Cops ask whole community to hand in guns
(CNS): A window of opportunity to hand in firearms to the police without fear of landing in jail has opened once again. Starting on Friday 1 July until Sunday 31 July any unlicensed, unwanted and illegalguns or ammunition can be handed in at George Town, West Bay, Bodden Town and Cayman Brac police stations and those who take in the guns can do so anonymously where there will be no risk of prosecution for possession of the weapons or ammunition. Detective Superintendent Marlon Bodden, head of the RCIPS Criminal Investigation Department, said that he hoped that this year’s amnesty which focuses on encouraging everyone to take responsibility for fighting crime would mirror the success of the 2010 campaign.
The campaign strap line ‘Our ten year plan’ refers to an island wide commitment to addressing gun crime which Bodden said he hoped would encourage everyone on the Islands to work together for a safer Cayman. Last year the cops asked people what their ten year plan was pointing to the ten year mandatory sentence for crimes which are gun related.
“Last year the crime landscape in the Cayman Islands was somewhat different,” Bodden said. “We launched the 2010 amnesty against a backdrop of gun killings and gang violence. This year we face the challenge of armed robberies where local businesses are being targeted for cash. While the reality is that overall crime is down – this spate of robberies continues to cause us concern. The good news is that over the past few weeks our proactive operations have led to the recovery of a number of loaded guns and some significant arrests – but we do accept that there is still much more work to be done.”
Bodden was speaking at the launch of the 2011 amnesty which he said was just one strand of the RCIPS’ overall strategy to reduce the availability of guns and ammunition on the streets. “It’s one more way to cut thenumber of guns and bullets available for criminal use. There is clear evidence to suggest that guns continue to be shared by criminals on the Islands. Just one gun being removed from that supply chain could prevent numerous robberies and could ultimately save lives.”
Officers from the RCIPS have two firm objectives for the amnesty. The first is to get guns and ammunition off the streets and the second is to start a constructive dialogue within the Cayman Islands about the need to take a collective proactive stand against gun crime.
“What will Cayman look like ten years from now if we don’t start working together to solve this problem? How safe will we feel; how will it impact on our tourism product?” he asked.
“Through this latest amnesty we want communities, government and businesses to work with us and develop Cayman’s ten year plan – our plan to keep these Islands safe and free of gun crime.”
Bodden also noted another significant difference with this year’s amnesty when he explained it will be coming directly to the community. “Through a series of district meetings we will show you how gun crime is impacting on your community and discuss what we can do, collectively, to stop gun crime in Cayman,” he said to the people of Cayman.
Anyone who has an interest in keeping Cayman safe is encouraged to come along and have their say at the meetings (see schedule below).
Anyone who wishes to take part in the amnesty should take their guns and ammunition along to George Town, West Bay, Bodden Town and Cayman Brac police stations. The guns and ammunition should be deposited in the secure lock boxes at the locations. There is no need to provide names or any other personal details to police. The amnesty will operate 7 days a week from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 pm.
If you have information about gun crime, or know of anyone who has an unlicensed or illegal weapon, please call your local police station, the RCIPS confidential tip line 949-7777 or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS).
Public meeting schedule:
Tuesday 5 July 7:30-8:30pm George Town Mary Miller Memorial Hall
Wednesday 6 July 7:30-8:30pm West Bay Sir John A Cumber PS
Thursday 7 July 7:30-8:30pm Bodden Town Bodden Town Primary School
Monday 11 July 7:30-8:30pm East End Civic Centre. Tuesday 12 July 7:30-8:30pm North Side Cradock Ebanks Civic Centre
Wednesday 13 July 7:30-8:30pm Cayman Brac Layman Scott High School Hall
Thursday 14 July 7:30-8:30pm Little Cayman Hurricane Shelter
Category: Crime
Dear Sir, Maam…Hypothetically your are just making excuses. People do know the difference between right and wrong. No one's completley stupid. I will agree that people don't think and people don't care. I will agree people are just lazy. I will agree people want to look cool. Like be a Gangsta and have da bling rather than be seen on the side of the road cutting grass or working any old 9 to 5 Job. It's amazing to me how regular work is so beneath some people but yet they still compalin they have nothing and that no one gives them a fair shake. Everyone starts at the botton but theirwill be those who think the can bypass the bottom. Throw that in with making some bad choices and you have dead weight. They basically drag everyone else down by being a burden to society, Burden to the governments wallett, money that could be spent on kids, maybe victimizing people and stealing. It's kind of hard to buy what your selling and make people who try their best everyday to feel bad. The only exception I feel are the Kids who have bad home lives. Parents who themselves are ruining their childrens chances at a productive life and happiness. People having babies they didn't plan for or can't support. We need to pay attention to the Kids that are in bad households. It is our business as a society if the parents are not taking care of their kids becuase we will be affected by the outcome. If you are a teen or any person that has been affected by a broken household take any rage, sadness or hate you feel and use it to say….it ends with me and I'll never make my kids feel the way I did. If you really want to change stand up straight. Pull your pants up. Look da Man in the eye and say give me a chance and I'll never prove you wrong AND MEAN IT. Otherwise don't try to make anyone feel sorry for you. Stop dragging down the people around you and then as for pity becuase no one wants anything to do with you except loser friends because misery loves company.
This amnesty is just a good as the genius running it. Total waste of time one group spying of Cayman with CCTV the other group trying to disarm law abiding citizens people so they can become victims so their opportunities to look good in the media .Sad man really sad
"Sir / Mam",
I have been walking all day in search of a job. The sun is hot, I have no car, my babymotha can't afford to pay all da bills by herself and we have a child together. I went to prison b4 but i have changed. i have been seeking employment for some time now but have been unsucessful. Gimme a job please na? i am a quick learner and just need an honest dollar. i will sweep yi front step if u want sir or even clean yi toilet bowl! I beggin' PLEASE! i need a job to support my family.
Wa yi say sir, yi na hiring, an u sir, wa u say, i am not trustworthy cuz i been to prison, n u sir, there is no furture for me cus of my previous record….. what must a man to do? If i sell drugs to live, i should b in prision, if i rob to survive, i should be in prison, if i look work i can't get none cus of my previous record and none of una na givin' man a chance….
Bounty killa say "any time mi hungry again yi a go c mi n**e!
Find a solution to the problem. Go out into the community and provide assistance!
Go down in CENTRAL, SWAMP, DOG CITY, Banana Walk, Parts of EE and BT, WESTBAY and provide assistance to these young men! some of them try, but all they get is what society rams down their throats.
Marlon, u know what is going in these streets. help these boys/men out! This anmesty isn't gonna solve anything! I know i will get a million thumbs down for this, but i feel its the truth! with that being said have a nice day Cayman!
Not to sound funny as i do agree that we do not need tons of guns on the streets but if i did have one at the moment, the last thing i would be doing is handing it in. In essence you're saying to the criminals "Here now you dont have to worry about getting your a** blown off anymore since we took everybodies protection away". Not me.
Remember now folks hand those toy guns in every little bit counts. Please put some black tape on butt because it gives it the criminal look.remember now guns are dangerous the only thing more dangerous around here is not having one!
Uh…..Okay. Criminals do you hear that? Be good and hand inyour Guns.