Bostock calls for agency collaboration to fight crime

| 12/02/2010

Cayman Islands news, Grand Cayman local news, Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce, Cayman crime(CNS): President of the Cayman Islands’ Chamber of Commerce has called for greater inter-agency cooperation and communication between the police, immigration and customs to fight the islands’ increasing crime problems. Stuart Bostock said government needs to bring back the special task force and get to grips with the crime problem before the country reaches the stage of bars on shop windows and security guards on every door.  He also hit out at Chamber members who have criticized him for speaking out against crime.

Speaking at the Chamber’s recent crime prevention session, Bostock addressed comments by a few chamber members who, he said, had criticized him for taking on the issue of crime saying that it is not a matter for the Chamber, it is a matter for the police. “Well, I completely disagree,” the president stated. He said that staff and customers are the lifeline of the economy and they are questioning their safety at work and doing business on the premises of Chamber members.

“Of equal importance to our economy are the owners and shareholders of businesses who should not lose assets and profits to criminal damage, theft, burglary, and robbery. Crime is just one of the issues I will tackle in my year as Chamber President and the reason I personally view it as a priority is simple: without a safe and profitable jurisdiction to do business and raise our families, what are our options?”

He lamented the current situation and asked, “Are we going to accept bars on the windows and locks on the doors so customers have to be buzzed in? Are armed security guards in our banks, stores and offices a suitable future for the Cayman Islands?”

Bostock also noted the key concern of many people in the community. “We need to tackle the gun supply into our country and we need to tackle it hard,” he said, and demanded training for those involved in border patrol.

Bostock also noted the need to invest in advanced detection equipment and training for the border agencies and in advanced investigative equipment and techniques for the RCIPS.  He called for tougher penalties for violent crime but alternatives to incarceration for non-violent and first time offenders. “We need trained, equipped and respected street response teams working to target criminal activity and responding to incidents with a professional presence and a strong show of force,” Bostock said, adding that community support officers and education campaigns in schools were equally important.

Police Commissioner David Baines, who is coming under increasing pressure to address the rise in crime, was also present at the session as the key note speaker. Baines voiced his consistent concerns over the community’s reluctance to come forward and give evidence and said he only had a limited number of officers.

Eric Bush, Deputy Chief Officer of Internal & External Affairs, announced that government had given the go ahead to begin a National CCTV project. “The purpose of which is to assist in the reduction, prevention and detection of crime; reduce the fear of crime; promote community safety; encourage the use of public and commercial facilities; provide high quality evidence, to be used by Law Enforcement to prosecute offenders; stimulate continuing economic growth within the community; monitor road traffic circulation and improve road safety; and to protect property,” he said.

With a focus on the need for the implementation of CCTV across the island, local security firms, Island Electronics, National Security, Electra-tech Services, Aviation Communications and The Security Centre, were all present to demonstrate their crime prevention equipment.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Finally, a chambr president with Cahoneys

  2. Bobby Anonymous says:

    Border Patrol

    Who exactly is "Law Enforcement" Do you know that there is a section called Marine Enforcement (DOE).

    I know these guys are out there approaching all types of guys, day and night and patrol the coast at all times and every one they approach is armed with a weapon of some discription (Fillet knife, machette, speargun etc etc etc) that could fataly wound you in a heartbeat.

     I would have thought that this section would be prime candidates to train for Border Protection.

    We have the staff, let’s use them. RCIP,Customs, Immigration and DOE.

    They all do a great job.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Well done Stuart! Good to have someone around with an ounce of good sense.

    Rolling out Eric Bush with his prepared speech is hardly the answer while the criminals are laughing at us all and continue to increase the level of violence. By the time the growing crime rate and Mckeeva’s sale of PR and assets is finished we will be stripped naked and left to fry. Wake up Cayman!

  4. Anonymous says:

    Totaly agree with  Stewart. Now as a punishment we shol make all our prisoners do this for the general public ever month. see link below;

     

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnk7lh9M3o&feature=related

     

    Our young Caymanians will not wanna go to NW then. LOL

  5. mike gooding says:

    Stuart is absolutely right.  There is no room for compromise.. Thank God we have someone in his position  to take a positive stand.   What is the worst thing they can do to him?   Stuart is and has been a no nonsense individual.  I worked with him, so I know.   He is the genuine artical.  Keep it up Stuart.  I support you along with others.

  6. Lachlan MacTavish says:

    Excellent Stuart…….press on…..immediate aggressive proaction combined efforts and get crime under control. Keep up the great work. 

  7. Anonymous says:

    When will the law and order zealots realise that the only way to address crime is to tackle the root causes? With the numbers at Northward increasing – and the number of crimes increasing – the fear of punishmentdoes not seem to be working!

    There are reasons why children grow up to be criminals. We need to look at and tackle those social problems first and foremost.

    Children need parenting and love. Young men need role models and father figures. People need jobs and proper housing. Young people need education and vocational training.

    Until and unless we address these issues and take a serious look at what is lacking in our society – and WHY we are producing growing numbers of violent criminals – then our crime problem can only escalate.

     

    • Anonymous says:

      Please just answer one question, Commissioner Baines is pushing this CCTV (I believe Government will be paying it), what happens when the criminal is wearing a mask????  Which if he wasn’t before I am sure he will now knowing there are going to be CCTV’s around…..lol

    • Anonymous says:

      I understand what you are saying about prevention and long term solutions, but we must not ignore the massive problem caused by the relatively small number of thugs who are causing the current mayhem. Getting them behind bars in my view has to be our priority, not only in terms of public safety, but also in terms of showing that crime is punished. Making imprisonment into punishment is also essential.

      For me it is like discovering that your house is on fire. Obviously something happened to cause the fire but the first priority has to be to put the fire out, then you look for ways to make sure that it does not happen again in the future. 

  8. Dacat says:

    You tell them Stu u can show them a thing or two about Crime, sadly once again Austin and his Turtle Meat Show were on the road and airways again this morning truly sad when all we have to discuss is turtle meat  with so many other important issues plaguing us Just because a few greedy inhuman locals threatened not to vote for the "Gowment" Because they want to consume by the way OUR NATIONAL SYMBOL which is on our flag and Coat of ARMS I guess when it is all gone we will have to remove it from our National symbols Mr Adams get on with your work and when they bring it up remind them what they are eating. I want to know who is going to spend money here when visitors don’t come because of crime and when they eat all the turtle we will have to eat the new Symbol the Green Iguana Come onnnnn Cayman get a grip. Who the hell eats its national symbol that just aint cool!

    • Anonymous says:

      It was the national dish long before it became a national symbol. Anyway, France eats its national symbol ‘Le Coq’ – and they are rather famous for both their cuisine and their culture.

       

       

    • Bobby Anonymous says:

      And what do you think happened to the turtles leg?? They ate it! Duhhhhhh!!!

  9. Anonymous says:

    The Chamber of Commerce needs to get out of supporting laziness by the RCIPS.

    Stop offering rewards for information and let the Police get out and work.

    Ever since this reward scheme started the RCIPS has gone steadily backward.

    Do the Research if you doubt my allegation.