Governor Jane Owen and Premier André Ebanks issued a joint statement late Monday afternoon, 15 Dec., reassuring the public “that the recent incidents of crime within our communities are being taken very seriously”.
“Given the importance of this matter,” Ebanks said, “I called a meeting this morning inviting Police Commissioner Kurt Walton to brief both the Government and the Leader of the Opposition on the current situation and the steps being taken to address it.”
The joint statement comes after a string of daytime robberies, the victims of which included two tourists on Seven Mile Beach in the space of four hours on 3 Dec. Two days later, a masked man armed with a machete robbed a convenience store in West Bay. Then in two different incidents on 13 Dec. and 14 Dec., armed masked men robbed different places of business in central George Town.
“Our Islands are built on law and order, manners and values,” said Ebanks in the joint statement. “Acts of criminal behaviour, particularly those that threaten the safety of our residents, visitors and businesses are not reflective of our society and will not be tolerated.”
Governor Owen said she works closely with the police commissioner and his teams at the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service to prioritise preventative and investigative work to reduce crime.
“I strongly believe that by working together, being vigilant and utilising our skills in areas such as forensics and detection, we can reduce the sort of crimes we have seen in recent days and weeks and keep our Islands safe for residents and visitors alike,” she said. “That is why we are prioritising the resources we put into patrols over the Christmas period around all of our Islands and commercial premises.”
On 13 Dec., Police Commissioner Kurt Walton also issued a statement stating that he was aware of the “concern that recent robbery incidents have caused within the community”.
“I want to assure you that the RCIPS takes these matters very seriously,” he said. “I have authorized the deployment of additional officers as part of an operation to locate and apprehend those responsible, while deterring further criminal activity. The public can expect to see increased police activity over the coming days, in addition to our ongoing holiday safety efforts as part of Operation Winter Guardian.”
The Compass has become aware that on Saturday 13 Dec., police visited the offices of a prominent shopping area to advise that retailers and other merchants should practice heightened security and vigilance during the holiday shopping season.
In the joint statement, Ebanks said Cayman needed the “cooperation of everyone to keep our Islands safe”.
“Firstly, we urge the community to remain vigilant,” he said. “Secondly, we encourage the public to support the police by reporting crimes promptly. Every moment counts – do not delay in reporting suspicious activities to 911 or the nearest police station.”
Ebanks also touched on the fact that the robbers often wear masks, which was the subject of a Private Member’s Motion filed in Parliament by Deputy Leader of the Opposition Kenneth Bryan on Monday seeking to restrict the wearing of masks in public.
Although Ebanks did not address the Private Member’s Motion, he did say: “We also want to remind you that the police discourage the wearing of non-medical masks, intended to conceal one’s identity, in public places.”
Ebanks said the government is committed to working with the private sector and other non-governmental organisations “to ensure our Islands remain a safe place to live and work, because when crime occurs, it is not just a matter for the police alone; it concerns every one of us”.