West Bayers call for more eyes on crime

| 07/06/2010

(CNS): West Bay residents say they do not have enough neighbourhood watch programmes in their districts but would welcome a more widespread use of the crime fighting initiative along with the use of CCTV. A survey conducted among residents in West Bay by CODAC in Marchfound that the majority of people who took part would like to see more proactive community measures to tackle crime in their neighbourhood. They also said they would like to see the pictures of criminals published in the media.

 
Following a meeting held by the premier McKeeva Bush in West Bay as a result of a surge on shootings in the district in March, the West Bay Action Committee also conducted a survey asking people who lived in the area what measures they wanted to see introduced to tackle the crime in the community.
 
A total of 112 people took part in the independent and anonymous survey but 14 papers were spoilt. From the remaining 98 the committee learned West Bayers wanted to see more Neighbourhood Watch schemes only 11 people said they lived in a street with the scheme but 88 said they would like to have one in their neighbourhood. Almost all the respondents (94) said they encouraged the use of Official CCTV Cameras at roadsides and in Hot Zones throughout the district and 84 people said they would go as far as supporting a permanent 8:00pm curfew for unaccompanied minors (16 and younger).
 
Nearly all the respondents also said they would encourage the publishing of mug shots of anyone charged with a capital crime such as murder, rape or armed, robbery  and wanted to be advised when inmates who have committed those types of offences are being released from prison,
 
West Bayers also offered overwhelming support for a mandatory National ID for all residents as well as the fingerprinting and DNS samples of all work permit holders.
 
Those who took part also expressed a desire to see higher police visibility, including foot and canine patrols throughout the district and in particular the know crime hotspots.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Category: Local News

About the Author ()

Comments (7)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Anonymous says:

    For the most part it is Caymanians themselves doing the crime.  What about fingerprinting them (not just work permit holders!)? Make it a requirement of the ID card.

    • Anonymous says:

      I agree, what’s the harm on having your finger prints on file with the application for a drivers license or passport for that matter. After all it is a matter of security is it not??  No harm no foul.

      • Legal Beagle says:

        Because it is illegal under the human rights laws which apply here.  End of story.

  2. Sheerluck Holmes says:

    Experience from the country with the highest density of CCTV coverage, the UK, shows that CCTV has an overall negative impact on crime detection when one takes into account costs and distraction of resources, with the limited exception of vehicle theft which is not a priority issue in the Cayman Islands.

    You would think CCTV helps but it doesn’t.

    • Anonymous says:

      For 911 to monitor a multitude of CCTV monitors would be impractacle.

      The RCIP, the Govt, and the insurance companies, need to pursuade the owners of every fast food outlet, gas station, bank, and liquour store, to have a camera and recorder facing the customers.

      • Anonymous says:

        All such cameras should have high resolution capabilities, if they are to take photographs of sufficient clarity to be used as identification of any felons and ultimately, as evidence in any criminal proceedings.  In all too many cases in other countries, fuzzy pictures fail to secure convictions.

    • Anonymous says:

      It doesn’t take long for the trouble to move to a new area