Cops face 40% crime spike
(CNS): An increase of more than 45 percent in burglaries and break-ins, as well as four murders last year, has resulted in a spike in serious crime in Cayman, bucking the trend in recent years of a decrease in the more serious offences. The RCIPS released crime figures on Tuesday afternoon for 2013, which reveal that a whopping 731 burglaries were committed in the islands throughout 2013, 229 more crimes than those reported in 2012 and a rise of 45.62%. Robberies also increase by almost over 37%, with 59 reported cases compared to 43 last year. Four killings last year compared to just one in 2012 resulted in a 300% increase in murder.
Police said that 111 people were arrested on suspicion of burglary, the most prevalent of all serious crime in Cayman. Despite the proactive approach adopted by the RCIPS, burglary reached levels last seen in 2006.
However, while the RCIPS is constantly reviewing its patrol plans and strategies in an effort to reduce the opportunities available to criminals, a sample of burglary reports has revealed that during the last ten weeks of 2013, 30% of reported burglaries took place at premises which were insecure, with burglars gaining access through open or unlocked windows or doors.
“The rise in burglaries is a major concern,” said Commissioner David Baines, who recently received an MBE for his contribution to policing in Cayman.
“Tackling this issue and doing all that we can in terms of patrol and investigative approaches to reduce break-ins is our top priority for us. We have a dedicated burglary team in place and we are in close liaison with the DPP’s office to ensure that when suspects appear in court all possible steps are taken to oppose bail, particularly for suspects who have a history of being prevalent burglars.
“We can definitely see a drop in burglaries when specific suspects are arrested but then when they are released on bail the numberof reports start to rise again. Only a few weeks ago, two of the suspects who were arrested following a burglary in Red Bay, then a subsequent police pursuit, were found to be wearing electronic monitoring tags. It’s clear that much more dialogue needs to take place by all involved in the justice system to find a satisfactory solution to this problem,” he added.
Baines also noted that there were a number of other contributing factors to the issue.
“Firstly, the economic downturn; people are looking to make a quick buck by stealing portable items like flat screen TVs, tablets, smartphones, cash and jewellery,” he warned. “These items can be quickly sold on through a variety of mediums – private ads, face to face exchanges and the use of second hand goods outlets.
“We are working closely with the second hand retailers and, as a result, have been successful in recovering some stolen property which suspects have attempted to pass to staff within the stores. But the fact is that property is much easier to identify, and recover, if serial numbers have been noted by the owners, or the property has been marked using ultraviolet pens, or in some other distinguishing way,” the top cop added.
The commissioner also urged people to be more conscious as things had changed even in Cayman.
“We all have to admit that it’s now a reality that people can no longer leave their doors and windows open without fear of opportunists entering their property and stealing their electronics, cash and other valuables,” Baines said. “We have increased our patrols, particularly in areas which have been identified as burglary hot-spots, but once again we need the community to work alongside us to combat this problem.”
If you don’t have a neighbourhood watch scheme in your area the police are asking concerned community members to contact them for assistance in creating a watch.
“Talk to our officers in your district to target-harden your homes and businesses; often simple things like cutting back bushes, installing outside lighting and locking doors and windows will make your property much less accessible and attractive to burglars. Security companies across the island also offer a wide range of security products, starting with inexpensive window locks to some very sophisticated alarm and monitoring systems,” Baines advised.
Confident that the situation will improve if the police, justice, communities and those involved in business take a collective and proactive approach, Baines said.
“We will see a reduction in opportunities, continuing arrests and as a result, crime will start to fall again. We have seen that targeted arrests and increased patrols are having results and the spike in burglaries we saw as we entered 2014 has been reversed.”
See crime statistics below.
Category: Crime
So it's the police fault when you leave your doors and windows open. It s the police's fault when the burglar comes back out of prison and carries on.
As for reporting a sensationalist 300 per cent increase in murders (that is 4!), only a year before we had six in ten days. That seems to be an improvement?
Selective reading.
Bottom line – lock your house and secure your property. The world is changing, not just Cayman
Thanks for the update and the tally on crime; I see it's still on an upsurge which does not surprise me since you have let the inmates run the asylum in this beautiful land for too long. I have not been there in five years and was hoping things would improve, but apparently it is not possible given the nature of your residents. You country will be Haiti at the rate you are going. Sad.
at least your police force don't fiddle with numbers…
For anyone believing the Police can wave a magic wand and solve all the crime problems easily, welcome to McKeeva's Wonderland.
NO Country, especially one this small can afford to give away citizenship indiscriminantly to perfect strangers and expect better. No background checks, no idea who many of these people are and now they are set up in your own back yard.
Better take care of yourself before you expect anyone else to do it.
It's not the strangers you need worry about.
In response to anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/03/2014 – 05:16.
So to get to the point, you have still done nothing.
=======================================================================+
I have done lots of volunteer work within the community – I don't think that I have to list it for you, but in case you're dying to know, leave me a contact email and I'll send you my resume. I'm glad you're thrilled by the "balls" that he's demonstrated in the robbery – I'm not criticising for that, but rather for his lack of vision, for turning a struggling police force into an incompetent one, and for generally being unsuccessful at putting an end to crime. I don't know theman, but if you recall, among the dumbest things he said is that there are 15 well-known criminals on island… Many more than that have died, are in jail, or are still committing crimes. Under his watch, crime has escalated exponentially and he's been able to do zilch about it. And you want me to give him a cookie for running over an alleged thief, a job that he's being paid very handsomly for. So please, give it a rest with your nonesense about his great accomplishments – because if running over an alleged thief is the best you can do, you have no argument. If he's paying for your drinks to be his cheerleader, I'd understand your eagerness to wave your pom poms all over the place. Otherwise, there's little reason, stupidity aside, for your to defend someone being paid a six figure salary for little value in return.
So still nothing really.
Right, so you're still a troll!
WTF are the National Security Council and Governor Kilpatrick doing to keep Baines accountable after rewarding him with a contract renewal?
I remember the last government gave the RCIPS quite a lot of money to fight the so called gang problem, it wasn't to long ago…that money wasn't well spent at all. Our crime has done nothing but rise higher and higher and the commissioner that we have HAS NOT DONE A DAM THING TO STOP IT!!!! Crime is worse then ever…and we keep patting him on his back. We spent millions of dollars for CCTV to be able to solve the crimes lmao still lmao…that just lined pockets again and didn't help in solving anything….how come that is brought up anymore…..that is the problem on this island everything is covered up….and we thought the other government was bad….look at what we have now….
Can we have more gated communities please?
What about the millions that was spent on the CCTV that was to reduce crime????? You don't hear about that anymore? Look who has it? Need I say anymore?
If you want to reduce crime, then start by reducing the number of unwanted babies who are:
– born with subtle mental disabilities due to the pre-natal abuse that stems from the mother's poor diet and consumption of drugs, both legal and illegal.
– brought into uneducated families that do not value even basic education,
– brought into families that do not want them and do not nurture them.
Long Term Solution? Start by educating young people about birth control methods from a very young age and make the birth control tools easily available with no stigma. Do this and you will see a reduction in crime in about 18 years.
Short Term Solution? One could be a draconian and expensive police state (that is not going to happen, there is not enough money or political will). The probable solution is the installation of a lot of burgler bars, razor wire, communities, and self-imposedcurfews.
So basically, nobody should have kids. I am all for that.
You missed the point.
Procreatrion should be taken seriously, not just as a hangover after sex.
Oh, so you know who all the criminals are? Then you should report them to the police. Either that or that comment reflected simple prejudice.
Like you would?
Without a doubt.
WTF DOING HIS BEST WITH LIMITED RESOURSES
Are you mad or just ignorant to the enormous budget this guy gets to run an inefficient police service. He has received more money than any COP has ever got and has failed to produce the results for the cash.
Baines needs to go he needs to be FIRED he haven’t a clue. Oh but wait I understand he has diplomatic immunity and he will resign just before the present Governor and take over from her.
There is too much discrimination of local officers in the service and the expats haven’t a clue so they are here for the ride and whilst the local officers have their jobs at heart, they are demotivated so crime is on the rise.
One key thing is that I heard that local officers are so afraid to give someone a break in return for information as the Brits will ensure they are written up and in some case lose there jobs. So the Brits are allowed to give their friends a break butbthe local officers have had their discretion taken from them
Get rid of Baines and we will start to get crime under control.
'Local officers are deactivated so crime is on the rise'?
Crime has been rising since 2004 so if that is true, you really have been collecting a pay check for ten years with no return.
Get rid and bring in some people who can do the job.
Not strictly true. With the exception of getting rid of Derek Haines, Stuart Kernohan had been doing a very good job rebuilding RCIPS after the Ivan fiasco until Tempura got him suspended and sacked in 2008. Since then all the good work, plus over 40 good officers and civilian staff, has been lost.
The fact is that RCIPS has become divided, factional and plagued by in fighting – it's not a cohesive law enforcement operation any more.
Baines' atittiude to the media hasn't helped. His 'them and us' mentality has replaced what was once a good working relationship with the local press.
So which bit isn't exactly true?
Crime has been rising since 2004?
Local officers have been demotivated for over ten years, yet still drawn salaries?
Police who can do the job, are not demotivated and can string an intelligible sentence together (both verbally and written) should be brought in to replace those that cannot.
I doubt it.
Just last year Baines or one of his subordinates were waving a "Mission Accomplished" flag so to speak and threw numbers around. Now when the magic show of numbers has disappeared, the truth comes out and all he has is more ridiculous remarks on how to improve crime reduction. The truth be told is that the local.population has allowed a disease to take hold here and the Rcip are an antibiotic that is just not going to work. Baines and his upper management bare collecting six figure pay checks and while if the definition of doing your job is going to an office and breathing and doing nothing measurable else then Baines is fulfilling his requirement. However me thinks we need a tad bit more on the performance scale and while it may look cool running down a few robbers and the community detaining the walking ones, this is not a solution to our escalation in criminality. History will Judge the competence of thosecharged with the tasks that Baines is responsible for. He is duty bound as are his charge and those that dictate policy to deliver a community that is not held hostage by Gangs.
hahah yeah, just like Bush's "Mission Accomplished" banner… worked just as well that time too. RCIPS need to step up their game.
Poor you.
Not surprising. The public as no confidence in the police because there is no proper Witness Protection and that's a fact. Gain back the confidence of the people and focus on important issues instead of chasing Ganja smoking persons who are only small users. They are not the ones you need to chase. Hire more Caymanians. You have many good ex-police offcers who were retired at age 55 and KNOW the People and the Islands an know how not to fuel the fire and get information because we know who is trust. ButMr. Baines you always. Don't say I had told you so. I will leave it at this. We always pray for the PoliceForce in our prayer meeting for All of you so that you all keep safe and do your best wile on duty and of course regain the respect of the public and no more surprises that's costing us a lot of money. God Bless.
If the government AND the people weren't such candyasses they might bring forth legislation to execute robbers on their second conviction. I guarantee that will bring about a reduction in robberies! Remove the robbers and you stop robberies. Guaranteed!
We are under british law. I am sure they do not execute anyone, this is an American thing.
He had the balls to foil a robbery. What did you do to help your community?
========================================================================
Unfortunately it takes BRAINS not BALLS to run a police department – which makes him fit in well with the Office of the Attorney General, the DPP, the CIG and its various bodies. Maybe he ought to use the "I don't/didn't want to stick out like a sore thumb" excuse when discussing his many inabilities to get a hold on crime.
So to get to the point, you have still done nothing.
Wah you tawkin bout? We already have BAINES! Oh am sorry, you said BRAINS!!
Hold on is it budget time again? Cause we only hear more accurate numbers when a budget needs approval.
When running out of ideas as to how to fix a given problem do the following:
1. start spouting of any and all not-so-clever maxims that may come to mind
2. blame the other side for your incompetence
3. ask for a raise and extension of contract
4. close your eyes and hope that all will sort itself out
5. make the occasional appearance in an attempt to remain relevant
Anyone who has lived in the Cayman Islands knows the police do not have a handle on crime and do not really try to control crime.
It is as if the powers that be realize that Northward isn't big enought to really enforce crime so unless it is news worthy, violent or against tourists then don't worry about it.
The local community largely protect the criminal element as the police are not seen to be trustworthy with too many "leaks".
And don't get me started on the court system.
Completely agree, if the police were to really do their jobs, there would be at leadt 10,000 persons in jail and unfortunaley 90% Caymanians!!
Your statement suggest that you are an expat. Please do us all a favor and leave our country and return to the dump you came from.
Trust me, you win the 'my dump is bigger than yours' competition!
I will go when I am ready.
You will go when we say you must if not before.
No, seriously, I will actually go when I am ready.
Don't miss your flight!
That is not accurate. By my reckoning there would be less than 9000.
Define ‘Caymanian’.
There are not that many native adult men!
So, who are these punks then?
If civilians are to do all the work, why do we need cops? I would rather government give a couple of the $30M and I would take care of my own. Homes should now be mandatory be built with burglar bars and bedrooms separated from the main house just like how they are built in south Africa. Thieves would be able o break into the main house and leave the occupants alone in bed whilst they sleep. Just my two cents.
Are you crazy? How want's to lock themselves in a steel cage to burn to death if a fire occurs. What we need to do is to appoint someone who can do the job. There were two bumb threats in two separate hotels a few months ago. I witnessed the police driving by in their vehicles while the staff searched the premises. The commissioner and those officers should have been fired on the spot. Up to this point I have not heard a single word from the chief officer on that huge screw up.
So why were all the bank robberies so successfully solved?
The basic fact is …. the 'free and easy' money that used to circulate is drying up. The 'help' that wasters used to hang around outside the LA building is not there anymore. Crime goes up as these people still won't work.
You can hold demos, create work force agencies, refuse to issue permits, the sad fact is … they still won't work. It is just easier to take something.
Good excuse.
Bring back Derek Haines
Escalation of violent crimes for cash is a symptom of gang influence which has not been successfully countered. Apparently the RCIPS know the gang leadership are and allow them to stay in business dealing in drugs, territorial transshipment/refueling, weapons, and extortion. I have not read about any raids on these local kingpin dens in the decades I have been resident. Every now and then they'll attack each other, but it is the hands-off RCIPS attitude that has allowed this cancer to propagate while having the audacity to point the finger at the public. That's a big big problem that can't be blamed on private citizens too legitimately frightened to speak up. Disable the command and function of these gangs please and demonstrate you are serious.
What about the 15 people that the commissioner talked about who was reonsible for all the crime?
They got elected.
Is it too much to ask to see police cars stationed at most major intersections?
The words "out of sight out of mind" are very appropriate. Over time, the less police presence is felt, the more individuals get comfortable with all sorts of violations (road, speeding, cell phones, breakins, theft, etc.)
Police where needed! Grand Harbour round a bout 24/7
West Bay 4 way stop 24/7. With just 2 patrol cars 24/7 that is half the island!
24/7 Police Cars at the following locations:
In addition to Grand Harbour roundabout and West Bay 4 way stop:
– One police car monitoring speed on Shamrock road from Countryside to Grand Harbour
– One police car monitoring South Sound road
– One police car monitoring Esterly Tibbetts
– One police car stationed near the Jacques Scott's traffic light
With only four police cars/speed traps, traffic incidents will be significantly reduced. Not complicated!
Anyone have additional intersections they want to add?
But wait all you that care about the Island, there is money to be made, don't you understand?
The world is not dangerous because of those who do harm but because of those who look at it without doing anything. Albert Einstien.
People of Cayman please read the above quote….read it long and hard,and think about it, digest it, consider your own part in it…this is a very small island and crime can only exist because of other people (possibly not involved in the actual crime) who are aware that their son/daughter, brother, friend, neighbour, cousin, boyfriend/girlfriend, best mate is/was involved in the stabbing/robbing/shooting/drugs….if you…yes you…. do not speak up at the time or testify in court/tell the police etc etc then the police are havng to try to do their job with one hand tied behind their back….get real ……you all know who the crooks are…..but the question is will you actually do the honest thing and fulfil your moral obligations?
I hope so!
Are you serious? The police can't keep a criminal secured in lock up. They can't find the expensive van that disappeared and nothing is being said about that. Then why do you think people are going to give the police information knowing that the police can't protect them. Additionally, they talk too much,
Headline should read:
'Incompetent & ineffective RCIPS causes crime to spiral out of control'.
This is not a Baines problem but a government problem. Train your people and provide jobs for them. A spike in employment for locals will reduce the crime rate signifcantly.
PPM at work…
What's it got to do with the PPM? Is Baines a member of the PPM? Is the PPM in control of police operations? While idiots like you try to turn this into a partisan issue and eat each other alive the guilty go free.
PPM vote tax payers money for the police. Do not vote any monies unless they are satisfied with the policing. It is that simple. PPM will know what time it is at the next elections if they stay there and allow the civil service to do as they please without asking questions and exercising their authority.
No, it is not that simple. The previous PPM govt. refused to vote funds for the police for Operation Tempura and the Governor exercised his reserve powers to take it. Once they vote the funds they have no control over how they are spent. They have no authority over the police. Which part of that don't you understand?
time for more awards franz………
After the way the police treated us the first time we were robbed, we didn"t bother reporting it the 2nd time. Sure we are not the only ones either.
Indeed; we were just robbed for the second time last week. We didn't report it this time for the exact reason you state.
The bottom line here is that the majority of the public have heard the same old tired and lame excuses from David Baines every time the press call him out. What makes it worse is that this individual seems to be untouchable. Is he a member of a secretive ultra-high-powered group or is he just plain incompetent? Do not discount the first option. Duncan Taylor renews his contract after a period of shocking incompetence before Taylor vanishes abruptly to Mexico leaving us holding this malodorous baby. So then Helen Kilpatrick shows up. She is Order of the Bath by the way. I can guarantee that accountants don't easily get this honour. It is reserved for those who operate in higher circles such as intelligence.Kilpatrick endorses Baines and now Baines can bleat about putting the onus of law enforcement on the very public that he is sworn to protect. Something is very, very wrong here. Baines has a massive budget with miniscule results. Could it be that he is serving his masters well or he is failing us? The truth is both.
I am beginning to think Baines is untouchable as well. We need to demand that Eric Bush and Franz get rid of him or the PPM should demand that they all go.
I certainly agree with you. There was a movement before, but they were intimidated into giving up. I for one will support any motion to remove David Baines as far from the Cayman Islands as is geographically possible, hopefully before some lunatic gives him status. I have put my name to this. I really don't care any more, obviously.
I will say it now and I will say it again, the day that David Baines is relieved of his command and a real policeman takes his place will be a day of rejoicing in the Cayman Islands.
So if Kilpatrick is Order of the Bath and Baines is a malodorous baby, perhaps she can clean him up? Tee-hee!
I guess they’ll blame poor Mac for this one too eh? People fed up with false hope and promises.instead of finding work for these people they busy rowing amongst themselves. This PPM lead government is all sorts of wrong. They make me wish the old government were back in the house. Too much arrogance.
A disgrace, pack your bags and go Bainsey
Well that just goes to show how ignorant you are. The Guy is, I think doing the best he can with limited resources. If courts allow criminals bail, that's not Baines fault, if the criminal gets just a slap on the wrists and is allowed to walk, again you can't blame the Police!!. I think what happened on New Years Day should show all Caymanians that Baines has the B***s, all he needs is the support!!!.
"Limited Resources" …you gotta be $hitting me!!! Millions of dollars and staff coming out his ears and you say he needs more..I would rather give each criminal a little bit of that 30 million to keep them out of trouble that to giveto Baines to waste…
What medal will we give him next year…or is it time for Cayman status…Come on Cayman, we can do better than this loser…
You can have all the staff you could get your budget to pay for, but if a vast majority are corrupt, illiterate, beholden to family, idle or just plain lost, it ain't going to make one bit of difference.
Well he hired them..doesn't say much about his human rsources skills either…stop making excuses for him..if he was working at a real company his a$$ would have been fired a long time ago..
Work at a real company and you are not constrained as to who you hire. You hire those that can do the job not by passport, ethnicity or family ties.
He had the balls to foil a robbery. What did you do to help your community?
I helped pay for him to have 30 million dollars to protect me which he obviously didn't manage well ..Pray tell, what did you do?
Same as you, basically nothing.