Cops called to Pedro as more teens seen jumping

| 04/01/2012

pedro cliffs.jpg(CNS): Teenagers were once again congregating at the Pedro bluff Wednesday morning for more cliff-jumping stunts, despite the tragic deaths of two young men in the area over the Christmas and New Year holidays. Police from Bodden Town police station were reportedly called to the location after more youngsters were seen at the location, some of whom were said to be jumping into the rough seas. Even though the dangers of diving into the ocean from the bluff were brought into sharp focus by the deaths of 16-year-old Justin Henry and 21-year-old Adam Rankine, the teens seem unperturbed by the obvious risks.

Yesterday the RCIPS said they were in discussions with the Port Authority to erect signs at the location to warn people of the potential dangers of diving into the ocean during rough weather.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Put a buoy in!! Kids are kids and they're always going to jump regardless of risks, warning signs, threats or what have you. They never think they'll be the one to get in trouble. I spoke with some officials out there the other day when they were scouting for places to put warning signs in and suggested putting in a safety buoy so if kids do actually get in trouble they can hang on to it until help comes. The officials' concerns were that a buoy might "encourage more kids to jump"…. I would have to disagree because anyone who jumps thinks they can get out and therefor would never need the buoy. They're not going to jump thinking, "oh, I can just hang on to the buoy til I'm rescued, I may as well jump."   

    Put a buoy in = Possibly risk more kids jumping…

    Don't put a buoy in = Certainly risk more kids dying..

    Seems like an easy one…….

  2. Anonymous says:

    I think it's all well and good for the youths to risk their lives as they see fit, and as some of the posters here seem to endorse.  While the police are rushing to Pedro, the rest of us are being robbed and cannot get help.  If we can charge them for the costs of helicopter and sea rescue, I think they can go right ahead.

    I am raising a young man and hope he will be sensible enough to choose against such stupidity.

  3. Paper Caymanian says:

    Driving fast is against the law. Plenty of risk taking young people die doing that every year.

    Taking drugs is against the law. I don't see that slowing down at all.

    Under age sex is against the law. Last I heard we have an epidemic of teen pregnancy.

    Underage drinking is against the law. Not really enforced at all.

    Armed robbery is against the law. Nuf said.

    Want some more laws?

    I am a parent of a 23 year old young man who has been jumping off that cliff since he was 10.

    He and his freinds were taught by thier fathers how to do it as safely as possible and to look out for each other.

    Given a choice I would not have him do it but since he is wired to seek thrills I try to teach him to do them safely and above all not to put others in danger.

    May God ease the suffering of the parents and family.

     

  4. Anonymous says:

    It is the God given right of the people of the Cayman Islands to jump from these cliffs. Everything has inherant dangers…driving in Cayman is pretty dangerous obviously, but everyone does it. Jump at your own risk.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Want EXTREME ADVENTURE?

    1) join the police and hunt down criminals, and drug dealers

    2) become a judge and help put criminals away

    3) join Social Services and protect innocent children against child abuse and neglect

    4) join the Army, Navy, SEALS and defend a country.

    5) become a health care professional, working elbow deep with a deadly virus like AIDS.

    6) become a UN inspector and report on nuclear plants

    7) rescue injured wild animals and take them to a vet

    8) work on a skyscraper

    9) work in Africa as a photographer

    These young people need to grow up and learn that LIFE and RESPONSIBILITY is an EXTREME ADVENTURE but most lazy people take the easy way out by jumping off cliffs.

    • Dr. Doom says:

      10) Live in West Bay and be involved with criminals. Enjoy assasination attempts and random gunfire.

  6. Anonymous says:

    As sad as it is! If they want to jump let them jump!!!!!!! I know I will recieve alot of thumbs down for my comment. But god gives us free will and the right to choose. So if they want to plunge to their deaths who are we to stop them. God didnt!!!! Sad but thats the harsh reality!

  7. Anonymous says:

    Lord help us all…what is wrong with this generation of today?  Why can these young men take heed?  Young people why cant you all find something  more consecutive to do with your time?  Why cant you all just  go and pick up a book and read or go and play hiding seek with your friends instead of trying to kill yourselves in jumping off a cliff…I hope you all know that once you are gone they aint no coming back! 

    • Anonymous says:

      What is wrong with the generation of today, is that we are being raised by the generation of yesterday. Or in some instances; NOT being raised but left to raise ourselves.

    • Anonny says:

      Something is probably wrong with you for generalizing so much. Maybe you should go play hide and seek in your office. Everyone is different and want different things in life. Get a grip, the winds are from the north and the south side is calm. Better now then when the south side is rough. Go outside, experience and learn.

  8. Anonymous says:

    The "Barrier" should be rows of parents, relatives and friends who are genuinely concerned about the future of our young people and children!

    The "Signs" should be words of Love and Guidance!

    The location need not be at the entrance to the Bluff — it can be in your home, school, church or car!

    Show these youths some real love, people… is it a coincidence that these event occured at the most materialistic time of the year (Christmas) – which is supposed to be the most caring and loving time?

    Im the father of three kids who are safe for now (thank God) but I too need to do more!

  9. Anonymous says:

    We live in a world where cliff jumping and other extreme sports are very popular. No one said Tanya Streeter was stupid for her diving accomplishments. We lauded Penny Palfrey for her dangerous but successful feat. The fact is they have a huge fan base and pay a lot of money. This cliff jumping in Cayman even has a Facebook page. These sports greatly reward those who are willing to make a spectacle of themselves and risk their lives in the name of sport. When a NHRA top fuel driver straps him/herself into a top fuel dragster they are stepping into a vehicle capable of traveling over 300mph in a 1/4 mile in 3 seconds or less. Does cliff jumping at Pedro claim lives? Yes. Unfortunately so does a lot of other things as well. My humble opinion is that we need to regulate this “sport” in a way that recognizes the desire to take part in it (like those seeking approval to have rock climbing in the Brac). Cliff jumping has to be overseen by an association of some sort, the same way that we have the Watersports Assoc., Motorsports Assoc. to over see their respective activites/sports. An association that helps to regulate extreme sports could help to educate the public and partner with the government to put safety measures in place to make this pastime (people have been doing it for years) something that is less risky. The reality is that people, young and old are still going to do it. We can either stand by and complain or try to do something.

  10. Anonymous says:

    As usual, where is the PARENTAL intervention and discipline?

    Caymanians like every body else -teachers, schools, police, helpers, grandmothers, social services and government – to raise their children for them.

    It is not illegal. It is silly kids without supervision, lack of discipline and a cavalier disrespectful attitude for others and authority.

    Parents,do you know where your kids are?!

    or as we Caymanians like to say "So who you for??"

     

     

  11. Anonymous says:

    Clearly, there are many thousands of people who have jumped here and NOT died.  No number of signs and fencing will restrict this national passtime or repeal the bravado of youth.  If we want to increase survival rates, we could show them where they should be jumping, install a couple bouys, drill in a ladder or map the effective climbing routes so kids can see what's involved before they get down there and can't figure out how to get back up.  The bottom is not uniform – there are coral heads – and thus only a couple safe places to survive jump.

  12. Anonymous says:

    I agree that flags should be used and when the red flag is flying it is illegal to jump.  If you do jump and are caught (alive), you will be liable to a fine – set amount – not court appearances – instant fine.  If rescue services needto be called out, you pay for this service if you are of a certain age, say 21.  If under that age, the parents should be responsible for paying. 

  13. Anonymous says:

    It is not any different from the people I see speeding and driving irrationally and dangerously on our roads every day.

    How many deaths have there been on our roads, how many people have had their lifes changed forever because of some tragic accidents – and yet, so many people continue to drive like idiots. What makes it even worse, most of those idiot drivers are adults! Go figure!

  14. Charm says:

    Poor parents. The picney dem outa control. Dem need some beating. When we did a grow up ina Jamaica we neva jump nuh cliff or do nothing daring because we did fraid a the strap. Parents, take your children to the cliff and beat them in front of the sea and tell them. "If unno jump dis-ya cliff, a gwane beat unno worse dan how a beat unno todai, and nex time a gwane broke unno foot and broke unno up, so dat unno caan jump afa no cliff". I bet you anything they will never ever think of going back out there.  

  15. Anonymous says:

    We live in a World where bungee-jumping, sky diving, free-diving, motor racing, running with the bulls in Pamplona, investing in the Stock Market and taking marriage vows are all socially accepted  risk-taking acticvities, so it's going to be pretty hard to convince teenagers, who see themselves as 'immortal', not to jump off 30 foot cliffs. What we might be able to do is to convince them to limit this activity to times when the wind is from the North and the sea is glassy smooth.

     

     

  16. Of The People says:

    There needs to be a Solution to this Problem: 

    I agree with some already stated, and there should be no measure in protecting children who need to beable to live in order to learn… were all different now than we were at 16 and 21 

    They Need Guidance 

    – Put up a barrier 

    – Have a Large Sign

    – Have a security Guard Present so that if one were to jump (One more Caymanian Employed)

    the Police (who have nothing to do anyway) can be notified to arrest them and charge a $1000 fine…which will also have the parents who will have to pay this, maybe pay more attention to their unruly children.

    This will help to prevent and instill legal fear if the very least to minimize the fun of this dangerous activity. 

    • Anonymous says:

      One small problem, you cannot arrest and/or fine someone for doing something unless it is first ILLEGAL.  Sometimes it is good to think things through before you post.

      Hey, how about this….maybe parents should stop being their kids' besties and be their parents.  If you tell your child not to cliff jump because it is dangerous and you love them and dont want them injured or killed and your kid kisses his teeth and does it anyway then you have already dropped the ball somewhere along the way.  I know kids act out and they feel they are invincible but as parents it is your job first to train them to make good decisions, stop looking to the government to fix the problem.  There is no money for them to be made here….government is a business not a charity.

      I'm in my thirties and I still do not, would not and can not pass my place with my mother.

      Kids are desensitized to so much, no one taught them to respect authority so they don't. XXXX

    • Anonymous says:

      You can't arrest somone for jumping into the water. It's just un-realistic.

  17. Anonymous says:

    People die every day doing everything you can imagine all around the world. In travel, in play and in work.
    Many of these activities have rules, laws and regulations trying to control them or controlling them.
    To throw your hands up and demand goverment regulations and police involvement on a matter like this goes to show the mentality of those on this blog. How often do “sea faring” men go to sea and require assistance or even perish? There are many laws on the books and much common sense ignored often.
    If you or your family and friends are involved in anything water based become educated. There are times to jump, boat, fish, swim, surf etc and there are definitely times not to. We all make our own decisions. Sometimes the outcome is not nice. No ones fault but our own.
    You want to focus the energy of the government and police? Start on the road ways. Plenty of regulations there ignored and unenforced. :

  18. Anonymous says:

    NO easy solution.

    Problem here is that the kids will ignore signs etc (we do not need to understand their thought processes here – I don't – just accept that the proof is there). and the Police can do nothing meaningful unless what they are doing is an offence. 

    What offence?

    Trespassing? This is public land and we cannot just shut off public land in a libertarian society (thin edge of the wedge).

    What else then?

    There have been plenty of good reasons to be sceptical about the RCIP effectiveness but they are in a lose lose situation here. They are powerless to do anything and just being there willmake things worse – more 'edgy' for the kids ("we were doing this and the cops came and told us not too but could do nothing hee hee" type stuff) but if they don't do anything then they get blasted for "ignoring" what is going on.

    I confess to no answer but ask people to stop the 'let them jump and die – serves them right" stuff and the "put up signs / arrest them" stuff because those are inhuman / unrealistic  non solutions. This is a problem so how do we solve it. NEW ideas please.

  19. Anonymous says:

    *sigh*
    Common sense just doesn’t seem to be very common here.

  20. NeoSurvivor says:

    No, of course they weren't "perturbed".    Once anyone has died in the performace of a foolhardy stunt, then others will flock to the site to test their mettle, and laud their own bragging rights.    It was the same when I was a child.   

    I think what needs to be done is to install lines that can assist a floundering jumper in getting back to the trail that leads to the top of the cliff.    You may say that such a measure would only encourage jumpers, and that may be true, I'll admit.   However, unless the police intend to camp out at Pedro, this activity will continue until it is no longer fashionable.   We can either:

    1)  fund a person or persons to oversee the area from sunup to sundown (not a bad idea in itself………. two more CAYMANIANS employed)

    or

    2) provide and install some safety measures to help jumpers caught in the current to get out quickly. 

    or

    3) both.  

    Guardrails, etc. won't change a thing.    Kids are attracted to sites such as this the same way you and I slow down and stare at an accident.    It's not pretty, but it's life.  

    • Anonymous says:

      Is there any connection with the tenns attempting to jump yesterday and those who are deceased. It just seems rather strange that there is a recent upsurge in diving off Pedro

  21. Pitta Patta says:

    Really? Don't they ever learn? How STUPID can these idiots be? My GOD, isn't 2 enough? This should be made illegal so that they can be locked up!

  22. Just Sayin says:

    Maybe there is some "suicide" pact we don't know about.

    I can't think of a good reason why any sensible person after not one, but two deaths would want to do this.

    Or maybe they want to take the risk and prove that they did it and didn’t die (who knows with teenagers!)

    • Anonymous1 says:

      Do you not drive on the roads after the seventh person has lost his live driving on them. What we should be doing is to find a safer way of doing things we enjoy. I enjoy motor sports and sure as hell I try to keep to as much of all safty measures as possible, but I do understand that there are dangers involved. These divers know the dangers but the sport is something they love just as some of us love to go scuba diving with it's dangers as well.

      • Just Sayin says:

        Quite a silly analogy.

        Driving on the road is almost mandatory to get from point A to B (lack of reliable public transport and all) and even when we are trying to drive as safely as we possibly can there is always some idiot who is not and who sometimes end up crashing into and perhaps killing the safe driver.

        Whereas cliff jumping in that area is not manadatory, it is clearly a choice, a risky, more than 50% chance of drowning choice so the fact that you would compare it to driving indicates your mentality. Perhaps you are one of those risky cliff-jumpers.

  23. Anonymous says:

    Clearly these kids have a deathwish.

  24. Anonymous says:

    Let them jump.  It's one way of weeding out the unproductive members of society.

    Put a sign up explaining that NO search and rescue will be carried out if you jump and stand by that decision.  In this economy we cannot afford to support people being stupid for the fun of it.  The bill for the RCIP, Marine Unit and Chopper are all too expensive for the personal entertainment of one immature, reckless, bored member of the community.

    This is harsh, but I would rather the money and time be spent finding out who held up the shop, or murdered a person.  Even better yet, invest it in young children so they won't turn out to be this reckless at 16 or in their 20's.

    Sorry but I have no sympathy for anyone who jumps off Pedro Bluff. 

    • Anonymous says:

      Is this what they mean by Cayman Kind?

      Shame on this contributor and all those who gave a thumbs up to his hateful posting. Such callusness is certainly not Christian.

      Sometimes I am really shocked by how mean Caymanians can be toward the suffering of others.

      • Anonymous says:

        The young people have seen not one, BUT TWO people die there in the last week and yet they are still foolish enough to jump. Do you really think throwing RCIP time at the problem is going to solve it?  They either value life or they don't. 

        Parents either teach their childrne the value of life or they don't.  The mind of a teenager or a 20 year old is a difficult thing to change even when they look for help and want to change. These people either needed better parenting or serious mental therapy. RCIP is not  "ya mama or daddy" or "ya shrink".  That is the reality of the situation.

        oh and by the way, God called it free will.  I believe the Bible talks about free will all the time.

        Is it "KIND" to the people who are attacked, robbed or killed when their crimes go unsolved because RCIP etc are held up dealing with an immature people hell bent on extreme entertainment?  People elect to jump off cliffs, not to be robbed or killed at the hand of others.

    • Anonymous says:

      You should be ashamed of yourself.

  25. Anonymous says:

    they need to arrest them on spot for doing this and then the message will reach them

    • Anonymous says:

      Arrested under what charge?  Thinking about jumping?

    • Anonymous says:

      Yeah just like guns, drugs, DUI…. Etc. People never learn

    • McCarron McLaughlin says:

      Arrest people for what? For going about their lives how they choose? Cops have alot of cases to close, maybe they should focus more on these and leave "free minded people" alone!!!

  26. Anonymous says:

    Life is not a video game guys! You cant reset.

  27. Anonymous says:

    According to Cayman 27 after the polive left the area teens continued to jump. How can this even be the case? Why did police not escort them to their vehicles and order them to leave?! and if they are underage teens then the Police should have made it their business to take them back home!

    http://www.cayman27.com.ky/2012/01/04/youngsters-cliff-jump-despite-recent-tragedies

    • Bling man says:

      The police should not interfere with anyone not breaking the law.  This would include the fools jumping into the water.  The RCIP are not baby-sitters!

      • Anonymous says:

        If it was your child you would want them to take your child home! No parent wants to lose a child regardless!

        • Anonymous says:

          They can be brought home one day but they'll be there the next day.

          You can't lock them up in their rooms for the rest of their lives.

           

  28. McCarron McLaughlin says:

    Why are police going to this location when there are more urgent things to do?

    Why does the government/police feel they have the right to tell the citizens how to go about their lives?

    Leave people alone and stop infringing on our personal liberties and freedoms. If people feel they want to risk their lives at jumping of a bluff leave them and butt out.

    • Anonymous says:

      …and when they need pulling out?????????

    • Anonymous says:

      What a ridiculous post. So then when they get into trouble should they call the police to deploy the marine unit and helicopter or should the police leave them be to go about their business?

      • Anonymous says:

        If they are dumb enough to jump off Pedro when the swell is that big they are asking for it.

        I have been jumping off that cliff for more than 20yrs, the difference is I know when not to.

        Some people are just stupid and always have to learn the hard way.

      • McCarron McLaughlin says:

        You are missing my point Anonymous 22:44, doyou want the government and police to have control of every facet of your life?

        Wouldn't you want to be an independent thinker and not have the government or police controlling how you go about your life?

        if your answer is Yes for the first question and No for the second, then I say you are follish and cant think for yourself.

        It is generally agreed that the most important single function of government and the Police is to secure the rights and freedoms of individual citizens, not decide what and where we can't go and do!.

        • Anonymous says:

          writter i think you missing the point. The police was called out there by members of the public. They did not just show up. You sound like you have a problem with authority.I guess that is why we are having so much problems on Island now with crime. Everyone  wants to be left alone to do as they please. In this world don't matter where you go there are rules to follow.

  29. LMAO says:

    Now is actually a good time to jump off the cliffs at Pedro. With the seas coming out of the north its perfectly safe to jump (if you can swim and climb) because the south side of the island is flat calm. This shouldn't be taken away from the youths, I enjoyed jumping as a youth. Education is obviously needed, if the seas are coming out of the south then it can be extremely dangerous. Also, I think part of the problem is, when you are stood 55ft above the sea it may seem deceivingly calm and once in the water you find out otherwise by which point it is too late.

    For the people who say the current will pull you under even if its flat calm, I say RUBBISH!!! People get trapped under the wave cut ledges at the bottom of the cliffs during rough seas, they are not pulled under.

    Talk to the youths, educate them! Don't try and take this away, they're obviously still going to do it!

    • sim diver says:

      "For the people who say the current will pull you under even if its flat calm, I say RUBBISH!!!"  You are as niave as can be!  You must not be Caymanian!  You my friend don't know anything about currents. Have you ever heard of an underwater river or stream?  DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS?  DO YOU KNOW ITS SUBTLE NATURE?  PLEASE STOP MAKING FOOLISH COMMENTS!

  30. Caymanian Boat Captain says:

    The new and coming generations "Shall Be Weaker But Wiser"

    I guess "Weaker" in the sense that they will succumb to temptation and sin more quickly/faster but "Wiser" in the sense that their knowledge of the world including technology will be greater, I guess.

    What a generation we have in the Cayman Islands these days, it's almost beyond belief !!!    

  31. Anonymous says:

    WTF!   This must be unreal..  Arrest them and let them stay in jail until school resumes or they get some sense!

  32. Anonymous says:

    they just cantt hear untill they feel smh*

  33. Anonymous says:

    a young man and a teenage boy just lost their lives from jumping off the cliff and those teens still out there jumping off from it??its like they dont love their life but like the old saying says "if ears cant hear a** will feel"  lord help some of these teens because it seems their so hard headed and lacking common sense.

  34. Really? says:

    All those saying put signs saying "no jumping"…..for what? Do you not think these children have read or heard the news that 2 kids dies jumping? They have read the news and heard the reports … and yet they are back there today … come on ?!? If you do not have common sense … then …sorry. Nothing can be done to stop them.

  35. Anonymous says:

    Total ignorance these teens are showing. I really am not surprised. We will have a 3rd drowning and you cannot blame the police because they have better things to do than guard a cliff that people are warned repeatedly not to jump from.

  36. A Different Approach says:

    Aren't schools back in now? Where are the parents for these children?

  37. Wow! says:

    The saying use to be "if you dont hear, you will feel", but it is now "if you dont hear, your family will feel" – What a shame!

  38. Anonymous says:

    Put a boundary up and fine anyone past the boundary $1000

    Who wants to cliff jump for 1k?

  39. Anonymous says:

    Where are the parents of these children.

    The authority need to have anyone that goes near that site again, arrested or fined with prison time for there own safety.

  40. Bueller says:

    Aren't the cruise ships at Spotts today? If so, chances are it's calm on that side

  41. Crayon Break says:

    These are some bored kids!!

     

  42. Anonymous says:

    Why on earth are teens still going to jump!?  Signs won't keep them away…. the area should be patrolled and fine the ones who don't obey.

  43. Rab Bellyun says:

    Ah, having sown to the wind of our own personal greed as we have singlemindedly focussed our lives on the pursuit of money and material wealth, we are now reaping the whirlwind of our children's empty, hollow existences where the thrill they get from peer acceptance is greater than any acceptance they were given as a child.

    Expect more of this behaviour to continue. Change begins with us, not our children. Are there any more courageous Caymanians left to point the children to God, or have we all forsaken the way of truth?

    I am not talking about our endless slew of divided churches that cannot seem to function unless an offering plate is passed around.

    I am talking about noble people who are not afraid to spend a little time on their knees humbly petitioning a mighty God to intervene in our crumbling islands.

    Our arrogance has separated us from the blessing of God. He has been patient and like the father of the prodigal son, he is pacing up and down, ever looking to the horizon, hoping against hope that his errant children will come home where they will be safe, loved, provided for and protected.

    I have come home recently and the positive change in my life and my childrens' has been such a blessing.Thanks be to God!

  44. Anonymous says:

    Tell me something is some one out there paying money to these young people who can jump off the cliff and survive? What the "front door" wrong with these people.