of the existing penalties under the Gambling Act for illegal gambling and related crimes had fuelled an “unsettling amount of serious, violent offences in the Cayman Islands”. “We must address this cross- border threat, we must address the serious crimes, and we must address the open violation of the law. We certainly cannot allow criminals from overseas to deal with gambling-related conflicts in our beautiful country, nor turn a blind eye to the movement of illicit cash out of the country,” he said. This movement of money could damage Cayman’s reputation as a regulated financial services centre, he said, adding, “We know that the proceeds of this illicit [activity], a lot of it cannot be banked here, a lot of it is leaving the country in a variety of ways, and it is creating a risk for us.” McLaughlin: Robbery link is ‘hyperbole’ The popularity of numbers in Cayman makes this legislation to increase penalties for partaking in gambling an unpopular one – something several politicians on both sides of the aisle acknowledged. While those in favour of the bill insisted that the increased penalties would act as a deterrent, those opposed to it said it would simply lead to more people being put behind bars in Northward or Fairbanks prisons. Red Bay MP, and former premier, Alden McLaughlin said this bill had been “foisted” on him in 2018 when his Progressives-led government was in power, and he had instructed the attorney general to defer it indefinitely because of the detrimental impact he believed it would have on local residents who partake in the lotteries. He accused the PACT government of using “hyperbole” about armed robberies to push through the legislation, saying increasing penalties for buying numbers would disproportionally affect ordinary Caymanians, Jamaicans and Latinos on island. He added that armed robbers were targeting many different types of businesses, including restaurants and shops, not just premises where illegal gambling is being carried out. Both he and the deputy Opposition leader Joey Hew questioned why a government that is bringing a referendum that would potentially decriminalise small amounts of marijuana so that ganja users don’t get a criminal record or wind up in prison, would support legislation that could see someone who buys a lottery ticket receiving a $20,000 fine or being jailed for four years. “The government has really got to stop being so schizophrenic about these things, you have to decide where you stand on these issues, you can’t have it both ways,” McLaughlin said. He also suggested that it was the buyers - whom he said were often senior citizens - rather than the sellers or the syndicates that would be ones who were ultimately penalised as it would be easier to catch and prosecute them. He added that he would support a national lottery, but, echoing comments from West Bay West MP McKeeva Bush, said it was unlikely that such a lottery would mean an end to the illegal numbers game. Accusing McLaughlin of “mischief”, Panton pointed out, in response, that the legislation was not designed to prosecute those buying lottery tickets and said it was inaccurate to suggest that a buyer would ever be fined $20,000 or imprisoned for four years. However, he noted that the existing law already makes it an offence to partake in illegal gambling, therefore if a person is convicted of it, they would get a criminal record under the current legislation. Bush: Legalise numbers Bush, in his submission, said creating a legal national lottery in Cayman would not stop people partaking in illegal numbers, and he called for the bill to be amended in such a way as to legalise the existing numbers game rather than create an entirely new lottery. Money generated by legalising the numbers game could then be used for education, housing, and stipend payments for the elderly, he said. “If this House is serious about stopping criminality, the way to stop the illegal numbers game is to make it legal,” Bush said. He said other island jurisdictions that had created legal national lotteries had not led to the disappearance of illegal lotteries in those places. Panton responded that there was not a mandate from the people of Cayman to legalise numbers, as the referendum had not yet been held. Hierarchal structure Deputy Governor Manderson told the House that the existing penalties in the law were no deterrent for those who sell and organise the illegal numbers. For example, he said, the penalty for keeping a gaming house currently was $400, or 12 months in prison, or committing an act of illegal gambling is $10 or two months in prison. “The increased sanctions and fines for a range of gambling offences contained in the new bill will act as a strong deterrent to decentivise those persons who engage in illegal gambling across the Cayman Islands,” he said. Manderson said police intelligence had indicated that an organised, hierarchal structure exists in the numbers game enterprises, consisting of teams of salespersons and senior salespersons who work on behalf of small group of coordinators. “It is believed that a number of syndicates or organised crime groups, headed by a principal subject, operate within the Cayman Islands. There are defined roles within the organised crime group, with the principal subject coordinating subordinates to sell numbers, collect debts, pay out winnings and transfer money,” Manderson said. Local businesses, usually licensed premises mostly based in George Town, are used as locations where numbers are sold. “These criminal activities run alongside legitimate small-business enterprises and the majority of those involved are supplementing income received from legal employment with additional funds generated from the sale of numbers from foreign lotteries,” Manderson said. Numbers sellers and premises are in turn being targetted by robbers who know that there are large amounts of cash available. Often, these robberies go unreported, he said. A retired prison officer, Harry Elliott, 62, was shot dead during what police believe was an attempted robbery at a premises linked to illegal gambling. Manderson said rather than sending people to prison for buying illegal lottery tickets, the intention of amending the bill to increase penalties was to discourage individuals from taking part in illegal gambling, and ensuring more security and safety for the people of Cayman. Premier: Cayman’s illegal lotteries run by international crime syndicates [Panton] told the House that the inadequacy of the existing penalties under the Gambling Act for illegal gambling and related crimes had fuelled an “unsettling amount of serious, violent offences in the Cayman Islands” . cayman compass 7 news N news FRIDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2022NORMA CONNOLLY nconnolly@compassmedia.ky Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan has announced that the stayover tourist numbers for November were the highest of this year, with 34,118 people flying to the islands. This brings the total number of stayover arrivals between January and November to 236,348, which equates to 53% of 2019’s total arrival numbers. After Cayman's borders reopened, Bryan and his Ministry of Tourism set a target for 2022 of 40% of 2019’s numbers – equating to 200,000 visitors. By the end of last month, that target had been exceeded by 36,000 passengers, he told legislators in a tourism update in Parliament on Wednesday, 14 Dec. Arrival numbers have been steadily ramping up since Cayman partially reopened its borders in October last year. COVID-19 travel restrictions were finally fully dropped in August this year. Bryan said even the normally slow summer months of June and July had shown impressive numbers this year, with 26,106 and 32,356 arrivals, respectively. He said the arrival numbers throughout the year had shown “vast improvement” from January when just 14% of January 2019 numbers were recorded. Now, he said, “For the last quarter of this year, air arrivals are running at close to 90%” of the monthly 2019 levels. The minister had also set a target of $15 million for tourism taxes and fees. By the end of October, $14.5 million had been collected, “just shy of the target”, he said, and with two months left in the year to make up the difference. Explaining why the tax revenue statistics for November are not yet available, Bryan said that tourism accommodation taxes are remitted on the 28th of the following month. “Our tourism results clearly demonstrate that confidence in our destination is rebounding, both from passengers and industry partners,” the tourism minister told legislators. Cruise arrivals Bryan had also set the same 40% target for cruise arrivals for this year. By the end of November, the numbers were 38% of the 2019 figures, just 2% below target, and still with a month to go, he said, so he is confident that the target will be reached. He reminded lawmakers that Cayman did not reintroduce cruise tourism until March this year, so only nine months of arrivals are being counted for 2022. Between March and November, cruise lines made 206 stops here, bringing 614,959 passengers. He said, as with air arrivals, November has also proved to be the most successful month for cruise passenger arrivals, with ships bringing 105,754 travellers to local shores. However, with two major cruise lines – Royal Caribbean and Carnival – announcing they will not be bringing their newer megaships to Cayman because, without a cruise dock, it will take too long to bring passengers to shore by tenders, Bryan said it was unlikely 2023 or 2024 would reach 2019 figures. He said the passenger count for Cayman from Royal Caribbean in 2019 was 400,000, and this was expected to go down to 330,000 in 2023 and to 300,000 in 2024, while Carnival, which had made 327 calls to Cayman in 2019 would be only making 171 next year. The ministry is in talks with cruise lines like MSC and Holland-America, he said, to maintain and potentially increase their stops in Cayman. Bryan said he intended to have discussions with cruise lines next year to talk about “flattening” the seasonality of cruise stops, so that the high and low seasons would not have such different numbers. He has invited the former minister of tourism, Moses Kirkconnell, who is a member of the Opposition, to take part in these talks. November best tourism month so far this year Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan welcomes passengers from the Disney Magic, the first cruise ship to arrive in Cayman in March 2022 after a COVID-19-related ban on cruise was lifted. - Photo: Taneos Ramsay cayman compass 8 news N news FRIDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2022 Contact 911 in the event of an electrical emergency CUC’s Christmas Closures On Friday, December 23, our Customer Service Centre at Caribbean Plaza and our Administrative Offices on North Sound Road will close at noon for Christmas. These offices will reopen for business on Wednesday, December 28 at 9:00 a.m. Gift Certificates from CUC that can be used towards paying electricity bills are available in denominations of $25, $50 and $100 from our Customer Service Centre. Visit www.cuc-cayman.com for a complete list of our online bill payment options. Bill payments can be made at our remote payment locations across Grand Cayman during their respective holiday hours. Warmest wishes for a blessed Christmas!cayman compass 9 FRIDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2022 Dr Kelly Johnston Orthopaedic Surgeon Book a consultation with Dr Johnston at Cayman Orthopaedic Group today. (345) 945-8380 Dr Kelly Johnston, one of Canada’s leading orthopaedic surgeons and chief of hip and knee surgery in Calgary, is visiting Cayman Orthopaedic Group from December 26 – January 2. Dr Johnston specialises in same-day discharge total hip replacement, minimally invasive total knee replacement, and hip preservation surgeries. Get your life back - the relief you need is close to home. Pain-free mobility is just around the corner. CSG Kelly Johnston Ad-08.indd 1CSG Kelly Johnston Ad-08.indd 12022-12-07 5:18 PM2022-12-07 5:18 PMNext >