Breaking news … Robbery victims were targeted!
Quote from Cayman 27’s news report … “Police say the victims of a terrifying armed robbery were specifically targeted and residents need not worry.’ The Inspector’s specific quote was, apparently, “I don’t think that the community has to be overly concerned, I believe they were in fact targeted.”
I find this utterly astounding – I would imagine that yes, they were targeted, just like the poor man returning home at 3am was targeted, and just like someone walking home from work or a restaurant or bar closing up for the night might be targeted.
None of this means that the wider community should not be overly concerned, given the amount of robberies and break-ins that have happened especially lately, not all of them, I might add, have been reported in the press – the police do seem to have very different statistics of actual break-ins than the news services have reported.
As we’re told not to worry because this poor family was targeted, just 24 hours later another robbery involving guns occurs, and I would imagine this location, in the heart of our ‘tourist district’, was also targeted. But I would suggest this in fact means that the wider community needs to become more alert and much more aware of their surroundings and put their guards up rather than see this as a cause to let our guards down and relax and breathe a sigh of relief, because the fact that they may have been targeted only means that we are all safe until in fact we might become targets!
I am pleased to see a positive story on the CCTV cameras and the impact they seem to be having but with all these advances and new technology and increased expenditure on the safety of the residents of and visitors to these islands, I can honestly not recall a time in our history when crime was as high as it is today – when we had to wonder whether our children could walk home from school or whether it was safe to leave your office or home after dark for fear of someone targeting you.
I agree with ‘Castor’, who commented on Sweet Pea’s recent viewpoint when he said, “Until citizens grow a set and step up to the plate and provide the authorities with information and help, these sort of shenanigan hoodlum activities will continue. Citizens (‘Real Caymanians,’ ‘Paper Caymanians’ and Permit Holders) need to do their moral and civic duty. Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and other family members, friends and acquaintances know who the culprits are.” We do need to all become a lot more aware, we need to increase our guard, not decrease it, and we need to provide information when we are aware of any that may be helpful to the police in order that they can do their jobs more effectively.
Another thing ‘Castor’ said was that “bashing the police isn’t helpful”, and he’s right, and my intention in highlighting this inspector’s comment was not to bash the police but to say that we need to stop pretending that everything is OK or that it’s not something we need to worry about until it affects us or our families. We must return to the time when we knew our neighbours and cared about them and took it upon ourselves to check on them if something seems amiss. We need the police to enforce the law but we also need to provide them with the necessary community support in order for them to do so more efficiently and effectively.
Category: Viewpoint
Did anyone hear Mr. Baines {not the guy on the English TV sit com} make any comment on this outrageous statement, attributed to this "genius" police officer. WOW
"know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, know when to run"… Alas, the victims in this robbery didn't have a chance to count their money XXX. :-$ It's More Than Meets the Eye (cue Transformers theme song), Annie. And here I was thinking you were a straight shooter. 😛
Annie, get your gun.
In regard to this situation all i have to say is Tempura had the right people and some in Cayman let them go! But things are so bad here it took four mask men with guns to deliver a little piece of the truth and some measure of justice against this incestuous corruption that plaques this little island
I agree with the officer about the victims being targeted…
But then again every robbery has to be targeted – some pre-planned and some done at the moment that there is an opportunity to rob…
Yet I would say – please do not be 'gambling' that you wont be targeted and become another victim of robbery…
This is utter nonsense. The public has a right to know the truth., the whoe truth.
Duh.. They were targeted for reasons that cannot or will not be reported. HELLO? DO you get it?
Drug dealers can be easy targets as well as gambling dens. I'm not saying that is the reason. I know nothing. Just common sense thoughts that popped into my head first thing. Even before the fateful comment by the police.
Knock knock.. Anyone home?
I also was struck by the Inspector's poor comments that the community should not be "overly concerned". Yes, that's right folks, 3 armed thugs running around this island and sticking up people should not be much of a concern to you. Whether the person was targeted or not makes little difference – there are still 3 armed thugs running around this island! That in itself ought to be more than alarming. The article also mentions that "bashing" the police is not helpful – if only it were so simple… Let's face it folks, the criminals/thugs on this island are not from the Albert Einstein school of Intelligence. In fact, if their sub-reptilians brains allowed them some imagination, they would dream up far more sophisticated heists. The only reason that many of them are not caught and/or sucessfully prosecuted is because of the spectacular incompetence of the RCIPS. Despite the RCIPS' large numbers, the size of the island, the relatively small group of well-known criminals, and the sophisticated equipment available to the RCIPS, it is astounding that there is any crime at all on these islands. Consequently, as far as I am concerned, the Police ought to do better, far better – so when one hear comments such as "do not be overly concerned" all it does is raise further alarm bells as to the competence of those who are there to protect us.
The public ARE overly concerned – and so should the police be.
Yes, that's the whole point of my argument – the public are extremely concerned, the police apparently much less so. Move over folks, nothing to see here, just another "targeted" robbery; nothing to worry about!
Well said Annie! As long as we keep looking the other way and pretend it isn't happening nothing will change. We have to accept the fact that Cayman is not what it used to be and we have to act and live accordingly. I think once you are a victim of a crime, it doesn't matter if you were "targeted" or if the act was random. In fact, where do you draw the line between what is targeted and what is random?
Whilst I agree that bashing the police isn't helpful, I must say that I understand that the general public feels like they have been let down by the RCIP time and time again. We must ensure that all laws and regulations are enforced daily and the RCIP appears to have had a very relaxed attitude toward regular enforcement of the law. Too many people have been brought into custody and have then be released. Unless something changes drastically very very soon, I am afraid that things will continue to get worse.
We all wish to assist and deter crime on this island. This place we call home. However when you look at past history when people stood up, our names would be given to these criminals and there families. What then when you become targeted for speaking up or making a difference. I have been told even people in our witness protectection program are identified, found and targeted.
Have you even look at the procedure of calling 911? You have to give your name, date of birth and your home address just for doing your civic duty.
Going forward, the RCIPS needs to be a professional department and all members to be professional in their duties. Far too many times there have been rogue cops that go unpunished or crimes sweep under the rug for one reason or the other. Place people in charge of our nation security who have the qualifications to make good decisions on behalf of this country i.e. what does Dan Scott or Bridget Kirkconnell know about policing or national security. People like Derek Haines in my opinin should be on these types of boards.
On the note of CCTV, which one have you seen worked in deterring crime. In your own words "crime is worst now than ever in history" why with all the millions of dollars spent on this program?
it's when you get totally random house invasions…thats when youget worried…..
the police are effectively saying that there was more to this story that they can reveal….
Right on!
It's a pretty special case when 4 armed men break in. They clearly thought there was some reason for there to be a lot of cash at the location.
The Marl Road knows very well why the group of people were in the house and what activity was going on there. Apparently the home invaders knew it too.
well said …this non-story is a waste of time for all concerned…especially the police…..