MLA wants 3rd strike out
(CNS): The independent MLA for North Side is calling on his political colleagues to back him in a private member'smotion to impose a ‘3rd strike and you are out’ rule on robbers and burglars, which would see habitual offenders locked up for as much as ten years. Ezzard Miller has filed the motion for the next meeting of the Legislative Assembly, which according to a notice from the premier’s office is set to begin on Wednesday 10 September. Miller said that he believes the introduction of a third strike would see the ‘usual suspects’ in his district think again about their crimes as he believes at present they are moving in and out of Northward without a second thought.
The MLA also said the only time his constituents are safe from the growing crime in the once peaceful district is when the main culprits are locked up and as they are frequently released either on bail or after short sentences they continue in their criminal lifestyle, constantly undermining the security of his district.
Concerned that crime is out of control, the independent member said he wanted to see the penal code amended to introduce a mandatory minimum ten year sentence on the third time any offender commits the same crime, which is substantial and will either act as a deterrent to offenders to mend their ways or keep them out of his constituents’ homes and behind bars if they can’t.
Acknowledging the overcrowding at HMP Northward, Miller said he did not believe that the government needed to spend more on the prison system but he said there had to be some way to deter people from a life of crime.
“We have got to do something to address the growing crime and I believe longer sentences on the third crime will act as a deterrent,” he said.
Miller also pointed the finger at pawn shops, as he said he believes the proliferation of these types of stores in Cayman is fuelling the increase in burglaries, robberies and home invasions around the country and he said they these shops too must be subject to a three strike rule or lose their license.
He said that he was aware that police had discovered six flat screen TVs at one pawn shop, all of which had been stolen during burglaries but the owners were not subject to any sanctions despite the obvious ‘fencing’ that was going on.
Category: Crime
Can't we make the prison what it is intended to be? A removal of individuals from society whereby they have limited rights? Otherwise what is the deterrent from going to prison? For some people going to prison is a step up. Cable should not be allowed in prison and if a tv is allowed it should be pre reviewed and approved programming. Nothing that can be chosen at will. Internet access should not be allowed. And how is it that pictures of prisoners are all over Facebook with them posing with each other. How is that possible?! Drugs in jail. Let them have it. But not soft drugs. Let them overdose themselves which controls the numbers in the prison, plus it will reduce reoffending if they overdose. No roommates. Every cell is isolation. Sunlight 2 hours a day on a rotational basis. No more than 4 prisoners outside at a time. Very limited human interaction. This is no matter the severity of the crime. Calorie restricted diets. No more than 2000 calories per day unless a medical need stipulates otherwise. How is it some of these prisoners come out of there fat? I just don't understand. Pink walls – Both the male and female prison. Showers once a week and no AC – as I said for some prison is a step up- have proper ventilation from exterior breeze which reduces the electricity bill. I envision it as the dungeons in medieval times. Shackled even inside the cell.
Mr. Miller has proposed a "solution" that attempts to get at the problem, but as others have pointed out, not without potentially creating many other problems. Maybe he should break this problem down to the basics and look to address the root causes and drivers. Why do people steal? Because they want/need money. How do they get the money? They re-sell the stolen merchandise, either on island at the pawn shops popping up everywhere, or off island through illicit underground transportation. A quick and effective way of choking the money flow is either to outlaw pawn shops altogether (what value are they creating for the country's economy anyway?) or tax them at a prohibitively high rate and police the merchandise they receive on a regular basis. Fewer/no pawn shops = less/no cash flow. As for the transportation of the stolen goods, seems as though we already know a fair bit about how this works. The criminals are stashing the goods, oftentimes in containers, and then moving it out of the country in the dark of night. So our government simply needs to enforce an unrestricted search and seizure process where their is a suspicion of stolen merchandise. No means of selling the stuff off island = cash flow is choked.
As for why people want/need money, that is indeed a bigger problem fueled by factors including unemployment/underemployment and true criminal behaviour. As the country's economy rebounds, more work will need to be done. Now is a great time to review the basic trade training and education that our young citizens are receiving. Ensuring they have access to good jobs that pay well should help those who really need money and revert to burglary. For the hardened repeat offenders (the true minority who probably amount to a few hundred people across the entire island), we know who they are too. They should be taken off the streets for a long time.
From reading the responses to this story I would safely say that the public is not impressed with the current crop of MLAs in the LA.
If only that would mean this bunch of dead wood would be voted out of office.
Term limits added to the constitution is the real answer
The only way to get this bunch away from the trough.
Make sure you get back the govenment credit cards.
What about 3 strikes for abusing public funds as politicians oh sorry I do anything I can while in power only for my personal gain lol
Ezzard you can never get re-elected again. Do you realize that the tables are turned on you if this is true/ Only Caymanians would suffer if this stupid law of yours should be passed. You made huge mistakes yet was given a second chance. You called us niggers in 2012 and still was re-elected! You got your 3rd chance! Ezzard you should resign if this is your best. Our young people need to be given as many chances as possible. God said 70 times70.
Of course only Caymanians will be affected, a foreign national should be deported after being found guilty in the first instance. And in any case, why shouldn't a Caymanian be locked up for a considerable period if they continue to make other peoples lives a misery?
Caymanians do not have a devine right to rule, they are subject to the law regardless of their nationality or colour, or is this yet another example of a self imposed victimisation complex. You should keep in mind that most crime is committed by locals on locals, (especially violent crime) shame the people of Ferguson couldn't see that before destroying their own town.
15:52.You make a serious allegation against Ezzard (actually I believe you are telling an outright lie) so my suggestion to you is this : Show us the proof or admit that you lied . Who did he call niggers ? Show the proof.
May I suggest caning as a much cheaper and more effective alternative. Those who have experienced caning in Singapore, Malayasia, etc. describe it as unbearable and "beyond" excruciating. Friday night caning sessions in Heroes Square would not only provide free entertainment but also an opportunity for the Caymanian community to catch up with people they may not have seen in years. "Oh, hey there's Shakur ready to have his backside massaged by the rattan sticks. Guess he ought to have listened to his mama and his teachers. Now, we're going to listen to him sing "Lord Jesus, save my A$$." Oh look, he's being joined by his good buddy DeAngelo. Are those tears in his eyes – I wonder if he still thinks he's all gangsta?" Two hits to the backside at an early age (12 years and up) would reduce criminal behaviour by 85% within a few years… And for the remaining 15% who needed further encouragement one could always up the dosage – eventually, they too would be cured of any antisocial behaviours. Unfortunately there is no political will for cheap and effective solutions. Instead, hundreds of new social workers, community healers, psychologists, psychiatrists and psychics will be hired with little or no effect. Coconutz for Premier will solve your crime problem in 1 year!!! You've already voted Nuts, you may as well vote Coconutz!
stricker punishment was needed from a long time ago! gt voter
Does this include Civil Servants and MLAS using thier Credit Cards more than three times for personal use!!!
Good idea however where are we going to house them? I would believe we would need bigger or more prisons. Also who's going to pay to keep these hoodlums in jail? And yes the pawn shops gotta go! Burglaries have sky rocketed since these types of shops set up on our shores. If for what ever reason they got to be here, then tax them just like the Banks, I believe banks licenses are $1m per annum. A good source of revenue for the government.
The police did inform the public that these pawn shop are dealing in stolen goods. They have the authority to shut them down , why dont they just do it?
Im sick and tired of pussies running this country. They are the most digusting paid servants of the people.
Easy solution: privatize the prison. Put it up for bid. It will prevent future escapes and make the system a money-making venture where cheap prison labor will both improve the economy and hopefully develop a work ethic for these thieves who think everything is free. Those who don't fear prison (thinking it's a palace where you can get cell phones and ganja) will be in for a big surprise. It will be a deterrent.
PRIVATIZE THE PRISON? Yup that'll work…NOT and will cost the government more because I can bet the company running the prison will want to charge the government more per prisoner and with the majority of police, prison and security officers being Jamaican that will be a thriving business for them to violate rights of citizens even more.
I'm willing to bid on detaining five or six from Fairbanks. I just have to replace my silverware with plastic knives and I'm good to go.
How would the private sector make a profit from such a prison? Should govt. pay them so that they can make a profit? How would that help govt. finances?
Government currently pays for all prisoners are northward…if it were privately owned that would have to bare the cost of running the prison..
Ummm…how will the private owners get paid?
I agree with Ezzard that the laws have to be amended, however, we could be a leader in this area as a country and change our laws to better suit the punishment to the crime. I don't agree with 2 strikes and then incarceration. I suggest that first offenders for lesser petty crimes be required to do a minimum of 8.5 hrs/day hard labor for one month with shackles and if necessary a ball and chain since our prisoners have a reputation for disappearing from Police custody. (Labor would include chopping the bush, mowing, trimming and cleaning the garbage along the road sides and at all public areas so these areas can always be kept looking neat, assist with grounds keeping and power wash and paint government buildings and landmarks and tourist attractions, make and maintain benches and picnic tables for public beaches and other public areas or benches could also be sponsored by stores in town or other areas to have them placed outside their venues. Cleaning all publicly used beaches and other areas island wide regardless of who owns them, doing maintenance on and around homes for elderly and other people who do not have the means to pay for labor, etc. This would be 5 days a week with no 2 consecutive "days off" and one 5 min water break each hour with a half hour for lunch. If the prison is crowded put smaller bunk beds in similar to what our seamen used to have to sleep in and put 8 to 10 of them in one cell and have them clean their own cells and wash their own clothes in a bucket every day. No TV or play time. For second time offenders and more serious crimes such as damage to property, driving without ins, registration, or license, dangerous driving, assault, the jail term is 6 months minimum under the exact same conditions. The next offence for either of the above is minimum 10 years and with the same conditions. They will either die long before 10 years is up or will have decided to never risk re-offending. For more serious crimes like rape, armed robbery, murder, attempted murder, greivious bodily harm, causing death or maiming by drunk driving etc.it should be a mandatory life sentence with hard labor as above for the entire life sentence for first offenders. This more or less guarantees there will not be any secondary offences. I am sure I could help spearhead such a program and find enough volunteers to do this so the Police and Prison Officers could get on with their duties and not have to babysit or risk losing the criminals. I am prettty sure this would make people think twice before they commit a crime because rigt now our criminals have it easier in jail than on the street. What do you think of this Ezzard?
This slave labour would steal jobs from honest folk who are willing to work.
Then law abiding citizens can find other jobs. There are plenty out there. The prisoners will be the ones to clean the public restrooms and the floors.
Can we also have a 2 or 3 terms and your out rule for MLA's
3 Terms and you are out of the LA. Clear out this dead wood with stale ideas and dinosaur mentalities.
Good idea Ezzard, but it's so funny to see how you're calling for the other MLA's to have your back on this, only to have you shoot down their ideas without a second thought when they need you to have their back.
I take it you only think your ideas are worth mentioning and worthy of being backed? These islands will not get any better if the so-called Leaders don't stop acting like a bunch of spoiled-brats and start working together for a change.
Voters, we need to apply a strike out rule to the MLA's too.
I agree with Ezzard here! I would only say that the same should apply to MLA's and all other Govt. employees as it relates to unethical, crrupt, illegal or incompetent activity. Without the usual gold plated retirement parachutes that is!
There should be a law in place that states that an MLA can be only re-elected 2 times. That is serving the country no more than 12 years. This should have been in our Constitution, but like always the document was not made for the people's democracy. The UK, Religious, and local politician interest shaped the document.
Bring it in & maybe people would think before doing careless & foolish things around here! gt voter
Chop Off Their Hands!
String em up I say. Manacles is too good for them!
Just make sure there is a 3 strike rule for every dirty politician abusing public monies too! You all should be the first to go!
Excellent idea. But should be maybe 10 years minimum.? I'm sick and tired of these morons spoiling life for the rest of us here. I want us to meaningfully spoil theirs for a change.
8 year minimum, 2 terms to serve the countryad move one, that is it.
In some countries they cut off their hands. I do not believe they have any repeat offenders.
As much as i would like to think it would be a deterrant, it certainly has not worked in the states where it is widely used
It is a big deterrent while they are locked up. That is the point. This is not just about hoping to change their habits somehow.
..BUT…you got lots of scum off the road didnt you ? so it is working !!
perhas not as deterrent but certainly as punishment !!
A sensible idea, so boys, put your differences aside and get this agreed…
How about 1 strike, a stern warning, and if it happens again, then you're out. Why give a pass and encourage 2 freebies??? Errrrr, I am sick of posting my thoughts on CNS, because of all the people in power who lead from behind, they never have a well thought out solution, they just wait until somebody else suggests the right idea, usually at a board meeting or faculty meeting, and then snatch it for themselves…LEADING FROM BEHIND.
I was thinking about buying land in that area, until I rented out a beautiful house up there only to have to constantly be on the lookout for burglars and trespassers, but the Cayman people up there know who is doing it and just get a kick out of their little darlings harassing foreigners. You will see an awful lot of for-sale sign in that area now.
I am currently building in that area, and my design plans include steel hurricane shutters that can be closed and locked while we are off Island. We will be also getting an Alarm and Security Cameras. The Electric Fence was denied by planning, but the place will be like a fortress when we're not there, I will most like even close it down when we go to sleep on Island.
Some people may think this is excessive, but we all have to admit that Cayman is no longer the safe haven it used to be. Don't get me wrong it's a great place, but just not the safe haven some people try to make it seem like.
Sorry I know thw truth hurts..
14:03 Please tell me what system you are going to use to shut hurricne shutters when you are off island. Is there a company here who does that? Is it via wifi? What company(s) are you using and how much does it cost? I want to do the same thing!
Sorry for the confusion I will have to shut them before I leave they will stay closed the whole time while I am off island.
Yes, please share, I am in the design phase…
The number of persistent offenders is not many and would not lead to overcrowding. Hence serious consideration should be given to the proposal.
How about a 3rd strike and you're out for MLAs too?
How about 3 strikes and you're out for MLAs? Do three things that are questionable or incompetent and you're gone, no pension and no eternally honorable title. I would support that!
Elections would have to be held twice a year if that were the case.
The same should apply for the immoral and unethical personal use of Government credit cards.
All the "3 strikes" policy has ever done is cause prison overcrowding. This won't work, and has proven to fail in preventing crime.
prison to full ? build more !! i guess YOU rather see scum in the streets instread behind bars !
Execution for all those repeat offenders is much less expensive and prevents any additional crimes by them. Try it and see if it makes a difference.
Mom?
Yes, darling…… What is it?
11:00.Perhaps you can volunteer to be the first in line just so that we can be sure that it will deter others.Afterall it is your idea,you should get the credit it deserves.
(CNS): The independent MLA for North Side is calling on his political colleagues to back him in a private members motion to impose a ‘3rd strike and you are out’ rule on robbers, MLAs and burglars" CNS, I think Ezzard missed out the MLAs!
Only Ezzard would propose an outdated, knee jerk law that has been a disaster elsewhere. Longer sentences for younger first time offenders is a much better idea. By the "third strike" money is wasted on locking up people at the end of their criminal careers.
Perhaps if he stopped defending his constituents that steal from our marine parks to feed their drug and drink habits we'd take him more seriously. But he maintains his isolationist, bigoted and blinkered ways, defending those Caymanian thieves despite the proof of criminality on a daily basis. He refers to them as 'fishermen' or 'my people', the decent people here on NS call them what they are, parasites.
10:37.Definitely not a local.So all locals would probably be seen as parasites by you.How about the fact that as soon as some foreigners buy land locally the first thing they do is destroy the vegetation, then they plant no trespassing signs and try to prevents from even fishingor swimming in the waters near their property.Some seem to believe that they bougt the sea along with the land.
Definitely am, and sick and tired of the useless parasites that make lives here on NS so difficult. What people do with their land is their business, if you don't want people to invest in Cayman then I'm sure there are many other Caribbean Islands that will welcome the millions of dollars that end up in the governments exchequer. After all, without a manufacturing industry or export market the reliance on financial services is becoming more unstable as the years pass. It will be those foreigners who invest in property, and in turn rent those properties to vacationing tourists, that will be the mainstay of the economy. Without a sensible hotel or resort building programme it is private ownership that keeps tourism thriving, and in turn subsidise those uneducated junkies and drunks who leech off the taxpayer.
So dumbass, I am a local but I'm not so blind that I cannot see the damage that these people are doing. No one wants to stop legitimate fishing or the lawful collection of marine life, no one wants to stop others from enjoying to ocean, but when some think they have a right to enter another's land to access the water or encroach on their privacy by failing to keep to accepted rules, then a line must be drawn.
In no other responsible country is it acceptable to encroach on another's property, historic rights are forfeited when the property is legitimately purchased and registered.
And in any case, what the hell has any of this got to do with Ezzard being an apologist for those parasites who break the law on a regular basis?
19:14. What are you going on about. How on earth did you make the connection between someone who makes a legitimate point about the parasites who burden our area with crime, drugs and alcohol, and individuals owning land?
Who are you to decide who is and who is not a 'local', and why do you think that non locals believe that all 'locals' are parasites? The stupidity of your thought process is breathtaking.
It would appear that your prejudice and bigoted views have blinded you to the obvious and revealed the nasty underbelly of envy that drives division and suspicion. The sad thing is that those parasites think the same as you, it's everyone else's fault, especially those foreigners who can afford to be robbed blind by drunks, junkies and the uneducated.
Well news flash, both locals and non Caymanian residents are sick and tired of this narrow minded attitude, we are all done with being ripped off by those who have had their own way for too long. The worm is turning and people are realising that the old days of paying through the nose, not questioning over inflated bills, accepting poor service and generally getting ripped off is coming to an end.
You see, it's not only the burglars who are parasites, it's also those who have milked hard working residents from all back grounds who are also guilty of parasitic behaviour. So if the cap fits, wear it!
Does that entitlement also extend to locals using the facilities such as the pool, water hose and collecting fruit without permission on private property?
If so, I probably should have known that it was part of the culture before hand and just not bought in the first place. Instead, I just ended up annoyed and sold up.
This is long over due. It is one law that im sure the Cayman Islands will benifit from.
3 strikes? it should be 1
Why allow 3 strikes? Lock them up 10 years for the first offence including a good public whipping in Heros Park. There is absolutely no reason to be burglarizing peoples homes and businesses.
Maybe the potential of losing fingers as punishment also?
The burglary rate is atrocious for a small place like Cayman.