Police blitz West Bay crime spots

(CNS): Officers in West Bay recovered several packages of ganja as well as 50 cocaine rocks in a one week anti-crime blitz in the district, named ‘Operation Bury’, designed to target known offenders and crime hot-spots. The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) said the one week operation was put together by Area Commander, Chief Inspector Angelique Howell (left) in response to concerns within the community.

“The operation involved many RCIPS departments including West Bay uniform and Neighbourhood Policing as well as K9, the Special Constabulary and the Uniform Support Group (USG),” a statement from the police liaison office said.

During the week that concluded on Saturday, 16 August, police said that during an operation conducted in the vicinity of Super C restaurant, 64 wrapped ganja packages and a car was seized, one man was arrested while three other men who fled from the scene on foot are currently being sought. In another operation in the vicinity of Daisy Lane, 50 cocaine rocks and three medium sized parcels of ganja were seized. Three men, aged between 26 and 34 years, were arrested.

‘Walk throughs’ were conducted by officerson foot, with the assistance of K9, in various areas including Birch Tree Hill, Powell Smith Road, Rev Blackman Road and Captain Joe & Osbert – Govt Homes, where utensils used in the consumption of illegal drugs were recovered demonstrating the areas are used quite frequently for drug consumption.

Officers, including Chief Inspector Howell, carried out foot patrols in various areas within the district, meeting and talking with people and hearing their concerns and suggestions on how the West Bay Police can serve them. A number of road blocks were conducted resulting in various traffic offences being detected including speeding, driving with expired registration and driving without a seatbelt.

A community meeting was also held on Birch Tree Hill Road in the vicinity of the EBO Laundromat and Kelly’s Bar on Friday evening. “This campaign was designed to focus heavily on the areas, and the people, known to be involved in crime or criminal activity,” said Chief Inspector Howell. “We carried out pre-planned operations, high visibility foot patrols and roadblocks, all of which were intended to disrupt criminal activity and put pressure on those committing crime.”

Police added that the campaign also helped to reassure the community that the police do take their concerns seriously and a public meeting was held near the end of the week to allow people to voice their views and concerns.

“Although the meeting was not terribly well attended, we did get to meet some residents and hear from them what issues they have,” said Howell. “The main concerns that we heard about were people receiving a slow response from police, little or no discretion being used for minor traffic violations and the need for more police in West Bay.”

This operation will be carried out in West Bay on a regular basis to ensure that the pressure remains upon those who chose to break the law the police said.

Anyone with information about crime taking place in West Bay should contact their local police station on 949-3999 or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS). All persons calling Crime Stoppers remain anonymous, and are eligible for a reward of up to $1000, should their information lead to an arrest or recovery of property/drugs. Chief Inspector Angelique Howell can also be contacted on angeique.howell@gov.ky