Archive for October 4th, 2009
Cops say security firms must comply with law
(CNS): The RCIPS said this week that it would being stepping up its enforcement of the newly implemented Private Security Services Law, 2007 (Law 14 of 2007 and the Security Services Regulations, 2008) which came into force on 1 September 2008. Security Licensing Department Head, CI George Watson, states that as of 19 October all the security business owners in the Cayman Islands who have been supplying security business will need to be in compliance with the law by licensing their companies, Security Guards & Security Technicians.
Watson also said there are some businesses that employ individuals as “Loss Prevention Officers” but based on their job description, they fall under the definition of a Security Guard. The law defines a Security Guard as a person who, in the course of his employment, guards or patrols for the purpose of protecting person or property; but does not include- (a) a constable or special constable acting in the performance of his duties as such; or (b) a public officer performing his functions under any Law.
Watson said firms had been given ample time to get to know the law and what they need to do to comply and what will happen if they don’t. He added that all security business licensees should ensure that their guards & technicians carry their licence whilst on duty, so that they will not be in breach of the law when required to produce such licence by a constable or other person, having reasonable grounds to require its production.
Additionally, businesses other than security companies; who employ security providers by sub-contracting their business & employees, such businesses should require sight of licences from the sub-contractors or their employees. The RCIPS encourages full compliance of the law and companies that have been delinquent are encouraged to do so forthwith by submitting outstanding documentations.
Since 5 January this year and as of 21 September 2009, the RCIPS Security Licensing Department has licensed the following:- 27 Companies, 24 Security Technicians & 439 Security Guards.
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.
NDC joins cancer fight
(CNS): The National Drug Council said it is joining forces with Cancer Society and the Lions Club of Tropical Gardens to mark the 25th year in which those organizations have campaigned throughout October to raise awareness, educate and empower women regarding breast cancer. With a theme of “Build Hope and Survival Through Early Detection”, the NDC is encouraging everyone in the Cayman Islands to attend one of the sessions and clinics organized by the Lions Club and to quit smoking a known contributor to the disease.
The NDC said that, following the passage of the Tobacco Legislation, the Cayman Islands could unite with many countries showing their stance against tobacco use in public places like restaurants and bars.
However, the law has not yet been implemented but is expected to come into force before the end of this year. Last week CNS contacted Health Minister Mark Scotland to find out exactly when his ministry will be rolling out the necessary regulations but is still waiting for a response.
Reducing the use of tobacco in public places can have significant impact including cutting down on the damaging effects of second hand smoke on those who opt not to partake in this global addiction. In addition, the National Drug Council has circulated a set of PSA radio spots entitled "Health Minutes", which focused on tobacco, a known contributor to cancer around the world. These spots will be played on local airways for the entire month of October.
For a detailed list of activities for the month of October, please visit them on www.lctgbreastcancerawareness.com or for more information on tobacco, you can contact the NDC on 949-9000 or visit the NDC at www.ndc.ky
Maples in the land of maples
(CNS): Local financial firm Maples Finance will be focusing onshore this Monday when it opens its first office on the North American content The firm said its new location in Montreal, Canada represents another major step in the development of the Cayman based company in a worldwide network of offices in significant financial centres. Over just the past three years it has set up offices in Dublin, Dubai, Hong Kong and Luxembourg. It said the Montreal office will provide a full range of fund administration services to onshore and offshore funds, managed by global investment management firms and financial institutions.
Cash on offer for eco-work
Of globally threatened species identified in the 2004 IUCN Red List, 74 critically endangered species occur in the UK Overseas Territories (compared to 10 in mainland UK) along with 49 endangered species (12 in mainland UK) and 117 vulnerable species (37 in the mainland UK). Many of these species are endemic and so are found nowhere else in the world, such as Cayman’s blue iguana.
New high point for Cayman
(CNS): Not know for its sky scrapers and tall towers, there are not many places where people get the chance to get a bird’s eye view of Cayman but with the opening of Camana Bay’s Observation Tower there is a place where residents and visitors alike can take a peek day or nigh free of charge. Located in the new town centre the Tower is 75 feet tall and offers a 360 degree view across Seven Mile Beach, George Town and the North Sound. According to a release from Camana Bay the Observation Tower was designed as a destination in its own right with its louvered windows modelled after those of traditional great houses, and its array of pastel colours reminiscent of old Caymanian houses.
“Its one-of-a-kind vantage point ensures that even as Camana Bay flourishes around it, it will continue to provide visitors with incomparable views and time to enjoy a truly unique piece of art,” the release sated. “Just as impressive as the tower’s outlook is the journey to the top via a double helix staircase –two spirals that interweave but never touch. The staircase climbs alongside a floor to ceiling mosaic depicting Cayman’s beautiful reefs and marine life, giving the sense of ascending a deep sea dive from sea bed to surface.”
The mosaic in The Observation Tower is one of three landmark mosaics the other two are expected to be revealed in mid-October, designed to add visual beauty to spaces which are utilitarian in purpose. The sea wall mosaic was created to engage and entertain Camana Bay guests and to allow each visitor to experience the undersea life for which the Cayman Islands are famous. The sea life photography, which this mosaic is based on, was taken in water surrounding the Sister Islands.
The “sea wall” concept was designed by The Design Theorem to mimic the experience of scuba diving – the first level of the Observation Tower represents the sea bed, with the top of the tower a view of the sun as it peers through the water’s crest. Venetian glass tiles, made in Vicenza, Italy by Bisazza were imported and used to construct the mosaic designs. The Observation Tower design used the historic art of hand-cutting to create the minute details and characteristics of the coral life represented using the mosaic tiles. All of the precision hand-cutting was performed in Miami, Florida by Mosaico Boutique.
The Observation Tower may be the largest undersea mosaic installation of its kind in the world and Camana Bay said research is currently underway to determine if this is the case.