Anti-crime tsar to take lead

| 23/06/2011

(CNS): Government has finally revealed the long awaited crime reduction strategy document, which was prepare by the National Security Council (NSC) to set out a long term plan to tackle the country’s growing crime issues. The document says that rehabilitation and early intervention will be the main points of focus with an inter-agency approach that will require a new oversight post. The governor revealed that an anti-crime boss will be appointed to the Cabinet Office to oversee and coordinate the plan and ensure accountability, which has been lacking in the past, in implementing the recommendations in the strategy. A job description has been drawn up and the recruitment process will be underway shortly, Duncan Taylor said.

Launching the document (posted below) at a briefing with the premier and other members of the security council on Wednesday morning, the governor said the new post was an innovative one as it was the first time that a leadership post in government would co-ordinate with and pull resources from all of the ministries and portfolios.

Taylor said that one of the main criticisms that the working group, which drew up the crime prevention strategy, found during its research was that communication between ministries was poor. While much work has been done in the past to try and intervene and address crime there has been poor co-ordination and poor mechanisms for measuring success.

He said that government agencies have, up until now, been measuring outputs and not outcomes but under focused leadership things could improve.  

The new document does not present a quick fix, government officials said, but is designed to address the causes of crime. The premier said it dealt with a lot of social matters and what he liked about it was the intervention element to stop young people from reaching the point where they were getting involved in crime. He said the strategy called for cooperation and partnerships and was necessary as it was costing the public person $56,000 per year for each and every prisoner at Northward Prison.

The document reveals that government has been funding at least 130 different programmes that relate to crime prevention but there was no way of measuring if anything worked and resources are being spread across too many agencies, too thinly.

“There is little coordination between agencies; there are no real performance measures in place; and there is very little evaluation of success or failure of the programmes,” the strategy reveals in its executive summary.

The working group also struggled to get information from the relevant managers, despite several letters from the governor to the chief officers. “Most agencies have not supplied the performance indicators of their various programmes or their success rate,” the writers revealed. “Given the total lack of information submitted on project evaluation, it was impossible to assess how effective the individual programmes are.”

Other shortcomings found by the working group included the fact that there is no drug or alcohol counselling or rehabilitation in the prison and no aftercare help or support for prisoners to stay away from drugs when released, despite the fact of that more than 70% of prisoners have substance abuse issues. Nor, the authors said, is there a mandated syllabus for drug education in schools.

“It is apparent from surveys carried out by the NDC that experimentation with drugs is taking place at an early age. Furthermore, studies show that drugs play a significant role in a number of crimes committed in the Cayman Islands. Despite this there is no consistent integrated syllabus of drugs education within schools,” the report states.

The numerous programmes with no measure of success, the gaps in many other areas in particular in relation to rehabilitation, the failure of agencies and departments to communicate and the lack of accountability all point to the need for strong leadership, the report finds, stating that the NSCl members were in favour of the oversight role. The goal is for the new anti-crime tsar to direct government funds for programmes that directly or indirectly help to reduce crime.

The report stated that a tsar figure was needed with “the necessary clout” and to be accountable, “with clear objectives and cross-departmental responsibilities” to ensure value for money.

The working group has recommended that the established post of Director Policy Co-ordination Unit in the Cabinet Office be filled partly for this purpose but also for other cross departmental initiatives. A draft job description has now been agreed on by the Cabinet Secretary and the Portfolio of Internal and External Affairs. 
 

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Shouldn't tsar be star? 

    Just observing…

    CNS: No.

  2. Anonymous says:

    If the government announces 30 million in additional funds to the Police and a new "Crime Csar" that means this will buy us one notch up from Gun Amnesty Week. We'll get two Gun Amnesty Weeks. Who are you kidding…the flunkies are at it again.

  3. Anonymous says:

    I nominate Brian Gibbs to come back for the post.

  4. Anonymous says:

    I thought the "Crime Reduction Strategy Document" would at least recommend forming a committe to explore the possibility of appointing a team to research a paper examining potential strategies for ACTUALLY CATCHING CRIMINALS.  That way they could get another 5 years work out of it.
     

  5. Anonymous says:

    I dont see why the premier cannot get this job too!

    If he can be the premier, head of finance, boss negotiator, have total control over the civil service, king of the sucklings in his party, and put the FOI in their place and make them tremble behind their desks.

    If he can make and break every Govt contract, have his own protest to protest the people who elected him having a protest, be accountable for nothing, refuse to disclose who made however much from the Cohen deal, and still blame somebody else for all the country's problems.

    Then Cayman is his, and I see no reason why he should not bestow upon himself the title of 'anti-crime tsar'.

    Problem solved!

    • Al Nomadi says:

      This may also be a work in progress as roumer has it that he will take over the original Glass House for his Ministry exclusively. No doubt with his personal flat flying from the top!

    • Anonymous says:

      LOL. Boss Hogg.

  6. Anonymous says:

    Good timing appointing the "Tzar" when crime is at a peak.  It is almost inevitable that it is going to fall naturally in the coming years by itself (it has to or the country will be ruined).  Now the lucky appointee can jet off to crime-prevention seminars around the world (first class of course) and then take credit for the natural decline when it happens.

    Like most people I would have preferred to see some initiative to stop the current crime wave or solve some of the crimes that have already been committed but it seems that is too much to hope for.

  7. Anonymous says:

    Please review the Cabinet Secretary's job description. Policy coordination is already his job and his primary deliverable but yet we are going to hire someone else to do it. Typical of the Civil Service…….just hire another body…..a scapegoat !!!!

    • anonymous says:

      If the Cabinet Secretary is responsible for policy coordination –  why do we need this tsar?

      • Anonymous says:

        The post of Cabinet Secretary in Cayman is, alas, a glorified "gopher" for whoever is the Leader of Government Business/Premier. It has not evolved into the sort of position it should be, namely, one of immense importance in the civil service. The Cabinet Secretary in the UK is a person of serious influence and 'policy coordination" is his main task. The present holder of the post in Cayman is over 60 and should retire. The post should not be filled until someone who can carry out the REAL job of a Cabinet Secretary can be found. My friends in the civil service tell me no such person currently exists in the service.

  8. Job applicant says:

    I want the job i want the job i am joining the Conch Lodge this weekend so i know that is part of the criteria for getting a senior post in the government unfortunately i am not a criminal nor dishonest and i hope that doesn’t preclude me from such a powerful and highly paid post.

  9. Advocate of Rehabilitation says:

    Please add to the Reduce Reoffending Programmes in the Crime Reduction Stragety Report the fact that a NGO currently operates a successful on Island HALFWAY HOUSE for men and women seeking recovery from addiction; many upon leaving prison or CHRC.  The individuals residing at the "HOPE  IN HELL" 2 acre campus in West Bay are provided safe housing in an alcohol and drug free environment.  They must first qualify and then adhere to the guidelines and expectations outlined in our programme.  We promote a lifestyle through which residents discover the meaning of responsibility to themselves and others, and earn trust as a result of healthy choices and positive changes they make.  Our work in assisting them through this transition would be much helped if drug and alcohol counselling had a place in the prison system. The annual cost for each resident participating in our Halfway House Programme is $11,300.  The cost per "each and every prisoner at Northward is $56,000". The cost back from addiction to a purposeful life in the community – priceless.

     

    Frank "Bud" Volinsky

    Operations Manager

    Hope for Today Foundation

    926-4053

    PO Box 1 Hell

    Grand Cayman  KY1-1401

    Hopefoundationcayman@gmail.com

    Hope for Today is a licensed and registered, non-government,

    non-denominational, non-profit organization founded in June 2010.

  10. Dukes of Cayman County says:

    Come now People you know the post will be reserved for “A good Old Boy” never meaning no harm. He will write his own Job description and then fill the post. A perfection of means and a confusion of aims,will be our main problem. It don’t get no better than this?

  11. Anonymous says:

    Of the last dozen murders in the Cayman Islands, what is the conviction rate?

    It seems many people charged for that crime end up walking…

  12. Anonymous says:

    Welcome! time to get a grip on this run away cime spree.

  13. Anonymous says:

    It has to start in the back yard. Young men smoking pot and drinking beer under the the almond tree while the little kids look on and instinctively want to try it. The key person, the home owner or granny, just looks on and shows her approval by doing nothing. The law has to go after these people, to goad them into demonstrating "not in my yard". The little kids would then learn the difference between right and wrong.

  14. Real World says:

    Another Civil Servant!  I wonder how many police officers could have been purchased for the cost of his salary?

  15. Anonymous says:

    20:44 If it smells, it is stink, it looks rotten, it will smell.

  16. Anonymous says:

    Bring back Dennis Brady and some of his old team. This is their home they know how to protect it.

  17. Yo! ... READ ME!!!! says:

    Okay, I have a few opinions as to how we can help prevent crime:

    1st: Have some RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES for the youths of GRAND CAYMAN, CAYMAN ISLANDS that the kids will have something productive to do with their spare time instead of going around and having babies (for the girls) and also (for the guys)commiting crimes for fun.

    And every teenager in the CAYMAN ISLANDS has already stated that CAYMAN needs more things to keep them occupied it's just needs to be put in place so we can try to save the youths before they all go to the dogs.

    2nd: This one is for the POLICE OFFICERS of GRAND CAYMAN, CAYMAN ISLANDS instead of having officers wasting gasoline on A/C how about keeping those windows down and keeping an ear open whenever they pass through neighbourhoods that are well-known for criminal activities I mean the whole topic is about "HOW TO HELP PREVENT CRIME" so why not state the facts of what they should be doing and another thing how about getting out of the vehicles and patrolling on foot for a change!They may actually catch some criminals in act because I'm sure they proberly have their watchman watching out for whenever they see the POLICE coming their direction.

    3rd: Always have an officer(s) in range of businesses on a regular with a officer(s) on duty hopefully that will give the criminal fear of trying to commit crimes because police officers are always on duty at busy businesses which can help lower the crime rate within our country

     

    These are just a few ways to help prevent crime within our island.

     

    • Anonymous says:

      They are too afraid to come out of their patrol cars and walk on foot, remember the criminals have weapons, but they are not allowed any.

  18. Anonymous says:

    It is obvious that the “powers that be”have been more interested in their own agenda than to be bothered with crime issues. So we will have another highly paid civil servant! Let us hope that the funding of the 130 agencies that have not achieved an appreciable reduction in crime is used to pay this new civil servant. Let us hope that this civil servant will be ACCOUNTABLE. I am all for a significant reduction in crime but it will take a BIG person to fill the boots of one who can achieve this.

    • Anonymous says:

      Please  please do not make the anti-crime boss a political apointment nor a civil servant

      a job discription is fine, but do you have any targets with dates to completion in the contract.

      if you do not this will just turn out to be another wast of $$$$$ with reports saying could not acomplish anything because of lack of co-operation from dept. heads,  and the person will just work untill retirement and walk away with fat pension.

      if the targets are not met dismassal immediatly must be in the contract. that will weed out unethical political appointments.

      come on Gov. you have the authority to insure this post will be hard working and ethical with immediate results.

      • R. U. Kiddin says:

        Quote:   "if the targets are not met dismassal immediatly must be in the contract."     WHAT????   I've never heard of such a thing in the Caymans.  It'll never happen…….. it's too sensible.

  19. Boston Tea Party says:

    Hmmmm.  Wonder which feeder at the pork barrel will get this one?  No doubt will be a 100k plus plus benefits position.   I can't imagine there is anyone currently on island who might qualify.  However…

    • Anonymous says:

      Probably another retired UK officer supplementing his already very generous pension.

      I hear John Yates, the former head of Operation Tempura, has his 30 years in and is looking for a retirement job – wonder if he'll be offered the post?

       

    • Anonymous says:

      Which UDP candidates are left that were not elected that have not already been given positions in government?

       

  20. Anonymous says:

    Can SpiderMan apply?  Or only SuperMan?

  21. As I see it says:

    Did I miss the part of the report dealing with "NOW" – what is going to be done to address what is happening right now? And, they're giving the police extra money for a new IT system!!!! that should take care of the robberies and muggings!

  22. Slowpoke says:

    I trust, that this strategy will include an emphasis on sex education, birth control and abortion rights (for those who can't afford a "shopping trip" to Miami).

  23. petermilburn says:

    Would corruption be a good place to start off?

  24. petermilburn says:

    Lets hope this new "person"will be totally disconnected from ANY political interferance and not be caught up in our day to day nonsense.Hopefully our Govt leaders will stay out of the way and let this person get on with the job they were selected to do.

    • West Bay resident says:

      How can a person "reporting direct to cabinet" be free of political interferance. He/she should be reporting to The Govenor.

      • Pending says:

        130 Programs related to crime prevention?

        I would like to see a list of these supposed programs.

        They need to be binned, as they are clearly a waste of time / money,  its plainly obvious that they are doing nothig to prevent crime.

        If this so called new strategy  involves reporting to Cabinet Members etc then  bin it  too, because absolutely nothing will get done and some other mate of the UDP will milk the position / money for all its worth.

        CNS: They are listed in the crime strategy document below the story click on the link.

  25. Anonymous says:

    Cabinet…you don't have to look outside of our shores…give Anthony Ennis the resources and authority and our problems will be solved.  He is intelligent (got his law degree from England while working with RCIP) and has incredible integrity.  Only guy that came out of Tempura looking good 🙂