Cop patrols stepped up
(CNS): Groups of police officers were highly visible on the streets of George Town today as the cops got out of their cars and patrolled on foot. Police Commissioner David Baines explained that the initiative of a more visible and constant officer presence at key positions on the island was designed to prevent crime and intercept criminals more quickly when offences occur, as well as provide public reassurance. The senior officer also confirmed that he had already responded to the LoGB’s request on Monday to meet with the members of the Legislative Assembly and had updated them on the status of the recent murder, robbery and burglary investigations.
Baines said he attended the Legislative Assembly and met with the leader of government business, Cabinet and the opposition on Monday afternoon at 1:00pm. Besides offering a detailed update on specific inquiries, he said he also explored additional action that could help address some of the fundamental problems the police face in their efforts to tackle crime. He said he had asked about approaching the governor, the attorney general and the UK government to secure urgent legislation that would permit witness evidence to be given with anonymity before court and the need to secure judge only trials in cases where there is a potential threat to jurors.
Baines also made an appeal for those with information to come forward directly or via Crime Stoppers to give information on those they believe have firearms or suspected of engaging in robberies to be identified. Additionally they can leave information on an anonymous voicemail service by calling 949-7777 or they can call Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS). “I guarantee those giving information will have their information held confidentially,” Baines stressed.
Speaking about the new high visibility policing, the commissioner said people would be seeing more officers walking the streets. “The public have a right to expect police to be on the streets and preventing crime, that is a priority, and whilst I have had to divert staff from other areas, you will see more police around the island,” he told the public and explained that some officers had been moved from some of the support roles within the service to compliment their patrol colleagues.
“In addition, targeted operations are on-going to confront those known to us who are responsible for crime. The increased activity will continue until we have stopped the spike in crime and arrested those responsible.”
Four of this year’s seven murders have occurred since Baines took up the top policejob and there has also been a serious spike in robberies and street muggings involving guns and knifes in the last few months, including the recent Margaritaville and Quik-Cash heists. Although police said they had arrested two men in connection with the Quik-Cash robbery yesterday, they have not yet stated if the men have been charged.
While the commissioner updated MLAs on Monday, the public is still waiting to hear if any arrests have been made in connection with the fatal shooting of Marcus Ebanks in West Bay on 8 July, Carlos Webster in Next Level on 9 September, or Fabian Reid, who was shot and killed in Newlands last Tuesday evening, 13 October.
Police have, however, charged three men with the murder of Omar Samuels, who was killed by a fatal gunshot wound to his leg in George Town on 4 July. Those men have appeared in court, but given the sensitivity of the case, Chief Magistrate Margaret Ramsey-Hale has ruled that all the hearings in connection with it will be held behind closed doors until the trial.
Category: Headline News
Well…it is good to read all the wonderful opinions about out Police Force and how them being on the street more visibly will solve crimes, heck even reduce it!
I will be the first to agree that there are administrative changes that are well due, and Police Officers should be more visible…but why don’t we spend more time and effort into actually attacking our problem at its roots?
The bad phrase coming…its a root problem in our society and no amount of Police Officers on the street visible or invisible will prevent crime. When someone sets out with a crime in mind, hell cannot stop it! That’s a fact.
We need to address the disparity of wealth in our society between the "haves" and "have nots" and the corruption that’s on all levels…some even legalised! Bet we don’t want to say that too loudly?
Having our Police on the street visible is a start, but tell me one nation in this world where there is no crime and where having Police on the street has actually prevented it? It will continue until we clean the foundation of our lives…crimes against each other permeates the cracks…and only gets noticed when it creates a stink like we have.
The tourists coming here knows about crimes…but our little Paradise is catching up at all levels and we need to face it and PREVENT it by addressing it wholistically!
I do not agree with these burglaries etc… But I do not hear anyone speaking about it on a more realistic level…simply BLAMING OUR POLICE OFFICERS! We can also point the finger at our Judicial System which needs revamping badly, starting by giving Good Customer Service and actually working along with the Police Force and us the People…and we need to stop pitying the Prepetrator and acknowledge the Victims for who we are! Victims!
What about the Defence Lawyers, on a moral level, what role do we think they play when criminals can go scot free? What message does that send Cayman?
The only way the judicial system can work is if both the prosecution and the defence do the absolute best job they can. In the case of the defence lawyer, his job is to defend his client in any way he can. If a guilty man goes free it means the prosecution has not done their job properly. If an innocent man goes to jail, the defence lawyer has failed.
If either Derek Haines or Rudi Dixon had been promoted to Commissioner of Police in the summer of 2005 and was given by the PPM government the $30 million dollars extra in their budget to work with, the RCIPS would not be in the mess that it’s in today.
Additionally, the quality and quantity of experience would never have departed in such great numbers, who would have been present to deal effectively with crimes.
Instead, a misdirection was launched in full force who pissed about issuing traffic tickets and alienating the public, whilst ignoring the young vipers who were re-organizing and have now emerged spewing their venom, left right and centre at the public.
How pathectic !!!!
Oh dear Jesus, please say that post was ironic and meant to amuse. No, Jesus just spoke to me, the poster was serious. Haines and Dixon! Classic!
The police are miserable because they are now expected to actually use their limbs to do something – most of them are so unfit that they couldn’t beat themselves out of a wet paperbag – they have gotten so used to getting paid to drive around in aircondition
Yesterday (wednesday) 4 officers were indeed patroling the streets of GT but at one period of 20 to 25 mins the 2 female officers were in a perfume store trying samples (maybe the same perfume that was stolen today) while the 2 male officers stood up outside waiting. Thats the good Cayman DOLLAR at work but we should not expect any better!
First let me say…I like Baines, and I think he’s doing a great job…now on to the real deal! What good are these cops to us in the streets without guns??? What use are they going to do us when the criminals all got guns and they just got a piece of stick??? THAT"S A JOKE!!! so with that being said! "
" C.I GOVERMENT WAKE UP AND THINK FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!! ARM THE OFFICERS WITH GUNS NOW." THIS IS A NEW GENERATION OF VIPERS AND THE TIME TO STOP THEM IS NOW!!!!
Can you find out who are the community beat officers for every part of Cayman, request that RCIPS publish their names and contact details and encourage the beat officers to have a monthly meeting with their community to get to know each other, provide details of recent area crime, tips for improving safety and security, images of convicted burglars / drug dealers / pedophiles who are back in the community etc and work to start rebuilding the trust. I live in Prospect (a densely populated residential area with thousands of residents) and I don’t know who my community officer is (perhaps there are two or three beat officers in this part of Cayman…one would expect that to be the case with a Police Force in excess of 300).
Also, congratulations to Mr. Baines on getting the officers out of the A.C. Now tell them to be brave and courageous and get them to (visibly and boldly) go into the known ‘hang outs’ and ‘criminal hot spots’ and push the criminals back underground. You can do this!
Not too long ago we could walk anywhere in Cayman at anytime of the day of night. Ask yourself (and your fellow officers) if there is a location where you would not feel comfortable with young children walking into late at night, and if you can identify such a location then swarm the area with officers until you weed out the thugs. The majority here really want to live in a safe law abiding community, we believe in the concepts of ‘justice and the rule of law,’ we don’t want to see a police force that is undermined and we are getting fed up with the boldness of the crooks.
So your idea to reduce crime in this country is to employ convicted criminals as police officers? You say "Even those coming out from northward employ them I am sure that they would do an excellent job.Remember that some of the best brain is in Northward Prison". This is undoubtedly the most ridiculous comment ever posted in the history of the Cayman news service.
Glad to say that the police on the Brac are also stepping up high visibility policing – two uniformed police officers in the police car were seen by many at a certain drinking establishment yesterday evening stopping off to buy numbers. I was under the impression that the police force were supposed to prevent illegal activities, not indulge in them whilst in uniform and on duty driving around at the government’s expense.
Thank you, Mr. Baines.
This is a step in the right direction.
Many years ago, in the days when Derek Haines was the "Top Cop" (as CNS likes to refer to the Chief of Police), I had the priviledge of knowing some of the boys in DTF (Drugs Task Force). These boys were absolute consumate professionals. A call would come in about a hit going down and they would all show up in unmarked cars and take those sons of bitches down.
They were very passionate about what they did and how they did it. Training was regular and proper protocol was enforced.
What we have today is a bunch of good-time charlies who would not know one end of a shotgun from the other if it bit them as they cruise up and down in the squad cars chatting away on their cell phones, oblivious to the needs of the community.
Mr. Baines, you have some very big shoes to fill, and if my information serves me right, Mr. Haines is still resident in Cayman and you would do well to avail yourself of his experience in serving these islands faithfully and most importantly with integrity.
I hope pride does not get in your way, because he has some qualifications that you could only dream of and that is time served right here in Cayman. Give him a call, take him out for lunch and get to know him. Hehas so much insight that will help you do the job that you crave to do so well.
All the best. In the middle of (B)aines and (H)aines is E for excellence. Attain it.
Mr. Derek Haines applied for the Commisoner of Police position on the last posting. He was interviewed and his name was put on the ‘short list’ for consideration by the panel of local businessmen. Unfortunately, Governor Jack removed his name from that list, in what seems to be for personal reasons. There are many good police officers now working in the private sector who would have returned to the force had Mr. Haines been appointed ‘Top Cop’. And now we are all suffering from increased crime.
I too saw a few officers on the streets in West Bay as well. Incredibly, one was a very senior UK officer walking the beat at the junction of Town Hall Road and North West Point.
This was good to see for a change instead of patrolling in a car travelling the speed limit (proper patrolling should be under the speed limit) with windows up, A/C on full blast and blabbing away on a cell phone, not hearing, seeing or knowing anything that is going on around them.
Being one who pays attention to detail most of the time, I did notice that the skies were extremely overcast and it did rain as well, (for the past few days I might add) but none of these officers were equipped with a raincoat to stay outdoors, if need be.
Somehow, this seems more like an attempt to temporarily quell the noise of the public rather than a strategic move to prevent crime and develop a community policing spirit.
Whilst on the subject of "Community Policing" let me commend PC Sharon Baillie for her dedicated efforts in this regard. She is always visible and is seen working her beat daily, which is much appreciated by the residents of West Bay.
I guess good training usually stays with those who "holds fast to that which is good". I wonder who trained her ???
About time! Now let’s see how long this lasts. And pleeease, enough with the silly roadblocks…
Traffic Dept. should be ticketing for "failing to signal" at roundabouts…and "driving carelessly" (talking on cell phones and with unsecured children). Oh, and the Police can start that by being the example…i can’t count how many times i have observed Police failing to signal and talking on a cell phone whilst driving.
Good start!
Exactly, I was taught that the police were held to a higher standard of behaviour then the rest of us simply by their career choice.
Therefore they must set the example, no speeding, no cell phone use, no u-turns etc.
I call for a crack down by the police at day cares and schools for unsecured children. Every single day Isee a small child standing between the seats otherwise unsecured and it drives me nuts.
How long is this going to last? While all the cops are in GT the criminals are commiting crimes elsewhere on the island. The RCIPS is sad and pathetic the only thing they know how to do is write a ticket for a traffic violation.
It’s all well and good that these foot patrols are stepped up, but….what happens when the armed robber confronts the unarmed police? This equals a dead police. Any increased foot patrols should be done with roving armed mobile patrols as cover or… just done away with this old British mentality and arm the police. More respect guaranteed.
Are you that nuts that you want the police to be armed on the streets. I am sorry they are just not capable and should not be patroling with weapons unless its the task force who raid the various drug locations. NO Weapons for them !
If we can’t trust them with a sidearm, what does that ay about our choices in officers?
Are we really saying: "We’re trusting you to protect the public. You are our only defence. By the way, you can’t have a gun because you are either too stupid or not trustworthy enough to be considered safe with it."
If we’re saying that, we seriously need to re-think the members of the force we have selected, and get professionals instead.
excellent, it is about time. i also saw 4 officers in GT today, and it did suprise me, but made me smile. although i can’t say the same about the officers – they looked very miserable.
good start RCIP – don’t let this be a one off!
Alright Baines, I did see officers patrolling and it did give me some kind of comfort knowing we actually have police out there to help us out in our time of need. So, you’re starting to make a good impression on me, and im sure a few other Caymanians, let’s see if we can keep up the good work with some more good ideas!! Still alot of work to do, but its a start..
Yes I saw them on the streets today – and they didn’t look happy about it at all at all!
Bout time they put the donuts down and got off their a$$es.
But they are a litte eager having just pulled me over and telling me that "my breath smells like alcohol" and asked me "if I had been drinking?" to which I responded "you’re eyes look glazed officer have you been eating donuts"?. I am now writing to you from my air conditioned cell having just eaten a nice meal and about to take a nap.
Stay safe Cayman. Keep up the good work officers.
I did see them too, however the once I have spoted will not be much of help to anybody but the criminals! They only stand around chat with each other, the hands in their pockets and looking at the tourists particularly the ones in the skimpy outfits! Please give me a break, dont we have some kind of a code of conduct in this P-Force??? You may as well add a few Turkeys to ther Roosters and Hens alreadypatroling Down Town and you would get about the same results! Let’s get some proper Officers to take of business ASAP, if we dont have them avaiable (as it seems) replace them with appropriate once starting on the top on down. If needed bring in a specaily trained Force to train the trainable once and get rid of the others, pretty simple really! Regroup, re-think, show some positve action and stop just blowing smoke! As for the new Comish he should join Jack A.. when he leaves too, just another one came here to join the fun and the sun!
Well there not gonna look happy when theyre not getting any support or praise from the people they are trying to protect.. Its not much, but its a start.. be grateful for that..
Did I say I wasn’t grateful? Please don’t put words in my mouth because believe me I am grateful – its high time we saw policemen on the beat… but they’re supposed to be approachable – not scowling at every person they pass and showing their obvious displeasure at being forced out into the streets.
Its about time! With all of these police having to do some real policing I would imagine that their time off will be more substantial!
It’s about time they do some foot work. All they do is drive up and down all day or park of on the side of the road talking on the cell. No wonder they cant catch anyone.
that is so true!
Very recent I had a robbery at my home. Police officers who attended
went off duty the following morning. Unfortunately there was some days off.
whenever there is something as serious as theft it would be a good idea if the officers could spend a few more hours until they perhaps get their fingers on something. By the time that they came back on duty the evidence is GONE. It would be a good idea to communicate alittle more with the
poor victim who is so much depending on the Police. I am not critizing
but trying to help improve . No one ever calls to say what is going on.
I am also suggesting that some of our local guys who are out there doing
nothing meaningful with their lives would be trained as cops .They are very
witty and brilliant and are very familiar with some of those that are committing these crimes.Majority of our cayman boys only need a chance.Since we have to train recruits its better if we train our own
cayman boys.When we are recruiting the best should be and not only
from two countries either. I understand that we have as muchas 140 from one country.
Thats way out of porpotion.There has always been a resement and
disrespect in the community because of this.
Even those coming out from northward employ them I am sure that
they would do an excellent job.Remember that some of the best brain is in
Northward Prison.