CITA calls for dedicated ‘tourism cops’
(CNS): The private sector body which represents the tourism industry has called on the RCIPS and the Cayman Islands Government to consider the implementation of a dedicated tourism police service. The Cayman Islands Tourism Association said the request is being made as it believes there is a need for the destination to maintain the safe environment that the industry promises to visitors. The body said it had a number of ideas about such a service and how it could focus on the needs of visitors and tourism business-owners alike to re-establish confidence in the tourism product. CITA said the tourism economy would be permanently damaged if a tourist gets seriously harmed and they were seeking ways to prevent that from happening.
“In addition to such an alarming potential incident there are already an unsettling number of complaints by long-standing visitors who no longer wish to stay here. Potential and existing investors are also faced with growing concern about the lack of control that RCIPS seems to have within the community,” CITA said in its statement.
The organization said it envisioned that a dedicated tourism police sector could advise and assist tourists during typical activities, such as beach use and safety, undertake late-night patrols near restaurants, bars and accommodations to assure their safety, and make sure guests have a pleasant, memorable stay.
CITA asked for the positioning of dedicated tourism police in areas identified for potential risk or vulnerability, including GeorgeTown, Seven Mile Beach, West Bay and the Eastern Districts. It also said the uniformed officers should be clearly identified as Tourism Police to help with the safety of our visitors.
The body said these officers could offer quick action and investigation of any tourist safety complaints (including registering of complaints and providing police reports in the case of personal injury, theft or loss of items) and providing information on travel security and vacation safety to visitors.
Maintaining a safe environment in tourist areas and ensuring a hassle-free vacation, creating a sense of security during all hours of activity and assisting tourists with concerns may help to address the growing concerns that Cayman is no longer the safe destination it once was.
Category: Business
Hello, I just wanted to let you know that for the past three years my wife and I have vacationed on Grand Cayman, and absolutely love it. However, this year, after seeing the increase in crime on the island reported in the local news, we have decided to go elsewhere. As a retired 25 year law enforcement veteran, I understand what recently has been happening on your beautiful island, as it’s happening everywhere. However, that being said, one should not blame the media, because the public has a right to know what is going on also. I wish all my peers in law enforcement there the best of luck in their future endeavours.
Great idea…Bobbys on bikes on SMB gives the right image for a tourist centre while having eyes on the ground.
Yes. Finally a good idea. Why waste our money on CCTV which destroys our peaceful island atmosphere, infringes on the privacy rights of our people, and isn’t even proven to work? I would feel much much safer with a policeman nearby rather than a camera and I wouldn’t feel paranoid about my every action being recorded.
Simple solutions are always the best.
The best idea that i’ve heard all week. WHY DID THIS TALE SO LONG TO COME THROUGH ??? yes—-finally what Cayman needs. I think such initiatives are not only good for security but will provide new avenues to get our youth positively involved and employed. REcruit the young and train them into the police force so they can mature into admirable officers in the future.
The real tourism related crime is paying 3$ an hour to expats and charging 250$ for a room and 4$ a beer.
And forcing new employees to waive their pension rights (yes I have seen the contracts).
Leaving aside whether you agree with this specific proposal or not (that argument will go both ways) what they are proposing in general is sound. More ‘beat cops’, more visible active police presence, in the neighbourhoods – whether mine, yours or a tourists – is the best way to deter criminality. (Supported of course, by community involvement – neighbourhood watches & Crime Stoppers calls. Backed up by pro-social programmes.) But the fastest first step is more police on the street.
Another way to fleece the Caymanian People… smh
syh indeed