Archive for September 4th, 2014

Cayman remains clear of chikungunya virus

(CNS): Although public health officials are still sending a few blood samples each week to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad for testing no more new cases of chikungunya virus have been recorded. The results for the last batch of four blood samples all tested negative, the department confirmed Wednesday. Three more have been sent as a precaution but Cayman appears to have been successful in keeping the mosquito borne disease, spreading throughout the region, from Cayman’s shores. The total confirmed cases of chikungunya remain at five from 29 cases since 25 June.

With just three test results outstanding officials said 20 cases were negative and only one was inconclusive. Meanwhile around the Caribbean 9,139 cases have been recorded.

Further information can be obtained through www.hsa.ky Regional updates can be accessed by visiting the CARPHA website on http://carpha.org/What-We-Do/Public-Health-Activities/Chikungunya. In addition United States updates are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/geo/united-states.html
 

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Moxam: crime policy unclear

(CNS): With the police receiving reports of break-ins and burglaries almost on a nightly basis in the capital, the president of the Chamber of Commerce said that Cayman can’t just accept crime as the “new normal” or the “price of success”. But with what Johann Moxam called an unclear crime prevention policy being pursued by the authorities, more has to be done to tackle the growing problem. The Chamber has written to the National Security Council asking for a meeting as he says the membership is falling victim to criminal acts involving firearms, damage to property, thefts and burglaries, which is undermining business.

"The responsibilities of the National Security Council (NSC) are outlined under section 58 of the Cayman Islands Constitution. The NSC is supposed to receive regular briefings from the Commissioner of Police on matters of internal security, including the police force,” Moxam stated.

However, it is not clear exactly what the NSC has been doing in recent years. Since the publication of the Crime Reduction Strategy some three years ago, prepared by the Council to set out a long term plan to tackle the country’s growing crime issues, there has been a surge in property related crime.

While serious gang violence may have declined, thefts, burglaries, break-ins and robberies are still plaguing the residential as well as business communities. Although the strategy was about long term issues, it is not clear if government policy is in-line with the recommendations in the report. At the time of its publication the then governor, Duncan Taylor, had pointed to a new oversight post or ‘crime tsar’ to coordinate the plan and ensure accountability.

No such person has been appointed three years on but officials have stated that Robert Lewis, Director of the Policy Coordination Unit in the Cabinet Office, has responsibility for the strategy. (CNS has contacted the Home Affairs Ministry and the Governor's Office regarding the oversight of the strategy.)

Moxam said the police commissioner is responsible for informing the premier of any significant security developments but he is concerned that he may not be reporting enough to the victims and potential victims. Accepting that there had been a number of public meetings with the police in the districts, he said the bigger picture needed more clarity.

“The overall crime prevention policy that is being pursued remains unclear to the Chamber Council and the membership,” he said. “There appears to be a general acceptance by some that this level of crime is the 'new normal' and as a country it appears that that we are becoming desensitized to the reported increase in crime. This is a serious concern to our members, citizens, residents and must now become be a priority for the government.

"Although, many businesses and residents have invested thousands of dollars in expensive and complex security systems more must to done by the authorities to aggressively deter criminal activity and address the root causes of crime.”

He warned that Cayman should not accept the attitudes and excuses. “As a country we must not become so desensitized that we come to view this threat to our quality of life merely as a nuisance or the 'price of success'.”

While Moxam urged people to assist the authorities, he said that the Chamber membership still want to see a more proactive approach taken immediately to prevent a further escalation in crime.

Having written to the Security Council to request a meeting to find out what is being done and what more should be done in terms of policy, the president also stated that meetings were being organised between the membership and RCIPS officers for a more practical assistance.

But with millions having been invested already by the business community in crime prevention, there are concerns about how much more the commercial sector must invest to put an end to the economically damaging but escalating property crime.

See Chamber letter below.

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