Archive for June, 2010

US makes plans to deport 1000s of Jamaicans

Cayman News | 14/06/2010 | 40 Comments

(The Gleaner): Jamaica should brace itself for a wave of deportees from the United States as the numbers in jail has swelled. Clifford Chambers, security attaché at the Jamaican Embassy in Washington, told The Gleaner that more than 6,000 Jamaicans were now in US custody facing deportation proceedings. Chambers, said he could not estimate how many of this number would eventually be sent back as each case would be considered on merit. "In recent times, we are faced with an influx of Jamaicans in US custody who are facing deportation, and that has to do with the beefing up of staff in the immigration and customs sections by the US authorities," Chambers said. "The majority of them are not really felony charges. The majority of them are people who come here legally and have overstayed their visas."

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Robbers used stolen car

Cayman News | 14/06/2010 | 16 Comments

(CNS): Following the armed robbery at a Bodden Town gas station on Friday night, police have now said that they believe the armed robbers had stolen the car they used to commit the robbery from a man who was attacked in South Sound on Thursday night. Police have also confirmed that they have recovered a loaded shotgun as a result of coordinated search operations carried out the area after the arrests were made on Friday night. Police had arrested two men immediately after the robbery following a chase in which officers were fired at by the suspects. Following those arrests officers then made another two arrests on Sunday after an RCIPS operation in the Prospect area. (Photo by Dennie Warren Jr)

Police established during their enquiries that the getaway car used by the suspects to hold up Mostyns Esso on Bodden Town Road had been stolen. The white Honda Civic was taken during another robbery in the George Town area on Thursday evening (10 June). In that incident a man had been driving his car in the South Sound area when he was confronted by two masked men armed with a shotgun. He was then struck with the weapon and was forced to stay within the car as it travelled along Crewe Road.

A short time later he escaped from the vehicle and contacted a friend who conveyed him to hospital. He is currently being treated for serious facial injuries.

Detective Inspector Collins Oremule, the officer leading the investigation into the Bodden Town incidents, is appealing for information about the movements of the stolen vehicle since Thursday night.

“The white Honda Civic was stolen on Thursday night sometime around 10.00 pm. Because of the nature of the injuries sustained by the victim we have, as yet, been unable to ascertain the exact location of the incident. It happened somewhere between the Grand Old House in South Sound and Crewe Road,” he said. “I would be keen to speak to anyone who saw a white Honda Civic in suspicious circumstances between 10.00 pm on Thursday night and the time the car was recovered by police in Bodden Town on Friday evening, as soon as possible. If you have any information about any of these crimes I would urge you to call us now.”

‘Shady’ porn site practices put visitors at risk

Guest Writer | 13/06/2010 | 0 Comments

(BBC): Visitors to porn sites are at serious risk of being exploited by cyber criminals, a study has suggested. It found that many sites harboured malware or used "shady" practices to squeeze money out of their visitors. By creating their own porn sites researchers found that many consumers were vulnerable to known bugs and loopholes. Competition among porn sites makes the online adult industry ripe for abuse by hi-tech criminals. "They have almost inadvertently created a whole ecosystem that’s easy to abuse for cyber crime on a large scale," said Dr Gilbert Wondracek, a computer security expert.

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US holds England to 1-1 draw after Green gaff

Cayman News | 12/06/2010 | 5 Comments

(CNS): While England got off to a flying start with Steve Gerrard’s early goal in the squad’s opening match in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa on Saturday, things went awry following a catastrophic failed saved by goalie Robert Green on a so-so kick by Clint Dempsey. The 1-1 result is a bonus for the USA and a clear disappointment for the English squad, but nevertheless a point on the scoreboard. England captain Gerrard gave the team a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute, neatly flicking the ball past US keeper Tim Howard, but Green’s almost comical error at the other end evened things up five minutes from half time.

Next world cup game is Algeria v Slovenia tomorrow morning

South Africa gets first world cup goal

Cayman News | 12/06/2010 | 0 Comments

(National Post): His name is Siphiwe Tshabalala, but South Africa will simply remember him as a World Cup hero. At 55 minutes into the opening game of the 2010 world cup, Tshabalala scored the tournament’s first goal. It was also the first time South Africa has scored a World Cup goal on their own soil and the first time an African nation scored a World Cup goal in their own continent.“The goal was a great one and I am happy to have been in the position to score it,” Tshabalala told Goal.com. “I didn’t have to think, the chance came and I took it. I am happy about the goal and I want to score more.”

Scores so far:

South Africa 1 Mexico 1

Uruguay 0 France 0

South Korea 2 Greece 0

Argentina 1 Nigeria 0

USA v England kicks off a 1:30pm today Cayman time.

PPM leaders get royal gongs

Cayman News | 12/06/2010 | 37 Comments

(CNS): The former leader of government business and leader of the PPM has been awarded this year’s top royal gong in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for 2010. Kurt Tibbetts has been made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (Civil Division), aka an OBE, for his outstanding service to the community. His party colleague and right hand man, former education minister Alden McLaughlin, has received an MBE for his services to constitutional reform. Both opposition members awards were announced at this morning’s (Saturday 13 June) special celebrations in George Town.

Joining the politicians for royal accolades in Queen Elizabeth’s 84th birthday awards was Deputy Chief Fire Officer Doorly McLaughlin of the Cayman Islands Fire Service (right), who has received the Colonial Police and Fire Service Medal (CPFSM). The governor, Duncan Taylor, has also named Jackie Balls, Celeste Broderick and PennyMcDowall in his first honours awards. The ladies all receive the Cayman Islands Certificate and Badge of Honour (Cert. Hon) for services to the community.

Darwin Kurt Tibbetts received his royal nod following over 30 years of political and community service. “I consider myself blessed to have had the opportunity to raise a family in Cayman and to do what I have. I sincerely want others to have similar opportunities,” he said. The opposition leader and George Town MLA is currently serving his fifth consecutive term in the Legislative Assembly. Between 2000 and 2001 and again in 2005 to 2009 he served as leader of government business. During his second term as LOGB he was also leader of the People’s Progressive Movement party, a position he continues to hold. Tibbett’s major political accomplishments include the Freedom of Information Law and the new Constitution.

Alden McNee McLaughlin was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2000 and has since taken on some of his generation’s biggest issues, and said the adoption of the new Constitution was a crowning moment in his career. As one of Cayman’s visionary politicians, he remains a vocal proponent of a better education system and the advancement of human rights in the Cayman Islands. “Just because Cayman punches above its weight in the financial arena, doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t pay attention to social development and human rights, because these things do matter,” he firmly states.

As a product of the public education system himself, McLaughlin holds that all children must be properly educated when they leave school. “Without that, it is near impossible to take advantage of scholarships or training opportunities – and too many of our young people are facing that struggle.”

Currently in his third term as an elected member, McLaughlin is philosophical about his tenure: “Dealing with criticism and adverse public opinion is never easy, but I have always believed that I can make a difference, and I will continue to serve my people.”

Doorly McLaughlin’s award for long and distinguished service comes as he celebrates his 50th birthday, which is indicative of his life-long ethos of service to country. The deputy chief fire officer is the first local recipient of the Colonial Police and Fire Service Medal (CPM) for dedication to the Cayman Islands Fire Service (CIFS). He has previously received three

Colonial long-service awards for service in his field.

Summarising his career, McLaughlin says he tried to join the service after graduating high school in 1976, but being only 16 at that time he had to wait two more years before enrolling as the youngest officer.

Over the years, McLaughlin consistently managed to balance fieldwork and professional development and his promotions continued. Two years ago, his positive attitude and ongoing education in emergency management led to his appointment as Deputy Chief Fire Officer.

Discarding misconceptionsof domino games and leisure time in the firehouses, he says the rigorous routine of inspecting and testing all equipment twice daily demands more than half of their time. The remainder is spent in training: drills, lectures, project planning, and site visits. While encouraging young Caymanian men into the service, McLaughlin nevertheless cautions that the work is not for the fainthearted or those unwilling to sacrifice personal time, including weekends and holidays.

For more on this year’s awardees:

Darwin Kurt Tibbetts, JP: Order of the British Empire

Alden M. McLaughlin Jr., JP: Member of the British Empire

Doorly McLaughlin: Colonial Police & Fire Service Medal

Jackie Balls: Certificate and Badge of Honour

Celeste Broderick: Certificate and Badge of Honour

Penny McDowall: Certificate and Badge of Honour

Cops arrest ESSO robbers

Cayman News | 12/06/2010 | 73 Comments

(CNS): Updated full story 1pm – Police have confirmed that two men have been arrested in connection with another armed robbery at a gas station following a police chase in which officers were fired upon. On Friday evening (11 June) at 8.52 pm emergency services received a call that the Mostyns Gas station on Bodden Town Road was being robbed by three masked men, one of whom was armed with a shotgun. Officers were in the area and responded intime to see the suspect vehicle leaving the scene. Police tried to stop the vehicle using blue lights and siren but it refused to stop. The car headed towards George Town turning into Northward Road where it was abandoned. Officers arriving on scene were fired upon and the suspects escaped on foot. (Photos Dennie Warren Jr)

However, a search was conducted of the Lower Valley area which resulted in two men being arrested in connection with the robbery at an address in Wil T Road. Although the robbers fired their weapon at police, no one was hurt during the robbery or the chase.

“Thankfully none of our officers, or any members of the public, were injured in this incident. The consequences could have been so much worse,” Superintendent Adrian Seales said. “While we are pleased that we were able to make arrests very quickly after the incidents took place we still need anyone who may have witnessed these men carrying out the robbery, fleeing the scene, making off from the abandoned car or trying to make off from the officers to come forward.

He asked people who may have heard or seen someone running through their back yard to contact police.

“You may even have found property in your yard that shouldn’t be there,” Seales added. “If so, we need you to contact Bodden Town police office as soon as possible with that information. Investigations to trace the third individual involved are actively ongoing and we are following a number of lines of enquiry in relation to that. I would once again take this opportunity to take all necessary precautions with their business security. If you need any advice re this please contact your local police station where officers will do everything they can to assist.”

Investigations into the crime are continuing, led by Detective Sergeant Wright of the CID in Bodden Town 947-2220.

Cayman Islands News, Grand Cayman Island Headline News, Cayman crime

In other crime news, a man was mugged as he walked along the West Bay Road towards his home a little after 1:00 am on Saturday morning. He was walking in the area of Fidelity Bank near the Galleria roundabout when he was attacked by two men armed with knives. The victim received minor cuts and bruises as he struggled with his assailants, who made off with his wallet, a small amount of cash and his cell phone.

Police said that both of his assailants spoke with a Jamaican accent. Officers attended and carried out searches in the area no one was seen and investigations continue.

Anyone who may have been passing in that area at the time and saw anything is asked to contact the George Town Police Station at 9494222 or Crime Stoppers at 800-8477.

Vote in the CNS poll: Is the RCIPS doing a good job?

Gun amnesty hauls mixed bag

Cayman News | 12/06/2010 | 10 Comments

(CNS): Some 26 guns, a crossbow, tear gas, a Taser, a grenade and more than 200 rounds of ammunition were collected during the police gun amnesty that ended last night as a result of the public being willing to come forward and help police make the streets safer. The weapons, which were deposited at police stations across Grand Cayman, were a mixed assortment of weaponry, including some home made (left) as well as modified weapons. With the amnesty now over, however, police have warned that they will begin a proactive hunt for the individuals who have not made use of it. A bounty of $5,000 has been placed on the heads of the local gunmen. (Photos by Dennie Warren Jr)

Declaring the amnesty a success, Commissioner of Police David Baines said that the modified weapons and replica guns indicated that genuine firearms are not as common on the island as people suspect. He stated that the home made weapons, which were viable and dangerous to the user as well as those they were aimed at, indicated that it was not so easy for criminals to acquire the real thing, hence the trouble taken to construct or modify things such as the risky adaptation of flare guns to fire bullets.

The amnesty also resulted in a number of genuine firearms, including rifles, shotguns, pistols and handguns, which the police say will now be safely disposed of. The commissioner said that although he was unable to confirm at this stage if any of the weapons have been used in the course of a crime, the serial number had been erased from at least one weapon, which indicated it was likely to have had a criminal purpose.

“The figures speak for themselves,” said Baines. “These weapons and the ammunition surrendered as part of the amnesty could, if they got into the wrong hands,kill — let’s be in no doubt about that.”

He said that by taking part in the amnesty, people had demonstrated that they were no longer willing to stand by and let gun-wielding criminals terrorise the islands. “They are no longer prepared to live in fear. I personally thank every single person who took part in the initiative – and decided that they want to be part of a safer Cayman.”

The commissioner said the amnesty was just one part of a multifaceted approach to reducing the demand and supply of guns, and following the amnesty on the weapons police were now turning their attention to the people.

“Today, in conjunction with Cayman Crime Stoppers, I am effectively placing a bounty on the head of anyone who holds an illegal or unlicensed gun,” he said on Friday afternoon, adding that a $5,000 reward was being put up for anyone who could help in the conviction of a gun related crime.

“The Crime Stoppers Board and I agree that while this is a substantial amount of money to many people in Cayman – it’s a small price to pay to ensure that we cut gun crime in the islands and ensure those responsible end up behind bars.”

Lauding the success of the amnesty, Detective Superintendent Marlon Bodden said the proverbial gloves were now off and the police would be executing the ten year plan. “The joint RCIPS and Crime Stoppers approach will mean that more people have an incentive to come forward and give us the valuable information we need,” he added, indicating that the police would now be taking a very aggressive approach to putting the gunmen behind bars.

Anyone who has information about people who hold illegal or unlicensed guns, or about anyone involved in gun crime is asked to contact their local police station or Cayman Crime Stoppers 800-8477 (TIPS).

Bag snatcher strikes in GT

Cayman News | 11/06/2010 | 7 Comments

(CNS): Police have confirmed that a woman was mugged in down town George Town today (Friday 11 June) in broad daylight at around 1:30pm. CID are currently investigating the incident which is said to have taken place in North Sound Road/ Godfrey Nixon way but police cannot confirm if the perpetrator was armed with a gun or another weapon. The victim whose bag was reported to contain around $10,000 is said to be unharmed. The police helicopter was sighted hovering in the area of the incident at the time of the assault but police have been unable to confirm if it was looking for the suspect who is said to have escaped on a bicycle.The bag snatched contained takings from a local business police said. (Photo Dennie Warren Jr)

No arrest have been made in connection with the crime.

Immigration says come clean

Cayman News | 11/06/2010 | 19 Comments

(CNS): People who are currently in the Cayman Islands illegally or employers who are holding work permits for people who are no longer properly employed are being offered a window of opportunity to come clean without fear of prosecution. Throughout the whole of next month the Immigration Department will be holding an amnesty for employers in regard to certain offences and for individual illegal aliens who no longer have the right to be here. The department said it estimated that there are some 250 over-stayers currently on island. The amnesty which starts on 1 July and lasts until 31 July comes ahead of a planned clamp down on immigration offences.

Chief Immigration Officer Linda Evans said this opportunity gives employers the chance to regularise their affairs with staff and those who are here illegally time to depart without fear of prosecution before a beefed up enforcement operation begins in August .

“Persons who are caught then will face being prosecuted or being administratively fined,” she explained . “In either case it would hamper their ability to obtain further work permits from the boards. For the more serious offences, prosecution will be sought and possibly deportation.”

The maximum penalty for overstaying is a fine of CI$20,000 and imprisonment of up to five years, and the penalties for work permit offences range from fines between CI$5,000 and CI$15,000 and imprisonment of up to one year.

The department has had amnesties in the past but it is almost six years since the last one. It was decided that now would be an appropriate time to offer an amnesty before a planned joint operation with other law enforcement agencies starts in August with the goalof clamping down on immigration offences.

“We want to give persons and companies the opportunity to regularise their situation without the fear of being prosecuted,” Evans added. “Those who take advantage of the amnesty and come in to cancel work permits for those individuals they have no or insufficient work for will not be prosecuted and those individuals affected will be given time during the amnesty period to get themselves sorted out to depart.”

Over-stayers who turn up at either the immigration headquarters or the ports and inform the officers that they are taking advantage of this will be allowed to depart without fear of prosecution. The amnesty applies to work permits of convenience, persons holding valid work permits but not sufficient work, and illegal landing aliens. When employers cancel work permits for employees that they do not have work for, the employee in question will then be expected to leave the territory before the expiry of the amnesty.

The Immigration Department is asking people who are not sure of their Immigration status to go to its Enforcement Section, where checks will be carried out to determine their legality.

Foreign nationals who are here illegally and who want to take advantage of the amnesty can make an airline reservation and leave during the period without fear of apprehension at the airport. Employers who wish to cancel work permits can submit a letter to the Department of Immigration marked “Amnesty”, informing the CIO of the details of the permits they want to cancel.

Employees whose work permits have been cancelled either by employers or by themselves should report to the Immigration Headquarters with confirmed reservations for their departure during the amnesty period. The employee’s passport would then be endorsed for a specific time to facilitate departure from the Islands during the amnesty period.

“I urge those who are in a position to take advantage of this amnesty to do so. Those who forego this opportunity will be making a serious error of judgement and can expect to face serious consequences,” Evans said. “Every day we hear countless complaints about immigration offences being committed and the effect that this has on our territory. This is a golden opportunity for Caymanian employers to play a part in reducing immigration crime in their country and I expect that they will act responsibly and turn in work permits for employees that they no longer can provide work for.”

She urged everyone who is here illegally to leave, safe in the knowledge that they will not be prosecuted. But she said people offering illegal aliens jobs and housing after the amnesty will face the consequences when they are caught.