Archive for November 11th, 2008

Ministry aims to get Brac kids back in school

Ministry aims to get Brac kids back in school

| 11/11/2008 | 0 Comments

(CNS): Cayman Brac students won’t be getting under their parents feet for much longer as Cayman Brac High School, should be able to re-open early next week, subject to approval by the relevant authorities. The Ministry of Education and the Department of Education Services completed a thorough assessment of Cayman Brac High School, and senior officials from the Ministry of Education and the Department of Education Services reported that despite some damage, the School should be operational.

According to Chief Education Officer Shirley Wahler who was part of the assessment team, water had gotten in to many of the classrooms during the hurricane but the server room, library and assembly hall remained dry. Despite significant damage, many of the teaching areas are salvageable and efforts are underway to effect necessary repairs so that they can be fully utilised.  

“Whilst it is in the best interest of the students to resume classes as quickly as possible, their safety, and the safety of our teachers is our first priority,” she said. “We have been working very closely with the Ministry’s facilities unit to quantify the damage and we are doing everything we can to complete the necessary repairs as speedily as possible. Cayman Brac Power and Light has advised that electrical power is expected to be restored as soon as final electrical inspections can be completed, and specialized cleaning crews are being mobilized to clean and sanitise the building and remove any remaining debris. Once these tasks have been accomplished, a final assessment of the entire site will be conducted and it is our expectation that school will re-open shortly thereafter.”  

Whaler said that the remaining assessments of the education facilities was nearing completion and the Ministry is hopeful that provision for primary age children will follow shortly after the opening of the High school.  

“Despite the significant challenges that all of the residents in the Brac are facing the teaching fraternity is working together and has joined in the effort to get schools operating as quickly as possible. We will continue to make frequent announcements as further information becomes available” she said “so that parents, guardians and teachers can be kept fully informed,” she added.

 

Meanwhile Cayman Brac students of the University College of the Cayman islands who are enrolled in the Associate Degree programmes are invited Brac students to take classes at the
Main Campus if they can arrange their own accommodation in Grand Cayman. Students so wishing may contact Student Services Department at 526-5041 to help with arrangements or any other concerns that they may have.

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Post Paloma information updates

Post Paloma information updates

| 11/11/2008 | 2 Comments

(CNS:) Wednesday 6pm As work continues on Cayman Brac the command centre is appealing for more donations and emergency supplies including shovels, buckets, brooms bleach, bath pans, water, batteries, nails, laterns, and insect repellant among other things. To make a donation call 244-3147 or go to the Red Cross office in George Town. People in need of assistance on the Brac are being asked to call 925 6261 or 925 6262

Post: The Cayman Islands Postal Service has suspended mail service to the Sister Islands for the remainder of the week. Postmaster General Sheena Glasgow explained that this decision is based on a number of factors: All available air and sea cargo space is currently being used for the transportation of emergency relief cargo. The majority of post offices have been damaged in some way.  In addition, all infrastructure services have not yet been restored. At a minimum, secured buildings are required before re-opening post offices. Postal staff on the Sister Islands need some time to address their personal living situations that are connected to damage from Paloma’s passing. The situation will be reassessed for next week and CIPS will release further updates as needed.

Port:  Port Authority Director, Paul Hurlston, says that effective immediately there will be no Port fees applied to goods imported to Cayman Brac for a period of one month. “We want to remove any potential barrier for recovery. We know people will start rebuilding and will need access to materials as quickly as possible to recover from the destructive forces of Hurricane Paloma,” he said. “The respite of Port fees for one month is to meet immediate demands; we will revisit this issue as necessary.” 

Minister for Commerce, who also has ministerial responsibility for the Port Authority, Charles Clifford said it was one more step in the right direction to ensure the recovery of the Sister Islands is swift and effectively meets the needs of our people. “I commend the Port Authority for stepping up to the plate and encourage those private sector companies that are in control of fees and charges on the residents of our Sister Islands to follow suit as a way of aiding their recovery from Hurricane Paloma.” 

Meantime, the Port Director also announced that the Creek Dock will be operational shortly. Although the exterior of the warehouse had been damaged by the hurricane, the frame remains intact and repairs are scheduled.  The Port Authority will also be reallocating staff resources from Grand Cayman each day starting Wednesday, 12 November to aid in the clean up and restoration of the Creek Dock as well as to assist with the discharge of vessels.  

Power: With Cayman Brac Power and Light working round the clock to restore power Faith hospital and the Distrcit Administration building both now have power.

Relief:  An initial shipment of eight trailer homes is expected to arrive today (Wednesday, 12 November). The trailers are two- and three-bedroom units. If you would like to apply for a trailer, please call the Brac Command Centre on 925-6261, in order to begin the needs assessment process. Fifteen persons trained in building assessments will arrive in the Brac today to assist the Planning Department. It also is expected that an assessment team will be sent to Little Cayman today.

Volunteers: Civil servants who have family members in Cayman Brac, and who wish to volunteer  will be assigned to work at the Cayman Brac Command Centre for at least a week. And though work hours are unlikely to be normal, volunteers will be paid for a regular work week. Additionally, a part of each day will be left free, so volunteers may assist family and friends. Volunteers need to check they can be accommodated by relatives or friends;have enough money to cover personal expenses for the week; and clear participation with appointing officer. Once approved, contact  Sherelle Clarke on 244-2345 with your details and skills. Civil servants wishing to assist non-governmental organisations with relief and recovery activities may also volunteer. However, they may only do so by using annual leave or comp time. Chief officers, heads of department and other appointing officers are asked to be as flexible as possible with requests made by employees to assist Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

CAL: CAyyman Airways has put on additional jet service between Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac for the period beginning Tuesday,11  November through Monday, 17 November. This is in addition to the twin otter service which will continue as scheduled. Cayman Airways would like to remind all that the priority remains the transportation ofessential personnel and relief supplies. At this stage reservations are not being accepted for visitors. Cayman Airways will continue to assess the situation and add additional service as necessary and as its operations allow as it continues to play its part in the recovery efforts with the Sister Islands. CAL is continuing to evacuate persons from the Brac to Grand Cayman free of cost until further notice.Anyone wishing to visitng family or property on the Brac will have to plan day trips only. Confirmed reservations are only being sold on a day-trip basis. As of Thursday, Cayman Airways will revert to its regular fare of CI$132.66 roundtrip, inclusive of taxes, to the Sister Islands.

Tuesday 11 November: KX2403 departing GCM 1:40pm arriving CYB 7:10pm, KX2404 departing CYB 2:40pm arriving GCM 8:10pm.

Wednesday 12 November: KX2401 departing GCM 5:40am arriving CYB 6:10am, KX2402 departing CYB 6:40am arriving GCM 7:10pm, KX2403 departing GCM 6:40pm arriving CYB 7:10pm, KX2404 departing CYB 7:40pm arriving GCM 8:10pm.

Thursday 13 November: KX2401 departing GCM 5:40am arriving CYB 6:10pm, KX2402 departing CYB 6:40am arriving GCM 7:10pm, KX2406 departing CYB 1015pm arriving GCM 10:45pm.

Friday 14 November: KX2401 departing GCM 5:40am arriving CYB 6:10am, KX2406 departing CYB 7:40pm arriving GCM 8:10pm.

Saturday 15 November: KX2401 departing GCM 5:40am arriving CYB 6:10am, KX2406 departing CYB 7:40pm arriving GCM 8:10pm.

 Sunday 16 November: KX2401 departing GCM 5:40am arriving CYB 6:10am, KX2406 departing CYB 7:40pm arriving GCM 8:10pm. 

Monday 17 November: KX2401 departing GCM 5:40am arriving CYB 0610am, KX2403 departing GCM 1840pm arriving CYB 7:10pm, KX2404 departing CYB 7:40pm arriving GCM 8:10pm. 
Please contact the reservations department at 949 2311 or attend to the City Ticket Office.

Water: The Water Authority said it would like to reassure residents of Cayman Brac of the quality of water being distributed from the reservoirs. “In spite of the significant amount of damage in the Brac, our pipelines have not been damaged and we have been able to maintain an excellent standard of water being held in our reservoirs which is safe and potable for all to use,” it said. The Authority can only ascertain the safety of water up to the customer’s meter or up until it is loaded into the cistern/ holding tank. It is important that all persons using water from cisterns, wells and holding tanks ensure that all water is properly treated prior to consumption. It  recommends that all water be boiled before drinking and or treated with 3 drops of household bleach per gallon or 3 ounces of household bleach per 1,000 gallons to ensure continued safety. As the process of rebuilding continues in the Sister Islands, the Water Authority will continue to issue reminders and health advisories as required.

Communications: Westel/star: Early assessments of the Sister Islands’ operations showed vital equipment to be badly damaged, said the local cable firm. “Right now, management is sourcing replacement equipment and a team will be heading to Cayman Brac this week to try and get operations up and running as quickly as possible and provide support to Chris Randall, the head of operations for Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.” WestStar TV Operations Manager, Traci Bradley said right now our first concern is for the people of the Sister Islands and our thoughts and prayers are withthem.” WestStar has lost major equipment and is sending engineers technicians, and equipment from Grand Cayman to try and move things along quickly.

Cable & Wireless have dispatched a team to begin restoring communication lines on the Sister Islands. Tony Ritch, LIME (As C&W is nowknown) Country Manager for the Cayman Islands said the team will lend their support to those already there and who were on the ground. Ritch said mobile phone service is available on both islands and while the firm is aiming for the restorations of coverage in the shortest possible time fixed line services will be established following the re-planting of utility poles. Priority will be placed on emergency services, utilities and other Government services. Mobile phones can be charged at any one of our LIME exchanges, and hot spots are being set up at each of these locations so customers will be able to access the Internet. The public is being reminded not to touch or cut downed telephone cables but to report these and other faults to LIME 24 hour Customer Care Centre at 611.

Radio Cayman and Rooster radio stations are now both broadcasting on the Sister Islands.

MRCU: An aircraft from the Mosquito Research and Control Unit (MRCU) will be conducting two mosquito prevention operations in Cayman Brac tomorrow (Wednesday, 12 November). Director of the MRCU Dr Bill Petrie said the aircraft will be dropping pellets in areas affected by flooding in an effort to hinder the breeding of mosquitoes in the aftermath of Paloma. The first operation, to be carried out between 7:00 and 9:00a.m., will specifically target the south coast– the block from the end of the runway at the Gerrard Smith International Airport to the landfill. The second will be carried out in the evening on the north coast from the end of the runway to the Western Auto Gas Station. Dr. Petrie is urging residents not to be alarmed at the presence of the red and white aircraft with a very loud engine which will be flying very low. He also advised that the pellets, which are black in appearance and made of charcoal, are not harmful to humans, animals or fish.

RCIPS:  Police operations in Cayman Brac have moved from the police station to the UCCI building in Stake Bay (opposite the District Administration Building). This temporary police station is open to the public 24 hours a day. People can call 916-6553 for police assistance. This cell phone will be manned 24 hours a day. In an emergency dial 911. In Little Cayman, anyone requiring police assistance should call 925-4428 or 925-4431. In an emergency dial 911. There will be no curfew in place this evening (Tuesday), however residents are reminded to exercise caution at all times. The need for a curfew will be assessed on a daily basis. Cayman Brac officers are being supported and assisted by additional personnel from Grand Cayman. Little Cayman officers will be given some relief in the coming days.  Proactive and robust policing will continue on both islands. Cayman Defender and Protector continue to make journeys to and from the Sister Islands assisting with operational support and supplies for the police officers.

 

 

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Financial help soon come

Financial help soon come

| 11/11/2008 | 2 Comments

(CNS): As emergency relief continued to flow into Cayman Brac the critical issue of finance also began to be addressed following the announcement by the Cayman Islands Development Bank (CIDB) of the Hurricane Relief Programme (HRP). The bank is, among other things, offering a $50,000 secured credit line for all small businesses and $25,000 secured credit line for farmers in the Sister Islands as well as a moratorium on interest and principal repayments for all existing customers’ loans.

The HRP will provide immediate financial relief to affected residents and business owners on the Sister Islands. Effective immediately there is a moratorium on interest and principal repayments for all existing customers’ loans on the Sister Islands for a period of 6 months.  Secondly, there is a 2% interest rate reduction on all new loans granted to customers in the Sister Islands.  Thirdly, relief is available in the form of $50,000 secured operating credit line for small businesses and $25,000 secured credit line for farmers in the Sister Islands. The CIDB will have a dedicated HRP coordinator in place on Cayman Brac shortly.  Any small business owner can apply for this line of credit or overdraft facility and they do not have to be existing customers of the bank.

A key element in the recovery process is the speed at which relief is delivered to affected areas. “Relief, in all its forms, including financing, is necessary in the immediate aftermath of a disaster,” said Ralph Lewis, CIDB General Manager. “A great challenge facing consumers is the availability of disposable income during these disastrous times when the need to purchase supplies is a priority.  We have established a customer base in the Sister Islands and remain committed to providing financial assistance especially in this crisis.

Vanessa Godfrey-Banks, CIDB’s Chairperson explained that part of the CIDB mission is to assist in the development of the Cayman Islands’ economy. Providing assistance to the Sister Islands in this time of dire need speaks directly to our reason for being. It is therefore essential for CIDB to lead this important initiative during this critical time in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman,she added.

For more information on this programme and to make an appointment to meet withRalph Lewis and other CIDB representatives in Cayman Brac on Thursday, 13 November, please contact the Disaster Coordinator, Rhonda Conolly at 814 6262 or Mr. Lewis at 814-6269.

The Minister of Commerce Charles Clifford, who toured Cayman Brac early Sunday afternoon compared the devastation to that suffered by Grand Cayman in the wake of Hurricane Ivan in September 2004. “Given our prior experience we fully appreciate what it takes to recover from such heavy losses.  We will make every tangible source of support available to the people of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman to aid in their recovery. While the CIDB is doing all it can, we fully expect that commercial banks will consider similar action to aid in the recovery of our Sister Islands.” 

The Cayman Islands National Recovery Fund also said it is planning assistance to those on the Sister Islands who were adversely affected. The Chair of the Trustees, H.E. the Governor, Stuart Jack was also on hand to witness the devastation first hand over the weekend with the Leader of Government Business Kurt Tibbetts .  Dr. Mark Laskin. Executive Director of the Cayman Islands National Recovery Fund said that while government will do everything in its power to assist the Sister Islands, there is also a complementary, supporting role for the private and voluntary sector. “The Fund will be co-ordinating very closely with the Cayman Islands Government to ensure that specific housing needs are coordinated and met.  The number one priority of the Fund will be to get residents back into dry homes (roofs and windows) before the focus can turn to rebuilds.

 Laskin said the Fund will concentrate on the elderly, the infirm and those families with young children. “Aid will be givenfirst to those who are uninsured or are from low income families.  The Fund does not make direct grants to householders, but rather directly funds qualified contractors based on estimates,” Laskin added.

Relief accounts have been established with Butterfield Bank (CI$ Account number: 02201/036345/00 or US$ Account number: 01201/036345/01) and Cayman National Bank (CI$ Account number: 011-11578 or US$ Account number: 021-06309).  The Fund is asking that persons on Grand Cayman donate directly into these accounts. Any monetary donation would be greatly appreciated.  For further information please contact mlaskin1@aol.com

Further financial assistance could also come from a regional iinsurnce policy which the Financial Secretary’s office is now looking into. Having signed up to the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility, a collective policy designed to help regional nations cope with the aftermath of major catastrophes early last year, the Cayman Islands Government should be able to draw on that policy to help finance rebuilding projects across the Brac. If Cayman can make a claim and for how much is calculated through the details of the storm and its impact on the island. The CCRIF claim is triggered by a category 2 storm and above and Cayman could received payment within 14 days of a successful claim.

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Bridger quiet on LoGB request to go home

Bridger quiet on LoGB request to go home

| 11/11/2008 | 5 Comments

(CNS): So far there has been no comment from either the Governor Stuart Jack or from SIO Martin Bridger regarding Kurt Tibbetts’ announcement last Thursday, before the arrival of Hurricane Paloma, requesting that Bridger pack up his investigation and leave the Cayman Islands. However CNS was able to confirm that John Yates, Assistant Commissioner from the Metropolitan Police Service in London is coming to the Cayman Islands and is due to arrive on Wednesday for a meeting with the Special Police investigation Team, (SPIT).

 

Although a spokesperson for SPIT said that the visit is a routine scheduled meeting and was not triggered by the comments made by the Leader of Government Business, Kurt Tibbetts last Thursday at the post cabinet media briefing where he described the investigation as a disgraceful and terribly damaging episode in Cayman’s history, the comments are bound to impact Yates’ visit.

Tibbetts said on Thursday that the elected government had made the strongest possible representation to the Governor to shut down the investigation which had been revealed by the recent Judicial Review of the warrants issued to search the home of Justice Alex Henderson, to have had a total disregard for the rule of law and the Cayman Islands constitution.  He said that after nine months of investigating Bridger had yet to produce concrete evidence to justify the suspension of the top leadership of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service.

Since then neither, the Governor or Bridger who is leading the investigation dubbed Operation Tempura, have made any public comment regarding the elected government’s dissatisfaction with the current situation. Reports suggest that Bridger has told Cayman Net News that his investigation is not over. However he is yet to answer any questions submitted by Cayman News Service regarding the comments by Government or the reaction to the results of the Judicial Review and the recent action by David George to release Justice Alex Henderson from arrest and his bail conditions.

CNS has learned that as of yesterday SPIT had still not returned the copies of information they took from Justice Henderson’s computer which Sir Peter Cresswell had ordered to be returned to him by 4pm Friday 7 November, nor had the legal team received any requests for an extension because of the hurricane which means in theory SPIT could be in contempt of court.

(CNS): So far there has been no comment from either the Governor Stuart Jack or from SIO Martin Bridger regarding Kurt Tibbetts’ announcement last Thursday, before the arrival of Hurricane Paloma, requesting that Bridger pack up his investigation and leave the Cayman Islands. However CNS was able to confirm that John Yates, Assistant Commissioner from the Metropolitan Police Service in London is coming to the Cayman Islands and is due to arrive on Wednesday for a meeting with the Special Police investigation Team, (SPIT).

Although a spokesperson for SPIT said that the visit is a routine scheduled meeting and was not triggered by the comments made by the Leader of Government Business, Kurt Tibbetts last Thursday at the post cabinet media briefing where he described the investigation as a disgraceful and terribly damaging episode in Cayman’s history, the comments are bound to impact Yates’ visit.

Tibbetts said on Thursday that the elected government had madethe strongest possible representation to the Governor to shut down the investigation which had been revealed by the recent Judicial Review of the warrants issued to search the home of Justice Alex Henderson, to have had a total disregard for the rule of law and the Cayman Islands constitution.  He said that after nine months of investigating Bridger had yet to produce concrete evidence to justify the suspension of the top leadership of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service.

Since then neither, the Governor or Bridger who is leading the investigation dubbed Operation Tempura, have made any public comment regarding the elected government’s dissatisfaction with the current situation. Reports suggest that Bridger has told Cayman Net News that his investigation is not over. However he is yet to answer any questions submitted by Cayman News Service regarding the comments by Government or the reaction to the results of the Judicial Review and the recent action by David George to release Justice Alex Henderson from arrest and his bail conditions.

CNS has learned that as of yesterday SPIT had still not returned the copies of information they took from Justice Henderson’s computer which Sir Peter Cresswell had ordered to be returned to him by 4pm Friday 7 November, nor had the legal team received any requests for an extension because of the hurricane which means in theory SPIT could be in contempt of court.

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Navy ship lends a hand

Navy ship lends a hand

| 11/11/2008 | 0 Comments

(CNS): Crew from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel Wave Ruler, which has come to the assistance of Cayman Brac following Hurricane Paloma, have been assisting in getting the Gerrard-Smith International Airport back into full operation so that help can get to the island quicker. The ship had also brought essential supplies, which had been taken up to the Aston Rutty Civic Centre for distribution.

The four crewmen  – First Officer Engineer Paul Davis, Petty Officer John Swift, First Officer Systems Engineer John Evans, and Cadet Luke Gibson, a trainee engineer – worked at the airport Monday fixing the fuel farm so that jets could refuel on the Brac.

Davis told CNS that on Sunday, crew members had helped repair the Civil Aviation radio communication tower and had made the electrical systems in the airport terminal safe. On Sunday, with the help of Reef Divers vessels, the crew had brought to shore at the south side dock 400 tarpaulin, 2,500 litres of water and basic rations of food. More had arrived Monday, said Davis.

The main aim of the crew was to help with immediate first aid to the electrical and water systems and essential services such as the airport, hospital and government buildings to help the island to recover quicker.

The ship recieves orders directly from the Foriegn Office and  the Cayman Islands Governor, H.E. Stuart Jack, spoke regularly to the ship’s captain Nigel Budd, said Davis.

RFA Wave Ruler came to the Cayman Islands with the Royal Navy warship, HMS Iron Duke to assist in the wake of Hurricane Gustav in September.

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Help on its way for the Brac

Help on its way for the Brac

| 11/11/2008 | 2 Comments

(CNS): H.E. the Governor Stuart Jack got a taste of life on Cayman Brac post Hurricane Paloma when he spent Sunday night at the Aston Rutty Civic Centre, where about 70 people whose homes are destroyed or damaged are still sheltering. However, the Leader of Government Business told CNS that government would pour all possible resources into helping the Brac recover and that the private sector would help.

The most critical issue right now is to get people back into thier homes, he said. The team from the Planning Department is dealing with the physical issues regarding damaged houses, and he said the insurance adjustors would be arriving on the island Tuesday afternoon. The National Recovery Fund would be instrumental, but it was important to make sure that all efforts were coordinated.

"We are going to do this because we can," he said. Tibbetts noted that the Command Centre that had been set up at the airport would be dealing with the distribution of supplies and aid arriving on the island and said that if anyone knew of a person on the Brac who needed emergency supplies, they should phone 948-1222.

With two distribution points set up – one at the Aston Rutty Centre and one at Tibbetts Warehouse by the airport – the LoGB also said he was sure that people would only take those supplies that they needed. "By and large, this is a caring community," he said.

Four trailer homes were on their way to the Brac and Tibbetts said he was hoping to get at least 6 more to house government emergency personel. These would be set up at the Civic Centre compound with appropriate water, electricity and sewage facilities.

The Governor, who had travelled to Little Cayman on the Mosquito Unit aircraft, said that there was some damage on that island and some flooding – he had watched tarpon swim from one end of the road to the other, he said. The most immediate problem was a gas shortage, though  that was being taken care of, and the long term issue was the large number of downed power poles.

However, he said the people he had spoken to – District Officer Larry Foster, the police oficers and the island’s nurse – appeared to be all right, though everyone was obviously feeling the effects of the second major storm this season.

The Aston Rutty Centre, where he spentthe night, was "a brillient building that worked really well", and he noted the medical wing, where Faith Hospital patients are evacuated during a storm. He also commented on the hard work of the shelter wardens who, he said, "were doing an incredible job."

Among the added personel who have arrived to help the Brac are 10 Red Cross volunteers, including one zone officer from Panama, who was in the Cayman Islands on vacation, and a member of the Regional Intervention team from Jamaica.

One member, John Bogle, was pre-positioned before the storm to help with the distribution of supplies immediately after the storm. The visiting Red Cross members are working alongside members of the local Chapter of the Red Cross, as well as ADRA (Adventist Disaster Recovery Agency) and local church groups.

The action team would be making sure that supplies reach the most vulnerable, said Hermant Balgobin, the Red Cross Disaster Manager for the Cayman Islands. He said they had brought with them 1200 tarpaulin, 140 family hygene kits and 54 baby hygene kits and other useful items such as rope, he said.

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Good Samaritans targeted by thieves

Good Samaritans targeted by thieves

| 11/11/2008 | 2 Comments

(CNS): Red Cross volunteers who left their vehicles at the Red Cross headquarters to head to the Brac to help with relief efforts have discovered that every one was broken into sometime between Sunday and Monday (9-10 November). The 10 volunteers, who underwent an 11-hour journey to the Brac in stormy seas on the Cayman Agressor, had already worked hard helping people prepare for the storm on Grand Cayman.

Hemant Balgobin, the Red Cross Disaster Manager for the Cayman Islands, said that the members who travelled to the Brac had helped residents on Grand Cayman board up their houses and haul sandbags as Hurricane Paloma appraoched, had most of them also acted as shelter wardens during the storm. Even after all that, they had offered to give up more of their time and effort in the aftermath to assist people on the Brac.

According to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, which has begun an investigation into the incident, the cars had been parked in the car park of the Red Cross building opposite the Cricket Oval by volunteers before they left for Cayman Brac on Sunday afternoon. Police received a call from a Red Cross staff member at around 12pm Monday reporting that a number of vehicles had been damaged. Police responded and found that windows of five vehicles had been smashed. Scenes of Crime officers attended and processed the scene. Due to the owners being off-island, it is not known atthis time what, if anything, was taken from the cars.

“It is particularly sad that this has happened to people who have gone out of their way to volunteer and assist others,” said Sergeant Durk Banks of George Town police station, adding that everyone should make sure their vehicles, homes and possessions are secure at all times. “It is unfortunate that there are people who will take advantage of situations like this and we have to do all we can to make things as hard as possible for them,” he said.

The RCIPS advises residents never to leave valuables in their cars, ensure they are locked at all times and park in the most secure place possible.

Anyone with information about crime taking place in the Cayman Islands should contact their local police station or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS). All persons calling crime stoppers remain anonymous, and are eligible for a reward of up to $1000, should their information lead to an arrest or recovery of property/drugs.

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