cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 21-27 April 2023 Prison sentences for corrupt football execs Page 3 56 crashes a week prompt police rethink Page 8 MPs’ declarations of interests Pages 20-21 KING TIDES FLOOD LOW-LYING AREAS Page 15 Phot o: T aneos Ramsa yMatinees (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. BEACON FARMS (PG-13) (WED) 6:30 COLDPLAY LIVE AT RIVER PLATE (PG-13) (SUN) 4:00 | 4:00 VIP DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES (PG-13) (FRI-SAT, MON-THURS) 3:55 | 9:40 VIP (SUN) 3:30 VIP | 3:45 | 6:35 VIP | 9:40 VIP EVIL DEAD RISE (R) (FRI-SAT, MON, WED-THURS) 4:15 VIP | 7:00 VIP | 7:30 | 9:30 VIP | 10:00 (TUES) 4:15 VIP | 7:30 | 10:00 | 10:00 VIP JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 (R) (FRI-SAT, MON-TUES, THURS) 3:30 VIP | 3:40 | 9:00 VIP (WED) 3:30 VIP | 9:00 VIP KISI KA BHAI KISI KI JAAN (TBC) (FRI-SAT, MON-THURS) 7:00 (SUN) 7:10 | 8:00 VIP | 9:10 SUPER MARIO BROS: THE MOVIE (PG) (FRI-SAT, MON-TUES, THURS) 4:05 VIP | 4:25 | 7:15 | 7:15 VIP | 9:35 (SUN) 4:05 VIP | 4:25 | 6:45 | 7:15 | 7:15 VIP | 9:35 | 9:35 VIP (WED) 3:50 | 4:05 VIP | 7:15 VIP | 9:35 THE POPE’S EXORCIST (R) (FRI-SAT, MON-TUES, THURS) 6:25 VIP | 10:15 (WED) 6:25 VIP WHAT’S PLAYING THIS WEEK KIDS CLUB BEAUTY & THE BEAST SATURDAY 10AM VIP AVAILABLE (G) (1991) CLASSICS A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN TUESDAY 6:45PM VIP (PG) KIDS CLUB DUMBO SATURDAY 10AM VIP AVAILABLE (G) FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass 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 weather Friday Forecast FORECAST Partly cloudy skies with a 20% chance of showers. SEA STATE Smooth with a wave height of fewer than 2 feet. WINDS East to southeast at 5 to 10 knots. 87°F HIGH 74°F LOW NEWS EDITOR CAROLINE JAMES ISSUES EDITOR JAMES WHITTAKER HEAD OF SALES CHERYL BIRCH-GILLIES news in brief Former Miss Cayman Universe sentencing delayed till June Tiffany Conolly, the former Miss Cayman Islands Universe, will have to wait another seven weeks to learn her fate, after the Summary Court adjourned her sentencing hearing due to an incomplete social inquiry report. “Today’s [Thursday, 20 April] hearing will have to be adjourned, no fault of Miss Connolly, as her probation officer has been out of office for an extended period of time,” explained Magistrate Philippa McFarlane. Conolly 25, of West Bay, was found guilty of all the charges against her, which consisted of two counts of assault, two counts of damage to property, two counts of assaulting police and one count of disorderly conduct. “The evidence against you was overwhelming,” said McFarlane, as she delivered a verbal judgment against Conolly on 9 Feb. Conolly told the court she has met with a probation officer since her conviction, and has since been told she has been assigned a new probation officer who would produce the social inquiry report. These reports are used by judges to assess the defendant when returning their ruling. The reports take into account the defendant’s upbringing, level of education, attitude towards the offence and the likelihood of reoffending, among other things. Conolly was released on bail and is expected to return to court on 7 June. Following her conviction, Conolly was replaced by first runner up Chloe Powery-Doxey, who went on to represent Cayman at the Miss Universe pageant in January. Powery-Doxey will be officially crowned on Friday, 28 April. 20 hospitalised with COVID in March, 1 death reported According to the latest Ministry of Health update, one COVID-positive person died and 20 with the virus were admitted to hospital during March. The ministry’s monthly ‘Public Health Spotlight‘ bulletin, issued on 18 April, detailed the latest COVID- related statistics. The data did not differentiate between patients admitted for treatment in relation to their COVID infection and those who tested positive for the virus when screened on admission and receiving care for other medical needs. The report also did not specify if the COVID-positive person who died was being treated in relation to the virus or for a comorbidity. Five of the patients hospitalised in March required supplemental oxygen, but none were ventilated, according to the report. The bulletin noted there had been a slight increase in the number of people hospitalised with the virus – 20 last month compared to 17 in February. Also in February, three people who had tested positive for COVID died. Carnivorous moustached snail on the loose An invasive carnivorous species of snail with moustache-like tentacles has been discovered in Grand Cayman. The Department of Environment is asking the public to help find the snails before they do irreversible harm to the island’s native snail populations. “It can be particularly damaging because not only is it able to breed on its own but it actually hunts and eats other snails,” DoE Terrestrial Resources Unit manager Fred Burton told the Compass. Euglandina rosea, also known as the rosy wolf snail or cannibal snail, is originally from the hardwood forests, shrubs and gardens of the southern United States. The DoE suspects it arrived on island in a shipment of potted plants. Three have been spotted in Grand Cayman so far – near Hirst Road, Lower Valley and Seven Mile Beach – which suggests they have been around a while and have already spread, Burton said. The snails are a major contributor to the extinction of 234 mollusc species in dozens of countries and are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s list of 100 of the world’s worst invasive species. “This is bad news for Cayman’s native snails,” Burton said, adding that there are about 48 recorded species of native snail, with 30 considered unique to Cayman. If anyone spots what they suspect to be one of the snails, the DoE says they should immediately capture it in a closed container with small holes for air. They should also take a photograph and send it to doe@gov.ky so that it can be identified. The snails, which are most active in April and May, are hermaphrodites – both male and female – and can lay 25 to 35 eggs in the soil which hatch after 30 to 40 days. Adults range in size from 7-10 centimetres (3-4 inches), where the dimensions of its oblong shell are about 46-76 millimetres (1.8-3 inches) long and 21-27.5mm (0.8-1 inches) in diameter. Police arrest wanted man Police have arrested 26-year- old Malik Joseph McDonald, who was wanted in relation to firearms offences. On Friday, 14 April, the RCIPS issued a plea for the public’s assistance in finding McDonald, who police described at the time as believed to be “armed and dangerous”. On Wednesday, 19 April, police announced he had been arrested and remained in custody as investigations continue. The RCIPS thanked the public for assisting police in their search for the wanted man. The invasive rosy wolf or cannibal snail has been found in Cayman. – Photo: Department of Environment cayman compass 2 N news WEEKLY, 21-27 APRIL 2023WEEKLY, 21-27 APRIL 2023 JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky Disgraced football executive Canover Watson has been sentenced to eight years in jail following his conviction on fraud and money-laundering charges. His co-accused, former colleague Bruce Blake, received a two-year prison term on related charges of false accounting. Handing down the sentences on Wednesday, 19 April, Chief Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale said the offences had “outraged” the community. But she also expressed sorrow at the “squandering of such immense potential”. Highlighting the two mens’ academic and professional accomplishments and contributions to society, she said they had disappointed the community and damaged the reputation of the jurisdiction. She refuted a narrative advanced by Watson, the chief architect of the scheme, that the offences had ultimately benefitted the Cayman Islands Football Association, pointedly telling him, “There is no Robin Hood here.” The sentences follow a trial that saw Watson convicted on all charges against him related to sending false invoices of US$1.54 million to regional Multiple-year sentences for football execs “There is no Robin Hood here.” – Chief Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale Canover Watson outside court on Wednesday, 19 April, when he received an eight-year prison sentence for fraud. - Photo: James Whittaker football confederation CONCACAF and then laundering the stolen funds through the Cayman Islands Football Association. Blake was cleared of money laundering but convicted on two false-accounting charges. The prison terms fell short of the lengthy sentences called for by prosecutors. Both men were senior officials at the Cayman Islands Football Association at the time the offences took place in 2013 and 2014. Ramsay-Hale said the “community’s sorrow” at the cayman compass news N news 31234567 89 101112 13 1415 16 171819 20 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13 1415 16 171819 20 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 Prevalent (7) 5 Collide violently (5) 8 Completely developed (4-5) 9 Nocturnal bird of prey (3) 10 Impress deeply (4) 12 Payment to shareholders (8) 14 An uproar (6) 15 Establish truth of (6) 17 Excessively (2,1,5) 18 Abandoned (4) 21 A particular skill (3) 22 An experienced veteran (3,6) 24 Concise (5) 25 Busy (7) DOWN 1 Tactless blunder (5) 2 Nothing (3) 3 Long loose outer garment (4) 4 Chance of success (4-2) 5 Take into account (8) 6 Simultaneously (2,3,4) 7 A break from work (7) 11 Follow (4,5) 13 Noticeably superior to (3,5) 14 Withdraw (7) 16 Solemn promise (6) 19 Weary (5) 20 Male deer (4) 23 Quip (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 17297 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 17297 ACROSS: 1 General, 5 Crash, 8 Full-blown, 9 Owl, 10 Etch, 12 Dividend, 14 Rumpus, 15 Verify, 17 To a fault, 18 Left, 21 Art, 22 Old stager, 24 Terse, 25 Engaged. DOWN: 1 Gaffe, 2 Nil, 3 Robe, 4 Look-in, 5 Consider, 6 At one time, 7 Holiday, 11 Come after, 13 Cut above, 14 Retract, 16 Pledge, 19 Tired, 20 Stag, 23 Gag. What they’re saying Online Cayman’s young thespians have been rehearsing the junior version of Disney’s animated film ‘Moana’ and are ready to showcase their efforts at the Harquail Theatre. The smash hit was released in 2016, with Auli’i Cravalho as the voice of Moana and Dwayne Johnson as the demigod Maui. It also produced a number of popular songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, such as ‘How Far I’ll Go’, ‘Shiny’, and ‘You’re Welcome’. Performances of the Cayman Music School production of ‘Moana Jr.’, which includes students from across Cayman, are at 6pm on 21 April; 3pm and 6pm on 22 April; and 3pm on 23 April. Tickets are $25 for children under 12 and $30 for adults, and are available online at eventpro.ky. - Photo: Submitted Making a splash pic of the week 56 crashes a week as police re-examine speeding, DUI enforcement Maybe actually be posted on the road during rush hour times and actually stop people driving recklessly. And make it much harder to get your licence, it’s such a joke. Natascha Schroll-McLaughlin Make them earn a licence rather than just get one on Amazon or Ebay. Jerry Young This morning at about 6:20am I was driving westbound between the Red Bay and Grand Harbour roundabouts in the middle lane. I saw a car behind me in the right lane, they moved all the way to the left lane and I assumed they were going to take the South Sound exit. Nope, they sped up, crossed me and went all the way back to the far right lane again. Clearly the driving test needs to be more difficult and tickets issued for undertaking (as well as unnecessarily occupying the passing lane). Tracy Rankine More policing at night and stronger penalties for crashes. Our roads have become very dangerous for new drivers, with all the speeding and racing taking place. Getting back home safely these days is a blessing. Katrina Turner The best way to reduce the number of DUIs and road deaths they cause is to break the taxi cartel and allow affordable ride- sharing like Uber. Of course, this will never happen as the ministers would have to be brave and risk losing their seat. Francis E. Protecting paradise: Little Cayman looks to future with a wary eye on Grand Let Grand Cayman be a lesson learnt how NOT to do things if you want to preserve the beauty that everyone so loves on Little Cayman! Andrew Veganic Leave Little Cayman and the Brac alone! Jared Bush My only issue with Little is the lack of locals and Caymanian cuisine but, other than that, no changes should be made. It needs to be left alone! Focus on ruining Grand Cayman, leave the Sister Islands be. Sarasue McField Little Cayman is very unique and should not be damaged like the rest of the islands. Linett Sanderson-Smith Carnivorous moustached snail on the loose Another edition of “Nature terrifying humans”. Kimberley Ebanks I have seen these on my soursop tree. I had never seen them before. They didn’t last long. Killed the buggers. Juline Black Any known predators? Are they edible? Seth Zirin Just throw salt on them. Nora Mcleod What do they eat? Gillian Chong Ping Oddly terrifying. Anne Briggs Children find their puppies dead after suspected poisoning’ What happened to the nice little island of years ago? Mary Nelson A better question than what has happened: What is the solution? How do we fix this? Corona Ecclefield Reinforce the laws and make these people accountable for their crimes! Pretty scary to have these types of individuals walking, going to work, living a normal life within the community. We need to unite. See something, say something! Report and follow. Emmanuela Quesada A good start would be banning that poison from being available to purchase! Michele Brown Ebanks This happens way too often on the island. Deborah Hoerz Oh my god. What a cruel act. Sharon Nephew A special place in hell for people who do this! Kelly R. Cayman women out of 2023 CONCACAF U20 tournament That’s what happens when you mostly send 15 and 16 year olds to play against older teams. Tania Johnson Look at the populations of Trinidad and Puerto Rico. We were grossly outwomanned – no surprise here. Our ladies did their best against outrageous odds. Trusty2man D. Cayman Proud. Better luck next time. Keep training and keep pushing. We are proud of each of you all the same. Patrice Boothe What year has Cayman ever qualified for CONCACAF championships or the World Cup? Mena Ebanks cayman compass 4 news N news WEEKLY, 21-27 APRIL 2023Childhood Immunization Schedule – 2023 CAYMAN ISLANDS For more information, please call (345) 244-2648 AGE At birth 6 weeks 2 months 4 months 6 months 9 months 12 months 15 months 3-6 years 11-12 years (girls) 14-16 years Hepatitis B Hep BHep BHep B Bacillus Calmette- Guerin (BCG) for tuberculosis (TB) BCG Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis DTaPDTaPDTaP DTaP Booster 1 DTaP Booster 2 (4yrs) Td/Tdap Inactivated Poliovirus IPVIPVIPV IPV (4yrs) Haemophilus Influenzae Type b HibHibHibHib RotavirusRVRVRV Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine PCVPCVPCV PCV Influenza - Yearly (2 doses for some) 6 months & older Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR)a MMR 18mths. MMR Varicellab (Chickenpox) Varicella Varicella (4yrs) Human Papillomavirusc (HPV4) 2-dose series ≥ 15yrs 3-dose series VACCINE • Rotavirus Vaccine is given orally (by mouth). All other vaccines are given by injection • DTaP, IPV and HIB Vaccines are given in one injection. Booster 2 minimum age 4 years. • a - MMR Vaccine - Minimum age for 1st dose: 12 months, the 2nd dose may be administered before age 2 provided at least 4 weeks have elapsed since the first dose. • b - Varicella Vaccine - Minimum age for 1st dose: 12 months, the 2nd dose may be administered before age 3 provided at least 3 months have elapsed since the first dose. • c - HPV Vaccine - Females under 15 years: 2 dose schedule with 6 months interval between doses. Females 15 years and older: 3 dose Schedule: 0; 2 months and 6 months after first dose. Childhood Immunization Schedule – 2023 April 2023 cayman compass 5 WEEKLY, 21-27 APRIL 2023Is a career in medicine in your future? Gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills while learning alongside our world-class physicians. The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) provides an unrivaled internship and educational experience for Caymanian university students studying for a medical or allied health career. SURF runs from 4-28 July 2023 and provides a stipend of CI$1,000. Several intern placements have been awarded already, and spots are filling up. Apply now to meet the Early Admission Deadline of 28th April 2023. Questions? healthcare.explorers@healthcity.ky REBECCA BIRD rbird@compassmedia.ky The United Kingdom’s relationship with the Cayman Islands and its other 13 overseas territories is set to come under the spotlight in a new House of Commons inquiry. The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee will look at whether the current constitutional arrangements are satisfactory and appropriate in the 21st century. In its probe, the committee will look for evidence on how the UK’s parliament and civil service engages with the overseas territories. It will also examine how their interests are represented in UK Parliament and how the rights of British overseas citizens are protected. Governments, parliaments and citizens of the overseas territories, including Cayman, are invited to submit their views online before 4 Sept. this year. In a press release announcing the inquiry on Thursday, 20 April, committee chair William Wragg MP said the UK’s overseas territories are an important part of the UK family. “With ten territories permanently inhabited by British nationals and all 14 represented at the international level by the UK, we cannot deny their unique constitutional position,” he said. “Each territory has its own legislative processes and bespoke relationship with the UK, but with no official representation in UK Parliament, these constitutional arrangements are often misunderstood or overlooked.” Wragg said he recognises that there is no “one size fits all” framework for relations between the UK and the overseas territories. “But by better understanding how existing arrangements operate in practice, we can better assess whether they are satisfactory and appropriate in the 21st century,” he said. While 10 of the UK’s overseas territories are self-governing, the UK is responsible for their defence and foreign relations. The interaction between the overseas territories and the UK’s parliament and government was brought to attention during the passage of the Sanctions and Money Laundering Act 2018. During the passage, the unusual step was taken to extend the act to cover all the UK’s jurisdictions. Submitted evidence Concise written submissions can be sent to https:// committees.parliament.uk/call- for-evidence/3109 The committee will read evidence and use it to assist in the inquiry. It will usually be published online and the committee may use or quote from it in its report. The public and relevant organisations are asked to consider some or all of the following questions: • Are the UK’s current constitutional arrangements as regards the overseas territories satisfactory and appropriate in the 21st Century? • What is the UK Government’s relationship with the overseas territories? • What is the UK Parliament’s relationship with the overseas territories? • How is legislation made in the overseas territories and what role does the UK Government and UK Parliament have in these processes? • Are effective mechanisms in place for the interests of the Overseas Territories to be represented internationally? • Are the rights and interests of British overseas citizens effectively protected by the current constitutional arrangements? The UK Parliament's Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee is preparing to examine the constitutional position of the UK overseas territories and is inviting submissions from governments, parliaments, and citizens of OTs as part of its inquiry. - Photo: File UK to scrutinise relationship with its OTs cayman compass 6 WEEKLY, 21-27 APRIL 2023 news N newsHOUSE LOTS FOR SALE: LOWER VALLEY/BEACH BAY RD: New development with lots 10,000 to 11,000 sqft. Only 7 lots remaining, cleared and ready to build, no fill required. 5% deposit to secure a lot. Landscaped entrance, lots of mature trees and red soil, 2 fenced in parks with green turf and shade trees, land is about 40 ft. above sea level offering safety from flooding. PRICES FROM CI$180K: FEATURES INCLUDE: CONTACT: +1(345) 916-0021 +1(345) 916-8959 +1(345) 928-7372 sales@pedropoint@gmail.com Brad Ebanks is newest police chief superintendent The Police Service Commission has promoted superintendent Brad Ebanks to chief superintendent, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service has announced. Chief superintendent is the third most senior rank in the RCIPS, after deputy commissioner and commissioner. Ebanks, a Caymanian officer who has served in various roles and departments within the police service for 36 years, said he was honoured by the promotion. “Having served the Cayman Islands my entire policing career, across a variety of positions, I am honoured to have achieved this accomplishment, and to progress into this role. A key priority for me is to build on our proficiencies, as we continue to work together across the organisation to advance the RCIPS and ensure that the Cayman Islands remain a safe place to live, work, visit and do business,” he said. Describing Ebanks’ new role as a “critical” one within the RCIPS, Acting Governor Franz Manderson, who is also acting chairman of the Police Service Commission, said, “I am particularly pleased that we were able to promote a highly capable Caymanian from within the ranks of the RCIPS.” The Police Service Commission is an independent body, established in 2021 with the specific responsibilities for senior appointments and promotions – of superintendent rank and higher – within the RCIPS, and the good governance of the police service. Commissioner of Police Derek Byrne congratulated Ebanks on his new appointment and said he thanked the commission “for their oversight of the competition in the interview and selection process”. He added, “Chief Superintendent Ebanks is a local officer who has come through the ranks and served the RCIPS for the past 36 years where he has gained a full appreciation and understanding of the complexities and challenges of the multiple competing service demands faced by the RCIPS as it continues its journey to develop and deliver a modern, progressive, fit for purpose 21st century policing service to the Cayman Islands. “Chief Superintendent Ebanks is a committed professional and a safe pair of hands and is also an integral part of the senior leadership team taking the RCIPS forward. I wish Chief Superintendent Ebanks great success as he takes on this new leadership role.” Caymanian promoted to third highest RCIPS rank “Chief Superintendent Ebanks is a committed professional and a safe pair of hands.” Commissioner of Police Derek Byrne The RCIPS's newest chief superintendent, Brad Ebanks, centre, with Acting Governor Franz Manderson, left, and Commissioner of Police Derek Byrne. - Photo: Supplied cayman compass news N news WEEKLY, 21-27 APRIL 2023 7Current university and high school students (ages 16+) interested in pursuing a career within the healthcare industry are encouraged to apply for the REGISTER ONLINE Are you a team player? Do you strive to work in an enviornment built on strong core values? HSA Summer Student INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME (345) 949-8600 training@hsa.ky www.hsa.ky SPACE IS LIMITED YOUR CAREER IN HEALTHCARE STARTS WITH HSA SCAN CODE for information and elibility April 3-30, 2023 @ hsacaymanislands NORMA CONNOLLY nconnolly@compassmedia.ky With police attending an average of 56 car crashes a week in 2022, the RCIPS admits it is having to re- examine how to enforce road traffic safety in Cayman. Last year, 2,915 motor vehicle collisions were reported, 14 of which were fatal and involved the deaths of 15 people. Throughout the year, 32 others were seriously injured in crashes, many of which involved speeding or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, police said. During 2022, police made just 234 DUI arrests – a drop of 37% compared to 2021. There was also a decrease of 18% in the number of speeding tickets issued, from 3,730 in 2021 to 3,063 last year. Police Commissioner Derek Byrne, speaking at a press briefing on the annual crime and traffic statistics on 14 April, said the reduction in the issuance of speeding tickets and DUI arrests at a time when traffic accidents had increased by 11%, was “forcing us to look at the way we’re conducting our enforcement operations”. He said police were hearing that the standard of driving in Cayman was making people fearful to use the roads. “What we’re seeing is consistent, really bad, erratic driving on our public roadways that is impacting the safety of our road users right across the island,” he said. Byrne said police have been “refocusing our efforts on DUI and, indeed, speed but there is lot more to be done”. This will involve more roadblocks and checks, as well as the eventual introduction of speed cameras, the commissioner said. He added that the solution does not only lie with the police, it is also the responsibility of drivers, as well as other government agencies, with whom the RCIPS will be working on “a whole-of-government joined-up approach to dealing with road safety and the national safety strategy for the Cayman Islands”. He noted that the extra manpower placed on the streets, and at traffic checkpoints, to help combat spates of armed robberies had had an impact on enforcement of traffic offences last year. Byrne said the RCIPS was looking at speed cameras as part of a national road safety strategy, but cautioned, “It’s not a case of just directing cameras in there, and the problem is solved. It’s a huge ICT project. The benefits would be immense, and it’s a work in progress. He added that there is no timeline as yet for the implementation of the speed-camera system. Traffic offence tickets Throughout 2022, police handed out more than 9,400 traffic offence tickets, according to the latest RCIPS statistics. On average, drivers who were issued with speeding tickets were travelling at 17 miles per hour over the speed limit. In seven instances, the recorded speed was greater than 80 mph. Police say the reduction in the drink-drive blood/alcohol limit from 0.10% to 0.07%, as well as road safety campaigns, may have had “a positive impact on reducing prevalence within the community”, as well as additional resources deployed to the eastern districts. According to the RCIPS 2022 statistics, approximately 60% of all DUI offences involved drivers who were at least double the 0.07% drink- drive limit. In 22% of cases, drivers were three times over the limit. And in 44% of DUI cases, there was a collision involved. Byrne said the 14 fatal accidents in Cayman last year was “a red flag issue for all of us here, for the community, for the police, for... road users in the Cayman Islands”. He added, “The significant underlying factors in these fatal traffic accidents, as we see through our analysis, is speed and driving under the influence.” He said many of the incidents are single-vehicle collisions in the early hours of the morning, which, he added, raised “real concern for the manner of driving across the island”. 56 crashes a week prompt police rethink cayman compass 8 WEEKLY, 21-27 APRIL 2023cayman compass 9 WEEKLY, 21-27 APRIL 2023Next >