Cash not jail offered for guns

| 01/08/2011

(CNS): The RCIPS is extending this year's no questions asked gun amnesty for one more month and this time they will be handing out cash to people who bring in the weapons. Disappointed that only two guns and 144 bullets were handed in during July Detective Superintendent Marlon Bodden announced on Monday that police have partnered with a local business to extend the amnesty and reward anyone who brings in a working gun to a police station with $200. Under the same conditions as July's amnesty DS Bodden said the August cash gun amnesty would also be an anonymous and once a gun was cleared by aspecialist officer the person handing it in could walk away with the cash.

Having joined forces with Robert Baraud and his team at the mobile digital billboard company High Impact Media, money is already available Bodden said to exchange for the first gun that comes through a participating police station's door from Monday 1 August. He also said that $25 would be given to individuals for each batch of ten rounds of live ammunition handed in at George Town, Bodden Town, West Bay or Cayman Brac police stations, throughout the month.

Baraud said his firm had put up the first $2000 to make funds available to the RCIPS immediately but he would be raising more money in the wider community in the hope that the extended amnesty with a cash reward could attract a higher weapons count than last year when 26 guns and several hundred bullets were handed over to the cops.

DS Bodden pointed out that given the levels of serious gun crime, before and during what the police are now considering the first phase of this year's amnesty, he RCIPS were willing to try anything to get guns off the streets and save lives.

“We are extremely disappointed that so few people have taken advantage of the chance to hand in guns and ammunition anonymously,” said Detective Superintendent Marlon Bodden regarding the first month. “We have said before that we will do whatever we can to persuade people to hand in their guns. If a few hundred dollars is the price we have to pay to encourage people to do the right thing, we’re happy to do that knowing that, as a result, lives will be saved.”

He explained that “Operation Cash ‘n’ Guns” was an extra incentive which he and Baraud hoped would encourage people to turn in their operable unregistered weapons instead of allowing them to fall into the wrong hands or be used in a future crime.

“With the rise in armed robberies this year, we are urging the citizens and companies to take part in this programme. We ask the public to encourage those you know to turn in their guns. Receiving money for your illegal weapons is a much better solution than committing a crime and spending the next ten years of your life in Northward.” Baraud, owner of High Impact Media said as he pointing out it could be anyone us that was the next victim of crime.
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Baraud said that the details of the amnesty would be on his digital boards today and any businesses or individuals wanting to contribute to the funds could make contact with his office. He said the process would be open and transparent and was being managed by a chartered accountant who would be ensuring all the money raised would be used to reward people bringing in working guns and ammunition that had been approved by the RCIPS' specialist officers.

Bodden said these officers would be on stand-by at each of the relevant stations ready to inspect weapons and clear desk officers to hand over the cash to the people bringing in the weapons who he emphasized would still remain anonymous. He warned however, that the cash would only be given for working guns and that this was not a free ride for people handing in dilapidated weapons as they would all be checked by experts.

He added that as the amnesty continued the police would still be carrying out operations looking for firearms in order to address the increase use of guns in local crime. Disappointed with the first month's haul he said it included only a shot gun and a rifle both handed in at Bodden Town police station and 144 bullets which were given to various stations. He said that while every gun removed from the street is a success given how much gun crime there is at present the police were hoping to at least match or surpass last year's more significant result.

Despite the growing pile of rewards for information regarding crime not making much difference to current enquiries and outstanding crimes, Bodden said he was notdeterred from trying a cash incentive in the hope that it might help. He said that circumstances change and different incentives at different times may impact people in different ways and if there was a chance that a few hundred dollars would encourage someone to bring in another illegal, unwanted or unlicensed firearm then the police would welcome that.

He explained the amnesty was also only part of a wider strategy to deal with gun crime.

Bodden also stated that enquiries regarding the two most recent robberies in which the victims were shot were still ongoing and at this stage police had no evidence to suggest that the incidents — one in Red Bay when a man was shot in the senior officer confirmed that the RCIPS were still investigating the ballistic leads they had gained at a number of crime scenes recently where weapons had been fired. DS Bodden urged the public once again to help the police all they could to bring the people perpetrating these robberies to justice.

Anyone who would like to donate funds for this programme is asked to contact High Impact Media at 938-9191 as soon as possible for more information on how you can take part. Anyone with information about gun crime in the Cayman Islands should contact the RCIPS confidential tip line at 949-7777 or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    I find it very sad to read all of the negativity surrounding this campaign. It is so easy for you all to sit back in your home and type negative and cynical messages on your computer but how many of you are willing to stick your neck out in the public and try to do something about the situation?? Atleast these people are standing up in public and trying to make an effort to make this a safer place for all of us to live in. Even if it doesn't work, which without all of our support it won't, atleast they are trying. How many of you are hitting the streets and trying to change things?? I applaud them for their efforts and stand behind them as they try to make a difference in the community that even all of you cynics can enjoy. These campaigns have been successful in the past in many countries around the world and I am sure they unlike those of you with your negative comments have researched this campaign before it was launched. I sincerely hope that Cayman can come together to work on bettering this country instead of trying to always cut down those that are trying their best to make a difference. I will definately be calling and making a donation today.

  2. a naw no mouse says:

    More of the RCIPS being "Intelligently Aggressive"? ….Not feelin it Po Po

  3. Anonymous says:

    This is rediculous. I can rob someone, shoot them, get their money and turn in the gun after and get another $200. Then they just go and purchase another one and do it all over again. These criminals are making asses out of the RCIP. They cant do their job to catch them so they have to pay them to turn in their weapn and go free for the crimes commited. I wonder if anyone actually thinks these sort of incentives and programmes over before going through with them.

  4. Anonymous says:

    OH MY GOSH – they have gone mad!

    I picture a bunch of criminals huddling in some house, killing themselves laughing right about now.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Amnesty shamnesty!!!!  Get the police to actively pursue this problem on the street head on with a sensible high enforcement strategy and put a stranglehold on anyone owning an illegal firearm!  Pressure pressure pressure pressure pressure pressure until every last unregistered firearm and criminal is accounted for.  As such I completely agree with the previous message…Regular random sweeps of every known-offender residence in the Cayman Islands would be a nice start indeed.  Judges fire up your pens and start dishing out warrantsnow!

  6. Anonymous says:

    I can purchase 25 rounds for my shot gun or 50+ rounds for my rifle for $25. So I can turn in 10 and at least double my money or rounds.
    Good job Marlon

  7. Anonymous says:

    Ha…..what a joke. Okay call me at 1 345 926 guns and i will offer you more as it sure cost more to have it smuggled in.

  8. Anonymous says:

    I owen three 9 mils hand guns. A  AR 15 with a 30 shot clip. A uzi with a 30 shot clip. And three shot guns. My house in Canada has never been robbed. I wonder why?????? Every one of those guns are registered. And I have the licence for all my weapons. All my children are licenced and know how to shoot. . Guess what. They have never been robbed. And they pack a 9 mil at home too. My daughters have always thanked me for teaching them how to shoot.

  9. Anonymous says:

    Really you can't fault the RCIPS for trying to kick start the amnesty but, as has already been posted, it ain't going to work.

    There needs to be a fundamental change of attitude towards the illegal use of firearms.

    I bet right now the RCIPS are even scared s**tless of shooting one of the b**tards for fear of a public backlash. Look at what happens when a police car chase goes messy?

    Marlon, the message you have to get across is very simple – anyone carrying a firearm in the course of committing a crime will get blown away. Doesn't matter if the shooter is an armed citizen or an RCIPS officer carrying one of those really nice H&Ks but anyone who breaks the law with a firearm is going to die! 

    And if you haven't got any officers willing to operate a shoot-to-kill policy I can suggest a few volunteers who are.

  10. Anonymous says:

    how about adding 10 years, no parole for possession of an unlicensed firearm?

  11. Brac Star says:

    It's not the criminals turning in these guns. It's any family member, friend or neighbor that happen to see someone hiding a gun and decide to do the right thing. And as for being anonymous, that's not possible. Surely the police will know who turns in a gun, and certainly if you have to go to collect your $200. Then, the innocent people doing the right thing to get these guns off the streets will be forever watched because the police knew they turned in a gun during amnesty month.

    Cash for guns is giving our young people the wrong message.

  12. Anonymous says:

    Who comes up with these rediculous initiatives?   For goodness sake RCIPS, raid the houses of the known criminals and take the guns! 

  13. Anonymous says:

    Hello, did your gun suddenly jammed recently, were you thinking of throwing it away? Here is an oppurtunity to earn some credit/cash towards your new purchase! spread the word, and if you can import old guns from other countries, please do it as the CASH for  GOLD thing just aimt working out… we're now doing CASH for GUNS, no questions asked!

     

     

  14. Libertarian says:

    Marlon, I applaud you for spearheading a Gun Amnesty. However, I am not so comfortable with you using monies in trade for guns. Perhaps what is lacking and making the Gun Amnesty less effective, is the lack of support from the community and our two political parties. You could have the political parties engage in functions of awareness, drug abuse, and crime. MLA's could promise the community to give speeches at least twice a month on the dangers of guns in the wrong hands. Meanwhile, you could within these functions, have the Gun Amnesty drop off boxes, monitored by Police officers. Have the schools pretty up the boxes. The leaders of the community can assigned fun events and even parades on gun awareness. You can align with the Estella Roberts Foundation and Domestic Abuse activists to help fund these events. It will give opportunities for educating the young on anger management, responsible parenting, and gang related matters. The DARE program can conjoined. And our politicians should combined forces for the national interest of the country, and have marches with no to violence t-shirts. They could have marches in West Bay, George Town, East End, whilst the Gun Amnesty goes on. The march would be symbolic. You could have it at nights with lit candles to denote peace of mind, because alot of people in crime, don't have peace of mind. It would be nice if such an event occurred every year for one month, and there after the private sector help in no to violence functions. We have a problem with crime and it appears that both parties are not helping the situation when they are divide on national issues that could effect the financial industry of the Cayman Islands and our livelihood. They say they talk about it, but you don't see any unity!  Marlon, the entire community ought to be rallied in fighting crime. Maybe you will be the one to spearhead this togetherness. I think that is what the Amnesty is lacking. More preventative initiation. Mere "police force" will not do it. This is a mental / spiritual battle of rehabilitation and enlightenment to both old and young. If businesses are so concerned about their establishments being robbed, I can't see why they can't donate to such a unified cause as well. Regards

    • The Beaver says:

      ha ha ha…actually, you have it backwards.  in return for the MLAs NOT giving any speeches for a month or two, the criminals should hand int their guns.

      • Libertarian says:

        Well, its worth a try… they attack each other on corruption and a whole host of issues; they can at least, speak out on crime that is negatively effecting our tourism.

  15. Anonymous says:

    Every gun off the street helps, yes? If you can argue otherwise, please, go ahead! (I will await your rational response.)

    • Anonymous says:

      I would argue that every gun off the street does help, I would also argue that paying criminals or their vulnerable ie poor relatives is a dumb albeit rational approach which will also prove to be highly ineffective. It also sends the wrong message.

    • Anonymous says:

      I recall that a gun owner used said gun to defend his family, legally, of course.  If he didn't have this gun and couldn't defend his family (which he did and the burglar was killed) would the 200 dollars he received be worth it?  Cash for guns will not work. 

  16. Anonymous says:

    This is so sad. That electronic billboard is a crime in itself against the beauty of this island. It sums up what is wrong, people do anything for money in our society-pistol whip old folks, put up gaudy electronic billboards. Paying criminals to hand in weapons what kind of message does that really send? Makes me wonder if morons make security policy in Cayman. Yes I am being cynical.

    • Anonymous says:

      Let me answer that question for you…Yes morons are responsible for the securtiy policy of the Cayman Islands.  And yes you have a right to be cynical…

  17. CaymanFisting says:

    This sounds likes an awful idea….everyone from surrounding islands/countries that have a gun please try to bring them in…..you’ll get more from the RCIPS than you will at a pawn shop….turn your flare guns into something that resembles a makeshift gun you can be the next recipient of $200 if the cops don’t take it use it to protect yourself…..I guess these are the types of ideas generated when you have no clue where your police commissioner is MIA with no explanation God bless this island

  18. Anonymous says:

    Just when you think the RCIPS could not get any more stupid – they do!

  19. Rickie Tatum says:

    lol a worthless effort if u ask me

    • Anonymous says:

      Any effort is better than no effort at ajj.

       

      At this point we must try everything to get these weapons off Cayman's streets.

  20. Anonymous says:

    I got to give them a hand for trying. When something doesn't work, try a new route. You will only know the effectiveness after a trial run. These low lifes dont have much, most are ignorant so the little they get they cant keep and in the heat of desire for quick cash it may work. I've heard of them trading goods for much less. Nothing beats a fail but a Try. Let's see.

    • Anonymous says:

      Yes, we must be ever mindful of the nature of the beasts we are dealing with.

  21. Anonymous says:

    Note to self: Throw in 2 extra saturday night specials into the next gun run from Jamaica. Sell them to the cops, it will pay for the gas.

  22. Anonymous says:

    In all likelihood…ppl probably paid more than $200 for their illegalgun so explain to me how this is incentive?? Instead of waiting for ppl to turn in weapons and offering chump change for them to do so GO and find the actual criminals. No way in hell I'd be turning in an illegal gun (if I had one) for $200 with all the robberies here on island; NONE of which the police can solve or make a credible arrest!

  23. Subway Cookie says:

    Hand in your old gun, get $200 so you can go buy a new one!

    Seriously, people arent handing in their guns because around here gun crimes are not being solved so there is no consequence.  Criminals keep their illegal guns for crime and every day people keep their illegal guns to protect themselves from criminals.

    Show the criminal that crime does not pay and they will see that even with guns they cannot win.  Until then, this gun amnesty thing is destined to fail.

    • long term resident says:

      Absolutely correct.

      Why on earth would a criminal turn in his (or her) gun when they need it for further crimes or to protect themselves from other criminals.

      And while a law abiding citizen is unlikely to have a gun, it might be the difference between their life and death.

      Of course if one DID use a gun to defend oneself one would probably be arrested.

      However it is better to be judged by 12 men than carried by 6.