A Smoke Free Cayman - Almost

Tobacco Law in Effect

(Grand Cayman - CITN) -


Cayman’s Tobacco Law, 2008 is in effect from today, Thursday, 31 December 2009.


Business owners are reminded that all legislated smoke-free areas must be clearly marked. These include enclosed bars, restaurants and pool halls, parks, any commercial transport, public toilets and public transportation terminals (e.g. the cruise terminals) and all shops and shopping centres.


Tobacco vendors must also display the necessary signs according to the law. Sample signs are available from the Public Health Department. For more information call 244-2621.

Armed Robbery - North Side

Bodden Town detectives are appealing for witnesses after a female cashier was robbed at gunpoint on Wednesday. At about 11.55 a.m. on Wednesday, 30 December 2009, a female cashier was working within the Nicho Norte liquor store in Frank Sound Road. At that time a masked man entered the store, presented what appeared to a firearm and demanded cash. The suspect then made off from the premises with a small amount of cash. No shots were fired and no one was injured as a result of the incident. The man is described as being approximately 5’11” in height with brown eyes and of skinny build. He was wearing a green and black mask which covered his head, a black top and blue pants. Detective Constable Alric Palmer is appealing for anyone who may have been in the area of the store around 11.55 a.m. on Wednesday and witnessed the robbery, or the suspect making off from the scene, to contact Bodden Town CID on 947-2220. Information can also be passed to Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS).

Police Recover Stolen Vehicles & Arrest Suspects

Posted Thu, Dec 31st 2009, 16:31
(Grand Cayman - CITN) -

Comment: Really!!! Where are you going to go fast enough on an island to get rid of two high value cars? And everyone knows the cars are going by slow boat to Jamaica!

One man and two juveniles have been arrested following a police operation in the West Bay area last night (30 December) which resulted in the recovery of two “high value” stolen vehicles according to police.

A police spokesperson says at about 2:40 a.m. on Wednesday, police received a report that two motor vehicles – a Nissan 350z convertible and a Nissan Murano - with a combined value of CI$70,000 had been stolen from Automotive Art on Shedden Road, George Town.

“About 5.00 p.m. that day officers from West Bay, CID and DTF raided several addresses in the West Bay area. During the operation both stolen cars, and various other items of stolen property including a number of tyres, were recovered by police.”

A 17-year-old man and two 16-year-old male juveniles have been arrested on suspicion of theft and burglary.

Police enquiries are ongoing.

Why Do Caymanian's Shirk Away from Work in the Tourist Sectors?

Faces of tourism

By: Cyril Perkins

Follow the comments here

I was in a very popular seaside bar on the other afternoon. I was served by a very pleasant young lady who spoke excellent English even though it was obviously not her first language. She told me that she was from Latvia and had only been on the island for two weeks.

This made me wonder how she had managed to get a work permit when there are a number of unemployed Caymanians perfectly capable of performing the unskilled and less than onerous duties that she has. Now that I come to think about it, I realise that every bar worker I have ever come across here, and there have been quite a few, has been an expat. They are American, Canadian, South African, Australian etc.

There is a similar situation in restaurants. I have never been served by a waiter or waitress who is not an expat. Austrians seem to dominate here, although there are many other Europeans. Never Caymanians.

Why are there no Caymanians?

This is an island that relies heavily on tourism and yet young Caymanians are not working in that industry. Certainly, working as a bartender or a waiter means starting at the bottom but there is experience to be gained that could be of benefit elsewhere and there is also the possibility of promotion. It must be a better prospect than unemployment.

I was talking to a restaurant owner recently about why he had no Caymanian staff. His response was interesting, instructive and depressing. He told me that he advertised a position and (as a long time resident and a status holder who is concerned about rising local unemployment levels) stipulated that only Caymanians should apply.

He received three applications; one from a young man and from two women whose ages ranged from 18 – 21. He interviewed them all. Then he made a difficult decision, as all three applicants were suitable. Later he phoned the successful candidate and told him that he could start the next day. The Caymanian applicant declined the offer. The reason, he told the restaurateur, was that he had not realised what the job involved when he applied and he did not want to work on Friday and Saturday evenings. That was when he went out with his friends. The other two gave the same response for the same reason when called to be offered the job.

Why they applied for the job in the first place is a question that I don’t have the answer to. Didn’t they realise that working in a restaurant was not a Monday to Friday, nine to five job? The restaurant owner has hired a Spaniard.

I am not going to attempt to draw any conclusions from this but I do find it ominous and deeply depressing.

2009 economy went from bad to worse

By Michael Klein In 2009 signs of a recession were visible across Cayman’s key economic indicators and employment figures. Data released in November by the Economics and Statistics Office showed that the Cayman Islands’ gross domestic product had contracted at an annualised rate of 7.1 per cent during the first six months of 2009. The semi–annual report of economic indicators projected an overall shrinking of the Cayman economy by 5.8 per cent for the full year amidst “recessionary conditions in source markets” that impact the domestic economy. A year earlier in 2008 Cayman’s economy had still delivered modest growth of 1.1 per cent, compared to an average GDP of between 4.4 and 6.5 per cent in previous years. The recession impacted all of Cayman’s industry sectors. In the retail segment merchandise imports fell by 13 per cent revealing lower demand and sales volume. The tourism industry experienced a fall of air arrivals by 13.3 per cent and 6.1 per cent lower cruise passenger numbers than in the first half of 2008. The construction industry which on the whole is strongly influenced by tourism activity saw a decline in the total value of building permits of 17 per cent. The financial services sector, which is highly dependent on mutual fund and company registrations, had to deal with a drop in mutual fund registrations. In September 2009 the number of funds had gradually increased to 9,838 from its low of 9,705 in the first quarter. Although numbers are expected to have slowly picked up in the fourth quarter, they will still be down from a record 10,291 in 2008. New company registrations declined by an unprecedented 46.2 per cent compared to figures for the first half year of 2008. Bank and trust company registrations fell by 3.9 per cent while stock exchange listings contracted by 16.1 per cent. Only the number of insurance licenses increased, by 1.9 per cent. In the real estate market, property transfers fell by 21 per cent in number and 43.3 per cent in value. All the negative development in the economy had a significant impact on the job market. Unemployment rates were forecast to increase for the third straight year, reaching 5.5 per cent in 2009, the highest unemployment rate in a decade. Between November 2008 and November 2009 work permits and government contracts for non–Caymanian workers declined by 12.4 per cent or 3303 permits down from 26,659 permit holders. In addition to the deteriorating global economy and its implications for the tourism and financial services industry, the reduction of the Caymanian labour force by several thousand workers in turn exacerbated the crisis for the local economy, as it significantly reduced the amount of money that was spent for example in the in the retail and real estate industry. Government workers accounted for one of the largest drops in employment for foreign work permit holders in the Cayman Islands over the past year. The number of government contracts alone dropped by 10 per cent in 2009. The largest reduction in the workforce took place in the construction industry, showing a decline of over 15 per cent. The number of carpenters on permits fell from 923 to 773 in that time, heavy equipment operator permits went from 248 to 199, masons dropped from 629 to 545 and skilled and unskilled labourer permits went from 1,536 to 1,185. The tourism and hospitality industry also saw employment numbers decline by more than 10 per cent. In the financial services industry the number of accountants on work permits fell by more than 16 per cent, while professional managers declined by over 11 per cent. While the immediate economic outlook is still gloomy, Cayman Islands Financial Secretary Ken Jefferson expects an economic recovery for the latter half of 2010.

No help in cop shooting

By Brent Fuller Four officers were in shot up car Four Royal Cayman Islands Police officers will be thanking their lucky stars this holiday season that they get to spend Christmas Day with their families. Less than a month ago, the officers were driving down Shedden Road early Saturday morning when bullets pierced their patrol vehicle through the back windshield, grazing one officer in the neck. That officer, a special constable with the police service, was treated for minor injuries and released. The other three inside the patrol vehicle were unhurt. That’s the good news. The bad news from the police perspective is that not one tip has been phoned into the Crime Stoppers operation about the 28 November shooting in George Town. “The shots fired at police were non–provoked and set up as if the officers were being ambushed,” Crime Stoppers Chairman Eric Bush said. “The action and intent was to kill the police officers who were on routine patrol.” “This was an act of cowardice.” In the days following reports about the police officer’s shooting, Crime Stoppers received pledges of up to $50,000 from the business community for anyone whose information led to the arrest and conviction of those involved. Crime Stoppers tips are kept strictly anonymous and are answered by call centres located in Florida, USA, and Canada. Mr. Bush said Crime Stoppers is concerned about the perceived lack of response in connection with the shooting and doesn’t simply want this issue to go away. He and other Crime Stoppers board members are wondering whether the organisation’s message is reaching its intended audience. The group even went so far this week as to seek advice from members of the local press on how best to garner the public’s cooperation in the most serious criminal cases like the police shooting. “There are people in this community who know who are involved…and where the guns are hidden,” Mr. Bush said. “I am hopeful that our community will show that they are against acts of violence and support the police by giving them the information needed.” Mr. Bush said Crime Stoppers will be exploring new ways of communicating with the public in 2010, including urging the police to release photographs and even video of suspects believed to be involved in criminal activity when it is available and appropriate to do so. He said the organisation would consider using some of the new social media such as Facebook and Twitter to help get its message out. In relation to the police officer’s shooting on 28 November, Mr. Bush said he hoped to receive Crime Stoppers board approval to increase the available reward. According to its operating rules, Crime Stoppers can only offer up to $1,000 for information in any one case – but additional donations from the private sector can up the ante considerably. In more than 100 years in Cayman, the police service has never lost an officer in the line of duty. Comment: No one has come forward to help Cayman police because Caymanian police officers are not respected. Period. To earn respect they have to give respect, and that corrupt department should be ashamed of themselves.

Men Accused of Murdering Estella Scott Roberts in Court

Posted Fri, Dec 18th 2009, 18:01
(Grand Cayman - CITN) -

Both men accused of murdering Estella Scott-Roberts in October last year now have full legal representation.

The men appeared before the Judge this morning. Larry Ricketts will be represented by Jamaican QC Delano Harrison and Junior Counsel Lee Freeman. Kirkland Henry will have Ian Bourne as lead counsel and Ben Tonner will be the junior.

Trouble finding senior counsel to represent the two accused men pushed back the date of the trial. However, the trial will start on 21 January 2010.

The men are expected back in court before that date though, to elect whether they want a trial by jury or judge alone. That election will happen on the 14 January.

Beach erosion, reef & fish decline cited as priority

Posted on Wed, 12/09/2009

(CNS): While world leaders are still convening in Copenhagen to decide how humanity can address the problem of climate change on a global scale, the local national climate change strategy workshop has come to a close. According to a release from government, at the end of the three day event, beach erosion, reef and fisheries decline, rising energy, food and water costs, and higher insurance premiums were cited as the issues requiring priority attention in Cayman’s climate change strategy, which was described as a “big leap forward” by the environment minister.

Addressing participants at the end of the workshop, Minister of Environment Mark Scotland said much more work needed to be done but Cayman that had “taken a big leap forward in arriving at a climate change plan that lists priorities as well as possible mitigation and adaptation strategies and policies.”

He warned, however, that many other problems are vying for people’s attention, and communicating the strategy to the public will be a key factor in obtaining feedback and acceptance.

“For me, one of the best ways we can get climate change on the national agenda is to focus on the myriad opportunities it presents to all sectors,” he said.

Some of those opportunities highlighted at the workshop include a regional branding initiative wherein Caribbean nations sign up to become carbon neutral tourism destinations, diversifying into a ‘green’ economy, and reducing living costs through alternative energy sources.

“None of us living here can claim that we will be able to escape the impacts of climate change, and so I hope that the final strategies will include practical targets to involve the entire population,” Scotland added.

Cayman’s strategic priorities were established by members of Cayman’s National Climate Change Working Group and sector specific public and private sector stakeholders

Climate Change issues affecting Cayman had been identified in January through previous stakeholder consultations and these issues were ranked at the workshop according to four different indicators of importance to prioritise them.

In addition to setting national priorities, participants also discussed possible policies to address these issues, as well as an outreach campaign to obtain public input before drafting a Climate Change Green Paper, early next year. This Green Paper will be used to formulate the Draft Climate Change Strategy.

The workshop was funded by the UK Department for International Development as part of the Enhancing Capacity for Adaptation to Climate Change in the Caribbean UK Overseas Territories (ECACC) Project. This project is managed by the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC).

Visiting experts were Dr. Neville Trotz, CCCCC science advisor; Judi Clarke, CCCCC public outreach specialist; George de Romilly, an environment law expert; and Ottis Joslyn, national coordinator of the Implementation of Adaptation Measures in Coastal Zones Project, also managed by CCCCC.

For more information on Cayman’s sustainable development initiatives go to http://www.doe.ky/about/sustainable-development-unit/

Time for government to get serious about recycling

Commentary: By Patrick Chester Today I did something on this Island I would never have done during my time in the UK, the US or Europe. I threw a tin can in the garbage. I shouldn’t feel bad about not recycling it though. No-one on Grand Cayman should. Because until there’s a government sponsored home recycling drive in place, there’s nothing we can do. I threw the tin away, off to a life on top of what could be Cayman’s highest point; the landfill mountain outside of George Town. I found myself asking, as well as the main garbage bin for household rubbish that can’t be recycled, where are the separate boxes for paper, for tins and glass and for plant waste? I know many do recycle, many do take care to turn off lights and many still preach lessons taught by their elders to never waste clothes and food. But even in this age of consumerism there’s no room for ignoring the mountain of garbage on this island. Put simply, there’s no more reason to throw away a tin can than there is to follow it with a few dollar notes in the waste basket too. A quick search through Cayman’s newspaper archives shows that the majority of businesses on the island are working hard to be environmentally responsible. Recycling initiatives in schools, in bars and the Global Green Caribbean’s initiative to recycle old telephone directories shows there’s a growing will amongst Cayman’s citizens and businesses to work on this. But recycling should start in the home. We all have a hand to play in keeping the island clean. By allowing the government to ignore household waste, the mountain of trash will only grow. Although responsibility ultimately falls to us to dispose of recyclable trash in the proper way, it’s the government which has to step in to ensure there’s a service available to guarantee household waste will be discarded properly. The attitude of government has to be that if people take care in what they throw away, it will then ensure it’s properly collected and recycled. In Europe, the EU has pushed forward for the last decade with its Landfill Directive, a policy requiring European governments to commit to find new ways of dealing with their household waste. This has included the large scale composting of biodegradable material, something which Grand Cayman would have a ready use for, even if only to provide high quality compost for parks and wildlife areas. On June 16 of this year, the ever-sensible Dave Schudel and Jack Benz gave some good pointers on what we as citizens can do to reduce the size of the landfill: “Don’t buy what you don’t need, buy items with less packaging, reuse what you can, give to charity rather than throw away and so on.” Dave and Jack questioned whether this would make a difference to the size of the landfill. It seems a start, but the landfill should be a last resort for garbage. Better to put a system in place to categorize different materials before it leaves the home or business. A recycling plant would be an expensive upfront cost but once in place that landfill will be full of only materials, which can’t be recycled. A composting site for vegetable and fruits would cost even less, and could be used as high quality soil feed. Is there a reason then why the government has so far offered only half-hearted gestures to update what is an archaic way to dispose of household waste, simply allowing it to fester in the heat? Possibly it’s the economic cost of recycling. In truth, we make little on the island. What would Cayman do with the recycled metals, plastics and paper if it couldn’t be reused for products manufactured on the island? In other countries it could be fed back into the manufacturing industry, so what could our government do with it? Is it too costly to ship it out to where it could be sold for reuse? Caybrew’s pledge to collect empty bottles makes sense. It must lower its operating costs to be able to reuse the glass, rather than import bottles from abroad. On the other hand, it makes no economic sense for Crown Imports to collect up its empty Corona bottles, as it would have to ship them back to the US for reuse. It’s easier for the importers to simply ignore island recycling, to the detriment of the island. So could it be living on an island is holding the government back from updating its garbage disposal system? If it is a cost issue, ignoring Mount Trashmore will continue to unless it’s forced to put a recycling process in place by the people. Critics will say that this is not the time to be worrying about introducing costly new measures to protect the environment, when the island economy is facing economic losses as part of the global downturn. But our environmental actions should stand firm against the cost to our pockets. Never should we allow our civic duty to be pushed aside by economic pressure. Never should we discard good ideas to maintain a status quo that’s incompatible with the environment, and soon to be the rest of the world. Recycling is the most immediate way we can ensure Grand Cayman retains its beauty, and set an example to other Caribbean islands. Urge the government to make a stronger case for recycling. The future isn’t landfills, dumping garbage on cargo boats or burning it, it’s working smarter to minimize waste. Tins, bottles and paper should be in a separate box outside the home or apartment. The government should organize a separate collection after general garbage is collected, and it should subsidize the collection. It can sell the recyclable material it collects. All over the world and as Dave and Jack said on cruise ships too, people are starting to smarten up to the idea of recycling. Let’s not let Grand Cayman fall by the wayside in this new age of austerity. About the Author: As a researcher and writer for a marketing business consultancy, Patrick Chester worked in writing positions between Grand Cayman and London for the past two years.

Next Level Nightclub Gets Reincarnated Into Another Club

The former site of Next Level nightclub will be refurbished, renamed and its new owner is hoping to have it re–opened by early to mid–December.

Workers remodel the inside of the former Next Level, which will open as Jet nightclub in mid–December. Photo: Brent Fuller

Island Pools company owner Joe DeFilippo confirmed Friday that he had purchased the nightclub business from former owner Harry Lalli who was never able to get the club going following a deadly shooting inside the premises on 10 September.

The liquor licence–holder, Christian Sorenson, will remain the licensee and building owner.

Mr. DeFilippo said the new club would be called ‘Jet’ and would be redesigned in attempts to bring a more upscale clientele to the establishment.

“We’re going to put a lot of time into making it very nice inside, and obviously safe,” he said.

The early morning of 10 September, 35–year–old Carlo Webster was shot in the head on the dance floor of the Next Level and another man was wounded by what police later said was either a bullet ricochet or errant gunfire.

Mr. DeFilippo, who owns O Bar and the Attic bar located on the opposite side of West Bay Road from the former Next Level site, said a significant security presence will be maintained at the new Jet club. He said it will not be unusual to see 10 or more security guards on site during busy evenings.

“On a busy night at O Bar we have that many,” Mr. DeFilippo said, adding that he also intended to have K–9 security eventually implemented at Jet nightclub.

Security costs have been steadily rising for Cayman’s nightclub owners, and a few clubs, including Pepper’s and Everglo (Pit Stop) have closed down within the past year or so partly due to violent incidents which have occurred around their premises.

“Our cost of security at O Bar has gone from $4,000 a month to $10,000 a month in the last two years alone because of the recent violence,” Mr. DeFilippo said.

Royal Cayman Islands Police and the Liquor Licensing Board have assisted in drafting new proposals for Cayman’s Liquor Licensing Law, but those plans have not come before the Legislative Assembly. Several nightclubs have adopted new security measures, including metal detectors and pat–down searches of patrons, at the request of the board.

No charges have been filed in connection with September’s shooting at Next Level. Police arrested three men within a day after the shooting, but all three were released without charges.

In any case, simply closing down a nightclub or bar that has been a problem spot can end up creating more problems than it solves.

Just ask RCIPS Inspector Richard Harford.

In an interview earlier this year, Inspector Harford confirmed that at least two shootings in central George Town occurred near areas where unlicensed street parties, commonly known in the Cayman Islands as ‘sessions’ were being held.

Whether those involved in the recent shootings were actually attending the street parties in both instances was not known, but Harford freely admits that the unlicensed events are a major headache.

“Some of these guys are persistent,” Harford says. “They (hold parties) every weekend, and that’s actually where all of the anti–social behaviours take place.”

Street parties also tend to move around to make it more difficult for police to find them.

“It’s the balloon effect,” said Mr. Harford. “You put pressure on one side and the other side blows up.”

Inspector Harford said police in George Town are making greater efforts now to control these illegal parties which generally happen between midnight and 6am on weekends.

Not only are those who host the parties, play music and sell alcohol acting illegally, but Mr. Harford said individuals who attend the sessions might also be arrested if police arrive.

Samson says he doesn’t believe the sessions are as big a problem as they were in the late 1990’s in Cayman. However, he says closing one club can just lead its patrons to go down the street to the next one.

This situation can be addressed by nightclub and bar owners, Samson says.

“What we have tried to do, and to a certain extent it was done, that if you’re banned from a particular nightclub – if there was a way we could network with each other so (that person) doesn’t show at somebody else’s doorstep,” Samson says.

DeFilippo also notes that under the current law, not all liquor licensees are treated equally. He points out that some bars are allowed to serve alcohol on Friday nights until 1.30am or 1.45am now. Nightclubs must stop serving at 2am, although they can remain open until 3am.

“There are bars now acting as clubs,” DeFilippo says. “They have 250-300 people and they don’t have to follow the laws of the clubs. Some of them have one security guard.”

Nightclub owners and tourism-based business have also urged government to allow nightclubs to remain open until at least 1am Sunday. Currently, the Cayman Islands Music and Dancing Law require those premises to shut down at midnight Sunday.

“From a standpoint of tourists coming to the Islands, it’s necessary,” he says. “I would invite anybody to come and stand there on a Saturday night when tourists are here for the first time and they have to leave at 12 o’clock. The amount of abuse we take…it’s ridiculous.”

In another related issue, a woman was mugged earlier this year in the parking lot across the street from the Waterfront restaurant.

The Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce has advocated that island-wide connectivity be established for CCTV cameras, so that those video feeds can be sent directly to police stations. Bar and club owners have also supported that proposal.

What happens outside nightclubs and bars has been another touchy issue, with club owners arguing they simply can’t police everything that happens in the street around their establishments.

“What has been our experience is that when there’s a major incident and we get hauled before the board and chastised...(police) show up for a while and then they slack off,” Samson says.

Clubs have asked police to maintain presence in their parking lots, particularly around closing time on the weekends to make sure those hanging around in the lots don’t get into scuffles after-hours. RCIPS officers have done so in the past as staffing levels and calls for service have allowed.

RCIPS Chief Superintendent Adrian Seales says bar and nightclub security is a top priority for the police.

“We’ve adopted a high-profile policing approach in the areas surrounding the bars and clubs,” Seales says, adding that the clubs themselves have taken a number of steps in the past 18 months to better secure their own premises.

“These include the use of metal detectors, stop and search operations, roadblocks and high visibility patrols at peak times.”

Seales also hinted at a new Cayman Islands “Bar Watch Programme” that will introduced in the beginning of 2010 by the RCIPS, but provided no further details.

Drug Dealer Dainian Cecil Henry could still be hiding out on Grand Cayman

RCIPS: Escapee could still be here

By Brent Fuller Despite his escape from custody nearly three weeks ago, Royal Cayman Islands Police believe convicted drug suspect Dainian Cecil Henry could still be hiding out on Grand Cayman. Dainian Cecil Henry “I believe that Henry is still on the Island,” RCIPS Chief Inspector Peter Kennett said. “He will be laying low and probably only coming out in darkness.” Henry, 28, escaped from custody at the George Town Police Station on 25 October after pushing down a woman holding a baby and running away. He was last spotted on Elgin Avenue. RCIPS officers searched two properties last week looking for Henry, but he was not located. “He will be getting desperate,” Mr. Kennett said. “He will probably try to change his identity by growing a beard.” Police have urged members of the public not to approach Henry, but to report sightings of him immediately. “He may well be trying to leave the Island by boat – perhaps bound for his native Jamaica,” Chief Inspector Kennett said. “I would not recommend trying to smuggle him out of the country as the marine forces both here and in Jamaica are on high alert. It is a serious offence to assist an offender which could well lead to imprisonment.” Henry was actually found guilty this week of being concerned in the possession of cocaine with intent to supply. He was not in court for the guilty verdict Tuesday. RCIPS officers also want Henry in connection with firearms–related offences. Jamaican and Caymanian authorities are not the only ones looking for Henry. Turks and Caicos police are also on alert, and have told the Caymanian Compass that their country’s immigration authorities have been notified about the situation in Cayman. Henry was a suspect at one time in the 2005 robbery and murder of a Turks and Caicos police constable. However, detectives said last month that he was interviewed and cleared in that case. The Jamaican national does have an ex–wife in Turks and officers there thought it might be possible he would attempt to go there. Henry is no stranger to the Cayman Islands court system, having been brought in previously on charges of being concerned in the importation of cocaine, threatening violence, resisting arrest and giving a false name. Henry has been in custody for matters related to firearms, according to police, and officers have asked the public not to approach him but to report any sightings of him immediately.

Police Commissioner David Baines said a group of 15 people were responsible for the majority of the recent gun crimes

In a frank address to the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce Wednesday afternoon, Police Commissioner David Baines said a group of 15 people were responsible for the majority of the recent gun crimes being committed in the Islands.

Mr. Baines said some of these individuals had previously been arrested and even charged in connection with shootings, but were let off either because of insufficient evidence or witnesses who were scared to come forward.

“At the moment we have 15 individuals who are spoiling our outlook for the future,” Mr. Baines told a group of about 100 Chamber members at the Grand Marriott Resort. “These 15 individuals are well–known to our officers. Regretfully, some of these individuals have walked free.”

Although he did not mention any specific names, Mr. Baines did make reference to the recent deadly shooting inside the Next Level nightclub. He also noted another individual had been featured in a recent police service press release seeking information that could lead to the apprehension of a firearms suspect.

The commissioner said some steps needed to be taken to reform not only how the Royal Cayman Islands Police handle criminal investigations, but in how the criminal justice system is administered.

Mr. Baines noted exploring the potential for more judge alone trials, as opposed to trial by jury, might be one option.

He said that some cases had come to court with “evidence in other jurisdictions that would have convicted people” but ultimately failed because jurors here were intimidated.

“When we have people in the judiciary who are fearful of retribution, how can we expect the public to come forward?” he asked the Chamber audience.

However, Mr. Baines also bluntly acknowledged the failings of police investigations at certain crime scenes, which he admitted sometimes led to embarrassing newspaper headlines. Part of the problem he said was that officers had not received the proper training in law enforcement techniques.

“We have not responded with the right skilled people at the right time,” he said.

Once that training is in place, the commissioner said he would like to devolve responsibility during crime scene response to the actual officers on the ground.

“Traditionally, it’s gone back to a hierarchy approach,” Mr. Baines said. “I’m looking to lose some of the rigidity in the hierarchy.”

Mr. Baines said he also planned to bring in law enforcement experts from the UK to assist RCIPS officers in criminal investigation and interviewing techniques. One of those individuals, Steve Brougham, arrived in Cayman this week.

Four charged in US to Cayman firearms smuggling caper

By Brent Fuller, brent@cfp.ky Sunday 20th September, 2009 Posted: 13:50 CIT (18:50 GMT) Four men, at least two of whom are from Cayman, have been charged in US federal court in connection with separate firearms–related incidents. According to federal court indictments obtained by the Caymanian Compass, three of the men are accused of conspiring to smuggle firearms into the Cayman Islands via a freight forwarder in Broward County, Florida. The fourth man is charged with illegally possessing a .40 calibre Glock semi–automatic pistol as a non–immigrant alien having been admitted to the United States. It was unclear from court records whether the two indictments had any connection to each other. Special Counsel to the US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Alicia Valle said the three men charged in the guns shipping case pleaded guilty in August. Their sentencing date is set for early November. According to federal court records, David Gilbert Lyons, Mitchell Anthony Brown, and Brittanio Jermie Walton each face five counts in the indictment alleging they conspired to ship firearms, attempted to export firearms, delivered firearms to a common carrier without notice, attempted to ship firearms with obliterated serial numbers, and possessed firearms with serial numbers obliterated. Federal court records indicated that Mr. Lyons travelled from Grand Cayman to Miami on 2 April to meet up with Mr. Walton and Mr. Brown. On 10 April, the charge alleges that the three drove to Pennsylvania to obtain firearms and returned to Miami about four days later. Attempting to cover up what they were shipping, the federal court indictment alleges that the three men went to a Home Depot store in Hialeah, Florida to buy light fixtures, ceiling fans, a hedge trimmer, and a window air conditioning unit. Two days later, court records charge that seven boxes containing the items bought at Home Depot were delivered to a freight forwarder in Port Everglades, Broward County, Florida. “All (the items) concealed firearms and ammunition,” the indictment stated. The indictment did not specify the amount of weapons and ammunition the three men were attempting to ship. The items were merely described as firearms, ammunition, and gun parts. The case falls under federal jurisdiction in the US because federal law states that no “defence articles or defence services” can be exported from the US to a foreign country without a US State Department licence. Four of the counts the three defendants face carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison. The other count, attempting to export firearms, carries a maximum 10–year term. The indictment does not mention who the weapons were shipped to in the Cayman Islands. However, firearms importation charges have been filed locally in connection with a case that involved the recovery of several imported handguns earlier this year. Ms Valle said the US Attorney’s Office in Miami did not have any public records pertaining to that case. Royal Cayman Islands Police have repeatedly refused to comment on any aspect of the gun transhipment investigation. Gun possession charge In the separate indictment, Marvin Matthew Watson has been charged with possessing a firearm in the US “which had been transported in interstate or foreign commerce” in violation of US law. According to court records, a jury trial in the case was due to start earlier this month. But the US attorney’s office could not provide details. If convicted, Mr. Watson could face up to ten years in US federal prison for possession of a firearm by a non–immigrant alien. Comment: This has been going on by various groups of Jamaicans and Caymanian youths for years! Even Caymanian fishermen are part of the smuggling.

Next Level Nightclub Shooting - A Murder Waiting to Happen Type Club

Next Level nightmare

By Brent Fuller One dead, one hurt in shooting One man died and another was hurt in a shooting that occurred inside the Next Level nightclub on West Bay Road early Thursday morning. Police officers investigate Thursday morning’s deadly double shooting at the Next Level night club. Photo: Brent Fuller Approximately 100 people were inside the club when shots rang out around 1.30am, according to witnesses there who have spoken to the Caymanian Compass. “The first shot sounded like someone dropped a bottle,” said one man who the Compass is not identifying in order to protect him from retaliation. “I saw the body drop and the second shot went off. “I’m still speechless; sleepless…I’ve never seen anyone get shot in front of me, especially not in Cayman.” The dead man, and intended victim was identified as Carlo Webster, a West Bay resident in his early to mid–30s. The second man, a bystander who hit in the stomach by gunfire, and was hospitalised and expected to recover. Those inside the club reported two or three gun shots being fired, and were unsure whether the second man was even a target of the shooting. No arrests had been reported in the killing as of press time Thursday. Mr. Webster’s death is the sixth homicide to occur in Cayman so far this year. Next level landlord and liquor license–holder Christian Sorenson said he was at the club until about 1.15am on Thursday and that prior to the shooting, everything had appeared normal. Wednesday nights at Next Level are generally well–attended by local college students, but the crowd thins out a bit in September when some of the clientele head back to school overseas. Mr. Sorenson said the Next Level was at about one–third capacity just before the shooting happened. “Everything looked normal, not really crowded…there was no sign that anything was wrong,” Mr. Sorenson said. Witnesses said some shoving and shouting occurred just before the shooting, but by that time Mr. Sorenson had left. The Next Level is well outfitted with security cameras, eight on the inside and four on the outside. Mr. Sorenson said the cameras record video for up to six hours at a time. Police are examining the videos. The club also employs security guards that search those entering at the front door using metal detector wands and full–body pat down techniques. “I’m stunned that someone would have done this in front of witnesses and cameras,” Mr. Sorenson said. “If they’re crazy enough to do this…I just don’t know.” Next Level owner Harry Lalli said he was seeking more information on the incident and was unable to make a statement by press time. Police Commissioner David Baines said the Next Level would be closed for the foreseeable future as it is a crime scene. “As part of our investigation we will look at issues related to the club and any identified failings will be reported to the Liquor Licensing Board,” Mr. Baines said. There have previously been crime problems around the Next Level and the adjacent parking lot, particularly near closing time in recent years. However, just last year liquor board chairman Mitchell Welds praised the establishment’s efforts in improving security. “Security looks pretty tight there,” Mr. Welds commented at a board meeting in September. Another board member said that Next Level was setting the example that other nightclubs on Grand Cayman should follow. RCIPS Chief Inspector Peter Kennett said police were urging witnesses to the crime to come forward, and said there were likely to be a fair few given the number of people at the club Thursday morning. “Did you see someone leaving the area or a car driving away? If you did please come forward,” Mr. Kennett said. Those with information were asked to call either George Town police station at 949–4222, the RCIPS anonymous voicemail service at 949–7777, or Crime Stoppers at 800–8477.

One man hurt during burglary

A man sustained injuries to his hand after he disturbed four men who had broken into the Lighthouse restaurant on Bodden Town Road last week.

The 34- year-old victim called the 911 Emergency Communications Centre at 2:40 am reporting that four men had broken into the building. Police responded to the scene and learnt from the victim that he had been working in the kitchen when he heard noises coming from the restaurant.

Upon entering the room he saw four masked men in the area of the cash register. He said he was hit on the arm with a crowbar and the men fled from the location.

The man did not require an ambulance but was advised to seek medical attention. A small amount of cash had been taken from the register and some items were missing from a showcase. The fire extinguisher had also been set off in the restaurant.

Three further burglaries occurred in the Eastern Districts overnight. Officers were called at 1:50 am by a woman reporting that her house in Paradise Villas on Sea View Road had been broken into. The woman said she had been woken by dogs barking and when she went downstairs she found the front door open. Officers responded and found the woman’s TV had been taken along with her handbag, some cash, some jewellery and a Nikon Coolpix digital camera. A second break-in at Paradise Villas was reported to police at 6:35 am.

A man reported that an X-Box game and a number of bottles of alcohol had been taken from his house overnight. It is thought the offenders gained entry to each apartment by prising the front doors open. Officers believe the dead bolts on the doors might not have been functioning properly and so would not have been as secure as they could be.

At 5:55 am police were alerted to the fourth break-in at Chester Watler’s heavy equipment on Bodden Town Road. The office of the company had been entered after a door was forced open. Some alcohol, a box of cigarettes and a small amount of cash has been confirmed as missing and an inventory is being carried out to see if anything else has been taken.

Detectives from Bodden Town are leading the investigations. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Joseph Wright at Bodden Town police station on 947-2220. Residents are reminded to do all they can to protect themselves from burglary, including locking all doors and windows, not leaving valuable items on display and using stoppers on windows and sliding doors so that even if the lock is broken entry cannot be gained easily.

Anyone with information about crime taking place in the Cayman Islands should contact their local police station or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS). All persons calling Crime Stoppers remain anonymous, and are eligible for a reward of up to $1,000, should their information lead to an arrest or recovery of property/drugs.

Cayman's ghetto area; "Rock Hole" residents raise concerns

Hon Mike Adam Minister of Community Affairs and Housing	Ellio Solomon George Town MLA

By Kevin Shereves
kevin@caymannetnews.com

Crime and unemployment were just some of the burning issues raised at the Rock Hole community meeting in George Town on Wednesday, 5 August.

Hon Mike Adam, Minister of Community Affairs and Housing, and Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Ellio Solomon, both members of the United Democratic Party (UDP), anchored the two-hour meeting.

Approximately 50 residents from the George Town constituency attended and discussed a range of topics affecting the community including safety and social issues in the area and the rising rate of crime.

Community officers from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) also attended the forum along with representatives from the newly formed Young United Democratic Party (YUDP).

Minister Adam encouraged cooperation and community fellowship among attendees.

“The UDP is not about one person, we are all about teamwork and a belief in one another. Our most solemn duty is to protect you, protect your families, protect your neighbours and lead this community in a responsible manner. Join us in putting the public interests ahead of the special interests, so everyone has a chance at the promise of Cayman,” he said.

“It’s a promise that says the market should reward drive and innovation, but that businesses should be responsible for creating Caymanian jobs, looking out for Caymanian workers, and playing by the rules. We are responsible for ourselves, we also rise or fall as one nation; the fundamental belief that I am my brother’s keeper; I am my sister’s keeper.”

Jonathan Piercy, (UDP) political candidate in the 20 May general election, also developed on the issue of unemployment among Caymanians.

“Caymanians need to have full access to available jobs. We have a record number of Caymanians who are currently unemployed and opportunities must be valuable in terms of compensation. There also needs to be a tectonic shift in the mindsets of the people,” he said.

“Because jobs are scarce, we are faced with a very competitive marketplace. Retraining and lifelong training is a concept that must be embraced and Caymanians must come first, second and third in their own country.”

Mr Adam urged the community to put their differences aside and work together as one. “Let’s restore the moral fibre of our society, to embrace values that ensure amongst other things; respect for human life, dignity and property,” he said.

“I am concerned about the youth of today, who are not receiving the proper care, love, discipline, and education that will prevent them from living their full potential in the future. These children that are at risk may turn in the wrong direction if not guided by us, the parents and the community on the right path.”

A concerned member from the community said: “There is a shortfall in Rock Hole, Swamp and Windsor Park areas. These neighborhoods have always received the short end of the scale and the frustration is being echoed throughout all these areas. There is a high percentage of single mothers throughout these communities and many of our young men are not achieving their full potential because many of them are unemployed and there is a sense of hopelessness and despair in their lives.”

The woman added: “If these matters are not addressed, then crime will continue to be a problem in our community. We need to focus on working together and meeting the needs of the people in our community, only then will Cayman be Cayman again. Please do not overlook these neighborhoods again because more and more is needed and we need to work towards enriching our communities that are most in need. Let’s do it.”

Another concerned citizen spoke about the need to rebuild the George Town Primary School, which received severe structural damage during Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

“We need George Town Primary School rebuilt and reopened. Our children are being bussed out to Prospect Primary School and this is unacceptable. George Town Primary School has been a pillar of our community for generations. Our parents fought for the school and now the community must fight for it today,” the citizen said.

One member of the audience expressed: “We need to create a trade school for people who are released from prison, because we do not want them to just be sitting around idle. We need to reintegrate them back into the society by getting a trade school in place so that they can learn a trade, earn a certificate, have their proper papers and be employable. That is the only way that they can be expected to have a future.”

George Town MLA Ellio Solomon said he was not surprised by the concerns raised at the meeting.

“I am not surprised to hear the feedback from the community because those were the same concerns that we were hearing before and during the election. Our Government is faced with a number of problems and we are implementing policies in relation to housing,” he said.

“There are over 700 aplications for affordable homes that we have inherited from the previous administration and it is important to us to ensure that we get those affordable homes built. It will put people back in their homes and will put contractors and tradespeople back to work.”

Another resident suggested that there was a lack of trust between the community and the RCIPS: “There is no trust and there is a lack of communication between law enforcement and the community.”

Adrian Seales, Superintendent and head of community policing, said: “The neighborhood forum is a very good initiative, because it is only through dialogue and discussion that we can achieve our objections.

We, the police, need the community just as much as the community needs us. This means that we must continue to work together in partnership. The RCIPS is committed to this neighborhood and we will increase police presence by implementing more community policing. Our role is service oriented and we are here to serve the community.”

Seven Years Later, man gets 12 years for 2002 rape of a tourist

A man who pleaded guilty to the 2002 rape of a visitor to the Cayman Islands has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Christopher Omar Samuels, who is 33 years old, appeared before the court on Friday, 26 June for sentencing.

Mr Samuels was charged by Detectives in January 2009, nearly seven years after the offence was committed, after DNA evidence linked him to the historic case.

The attack took place in the rest rooms of the Westin Casuarinas resort.

“This was a terrible attack which had a huge impact on the victim,” said Head of CID, Acting Chief Superintendent Marlon Bodden. “We hope that this sentence will help bring some closure to the victim and demonstrate our commitment to thoroughly investigating such heinous crimes.”

The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) is committed to bringing offenders before the court and will continue to examine old cases and utilise all available new technologies to assist in solving crimes, said an RCIPS press release.

A call to end he "Rollover' policy

Dr Frank McField Independent candidate for George Town

By Tad Stoner


Calling for socialised medicine, an end to the rollover policy, public subsidies for agriculture and immediate outreach to local youth, George Town independent candidate Dr Frank McField released his manifesto late last week.

He also called for an end to pension payments for foreign employees of small locally owned businesses, the recruitment of more Caymanians into both the police force and the ranks of teachers, and the diversification of Cayman’s tourism product to embrace growing markets in South America, Europe and China.

“At this particular moment, I am concentrating on social stability issues and the neglect of the social system,” Dr McField, who holds a PhD in philosophy from Germany’s University of Bremen, told Cayman Net News.

“It is because of a combination of social degeneration and crime,” he said. “It is not just poverty, not just a material poverty, but a philosophical poverty. There is a moral confusion and an inability to choose a value system.”

At 23 pages, the slick 9’x6’ booklet, titled “Preserving Our Common Sense Democracy: The 2009 Political Manifesto of McField, Dr Frank Swarres”, offers a thoughtful critique of the Caymanian social and political system, and calls for a series of changes.

Written during the course of a month, “one topic at a time”, Dr McField said, the manifesto builds on his previous 1996 platform called “Towards a Common Sense Democracy” that the candidate authored for his initial independent run for office.

In this “sequel”, Dr McField writes of the slow erosion of social values and his fears for the consequences, citing the October murder of community activist and women’s leader Estella Scott-Roberts as a touchstone.

“There can be no excuse for this crime even if it had taken place in the most backward and underdeveloped nation on this planet and we must now strive to understand this disconnect which now exists in our society,” he writes, blaming an increasing tendency to limit the “needs of many young people to discover and be accepted by a community of their peers” by arming police, closing nightclubs and banning music.

To “reform this culture of violence,” he says, “I hope the police will begin to analyse their weaknesses and strive for correction,” one of them being the “recruitment, training and retaining” of Caymanians in the Royal Cayman Islands Police, helping re-establish a sense of connection within communities.

Dr McField calls for a similar effort to recruit local teachers, citing the “social breakdown and violence” attributable, he says, “to the inability of the schooling and policing systems to function as social-control agencies.” Cayman should have a Teachers Training College, he says, and back-to-school programmes for adults.

He proposes that the Cayman Islands Hospital “be given a social mandate to deliver socialised medicine to the Caymanian people,” while suggesting that “political appointments of decision makers over heath workers are not healthy management.

“The Government is already providing free medical treatment to Caymanian children, civil servants, pensioners, indigents, prisoners, seamen and their widows. We may as well go all the way and preserve at least in the public medical sector some aspect of Caymanian traditional egalitarianism,” he writes.

Dr McField does not say, however, how we would pay for his proposals. Already, government spends $64 million annually, more than 10 percent of the budget, on medical care.

Calling for creation of a technical and vocational training school, Dr McField calls for creation of wider job opportunities. “There were so many young Caymanians without meaningful employment before the economic crisis, and there are even more today and many more for tomorrow,” he writes.

“Government must invest in new tourism concepts and agricultural and manufacturing strategies.

“The Cayman business section has been for too long too narrowly defined and as a result excludes too many Caymanians and prevents the further growth of our middle class,” he says.

At the same time, though, acknowledging the burden on small-business owners of providing health and pension benefits for foreigners who “are rolled over after seven years”, he says, “I can no longer support pension payments for foreign employees.”

Unlike others among the independents, however, Dr McField does not blame expatriates for the problem, pointing out that immigrants contribute to demand for goods and services and indirectly generate investment in schools, healthcare, roads and other infrastructure, frequently creating local jobs.

Small businesses, he says, suffer from the policy, whereby expatriates are forced to leave after seven years residence, as do white collar industries such as financial services.

“Every time a company loses a trusted employee, they also lose a certain amount of confidence clients may have had in their services. In many cases clients follow their trusted advisers to whatever jurisdiction they are next employed,” Dr McField writes.

“We must examine how careers of Cayman ‘knowledge workers’ can be protected without driving business overseas.”

Finally, he writes, diversification of the economy is vital. The tourist industry should explore new markets in Europe, South America and China, while government extends the Owen Roberts Airport runway and rekindles the “Go East” programme, spreading tourism revenues throughout the Island.

Agricultural subsidies should be used to encourage small gardens and provision grounds for fruits and vegetables, and for raising pork, poultry and fish, while the Cayman Islands Development Bank should become a source of low-finance lending to help create new industries.

“The Immigration Department needs to stay shy of labour politics and of deciding on economic strategies for small enterprises,” Dr McField writes, exhorting voters. “I honestly believe that we have more of a chance to survive if I, a caring leader, is elected to help lead in these serious times.”

Chief Justice to give evidence against suspended Grand Court Judge Priya Levers

Anthony Smellie Chief Justice Priya Levers Grand Court Judge Alexander Henderson Grand Court Judge Sir Andrew Leggatt Tribunal Chairman According to reliable sources, Chief Justice Anthony Smellie will be required to give evidence at the Judicial Tribunal appointed by H.E the Governor Stuart Jack to hear charges of “misbehaviour” against suspended Grand Court Judge Priya Levers. The same sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Cayman Net News that Mr Smellie has also been ordered to be cross-examined on his evidence. It is understood that the Chief Justice had initially resisted giving such evidence and/or being cross-examined but he has been overruled by the Tribunal Chairman, Sir Andrew Leggatt, a former Lord Justice of Appeal. It is also understood that the Chief Justice and other court staff will be represented at the Tribunal by senior counsel from London, instructed by Crown Counsel locally, and who, if last year’s Commission of Enquiry is any guide, may cross-examine other witnesses on the evidence they give. The notion that sitting judges are somehow exempt from interrogation was one of the issues that were indirectly raised in connection with the arrest in September last year of Grand Court Judge Alexander Henderson, after he had declined to be interviewed by the Governor’s Special Police Investigation Team in connection with alleged corruption within the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service. According to statements at the time, the judiciary and the Solicitor General were both of the view that it was inappropriate for Mr Henderson to be interviewed and questioned by police investigating a suspected offence. Notwithstanding Mr Henderson’s failure to provide a statement to the police when requested to do so, former Senior Investigating Officer Martin Bridger said, “You have my assurance that the decision to arrest Justice Alexander Henderson was not based on his refusal to give me a statement.” It subsequently came to light that Mr Bridger and his team had, in fact, acted upon the advice of London lawyer Martin Polaine, as to whether or not the evidence gave rise to a reasonable suspicion that Mr Henderson had committed the offence of misconduct in public office. There was sufficient evidence for such reasonable suspicion, concluded Mr Polaine, and so advised Mr Bridger and his team. The Tribunal looking into the allegations against Judge Levers is scheduled to start on Thursday 7 May at the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Hotel. Sitting on the Tribunal along with Sir Andrew Leggatt will be Privy Counselor and former Lord Justice of Appeal Sir Philip Otton and Chief Justice of Barbados Sir David Simmons. The Tribunal hearings were initially scheduled to last three weeks, which prompted some questions as to whether setting a time limit would unduly restrict Judge Levers’ defence. The likely duration must therefore be somewhat uncertain at this point. As reported by Cayman Net News, the Tribunal proceedings will be open to the public, reportedly at the insistence of the Chairman, Sir Andrew Leggatt, and Judge Levers’ defence team. The allegations against Judge Levers appear to centre on a number of complaints about inappropriate courtroom remarks, bias against parties involved in hearings and contributions to courthouse gossip. In addition, the complaints against her also extend to an accusation that she may have been the clandestine author of one or more letters to the editor of Cayman Net News published in the summer of 2007 that were critical of the Cayman Islands judiciary. The facts likely to be asserted by Judge Levers in her defence may well establish the truth of some or all of the allegations contained in the letters in question. Several requests by the Chief Justice to each of the recent series of Police Commissioners to investigate whether the publication of the letters brought the judiciary into disrepute or contempt were each reportedly rejected on the grounds that no such offence was disclosed on the face of the letters themselves. However, according to Judge Henderson, the same letters formed an element in his 24 September arrest. A former Cayman Net News employee, John Evans, an acknowledged acquaintance of Judge Henderson, admitted to entering the office of Cayman Net News publisher and editor in chief Desmond Seales for the purpose of looking for the originals of the letters in question following a conversation about them between Mr Evans and Mr Henderson, during which Mr Henderson had expressed “an interest” in the letters. Both Mr Seales and Mr Evans are expected to give evidence at the Tribunal and Net News also understands that former SIO Bridger will return to the Cayman Islands to testify.

Baines named as the new Commissioner of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS)

David Baines has been named as new Commissioner of the RCIPS

By Tad Stoner

In a surprise announcement on Tuesday afternoon, the Office of the Governor named Assistant Chief Constable of the Cheshire Constabulary, David Baines, as the new Commissioner of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS).

The announcement capped months of speculation that followed the Government’s January advertisement of the position, sparking predictions that Acting Commissioner of Police James Smith would gain appointment by virtue of experience in the position.

Mr Smith could not be reached for comment, but HE the Governor, Stuart Jack, praised Mr Smith, saying he had been of “tremendous benefit” to the Cayman Islands.

“Commissioner Smith has done an excellent job under very difficult circumstances,” the Governor said. “His professionalism and dedication to the task set for him, particularly in relation to Operations Tempura and Cealt, has been a tremendous benefit to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service and
the community.”

Successive police operations Tempura and Cealt are anti-corruption investigations involving police conduct. Tempura, led by the governor’s Special Police Investigation Team under Senior Investigating Officer Martin Bridger, started strongly in September 2007, but was stymied by controversy in 2008.

Operation Cealt, scheduled for a spring launch, remains in its infancy with an unclear leadership structure. Mr Smith had vowed to appoint a new team of independent investigators to replace Mr Bridger’s group.

Meanwhile, Mr Baines, 47, will take up his post on 1 June. He began his career in 1976, joining the Lancashire Constabulary as a police cadet at age 16. He spent five years in uniform patrol and support unit roles before joining the Criminal Investigation Division.

He remained a detective between 1982 and 1999, gaining promotions to divisional detective, major crime unit inspector, Special Branch and counter-terrorism duties, culminating in Chief Inspector.

He also spent three years in the National Crime Squad, the forerunner of the Serious Organised Crime Agency. As Branch Commander, responsible for three specialist teams comprising 75 detectives, he investigated international fraud, money laundering and corruption within the UK and Europe, focusing on Spain, Holland and Belgium.

In 1998, he attended the Wolfson Management Programme at Cambridge University, where he is currently completing a Master of Studies course in international relations.

In 2000, Mr Baines moved to the Greater Manchester Police as Chief Superintendent and head of corporate performance, developing community policing and reaching out to ethnic and inner-city communities in Oldham and Salford, often described as “deprived” and “challenging”.

After graduating at the top of his 2005 National Strategic Command Course for senior UK police officers, Mr Baines moved to the Cheshire Constabulary in January 2006 as Assistant Chief Constable, with additional training in firearms, public order and diversity. Working with KPMG accountants, he created “Quest”, a Home Office-recognised programme to improve efficiencies in
local police.

The 946-square-mile county of Cheshire, on the central northwest coast of the UK, boasts a population of nearly 1 million with 24 police stations and 2,200 officers, responsible for major, organised and economic crime, public order, firearms control and counter-terrorism. A new £1m helicopter is scheduled to operate around the clock.

In welcoming the new Police Commissioner, the Governor said, “I am looking forward to working with David Baines. I am confident that he has the skills and experience to see through the modernisation of the police service and meet the needs of this community.”

While in Cayman, Mr Baines will be joined by his wife Anne. The couple has three children, the youngest of whom is at university.

Beyond policing, Mr Baines lists his hobbies as military history, reading, running, scuba diving, travel and motorcycling.

New Police Probe to Begin

James Smith Acting Police Commissioner

Cayman Juice Comment: Ah, it never ends. Probes and investigations, reports, and accusations. Yet Caymanians never really find out the details of the corruption on the police force. Even worse no one stands trial for the corruption. They either get suspended with pay, or sent packing back to England.

By Tad Stoner


Top officials will soon be launching a second phase of an investigation into allegations of corruption, focusing specifically within the Cayman Islands Police Service, Acting Commissioner James Smith has said.

Named ‘Operation Cealt’, a Celtic word meaning ‘justice’, the new probe will focus on “a small number of allegations”, which nonetheless, he said, went beyond simple internal or administrative problems.

”If they were administrative I would not take such a serious view,” Mr Smith said at a media briefing on Tuesday afternoon, “but I do. These are serious allegations of criminal conduct. They are untested, however, and I want to be very careful. They require laborious investigation and I need to study them.

“Let me just say I am very proud of the people that have come forward, and it’s time to prove or disprove [the accusations]. Matters of corruption are most difficult to prove and it needs time, but when severe allegations are made, I need to get to the bottom.”

He indicated he was identifying trustworthy officers to move the probe forward.

“I have begun an inspection of the intelligence division so they can handle sensitive information and protect those who have come forward,” he said.

Meanwhile, officials have yet to make a decision as to who will lead that new probe.

The new investigation will be entirely separate from Operation Tempura, the almost 18-month-long inquiry into an unauthorised entry into offices at Cayman Net News by two of its employees in the summer of 2007, the possible complicity of top police commanders in the event and the 24 September arrest of Grand Court Judge Alexander Henderson.

Mr Smith told reporters on Tuesday that he was seeking individuals and groups in both Europe and Western Australia who could take charge of the new probe.

“The [appointment] decision will be made by me, based on a whole host of things,” Mr Smith said. “We are looking for the right people with the right skills at the right time for the right price. I’ve looked across Europe for an alternative service provider that can carry the investigation forward.

“I have my own confidential sources and know of other companies and people capable of this kind of work. I know a group in Western Australia with this kind of experience. I am trying to stay within jurisdictions that have English law.”

While he declined explicitly to rule out Senior Investigating Officer of Operation Tempura, Martin Bridger, for the post, he acknowledged that pressure from elected Ministers and the public had thrown the officer’s future into doubt. On 3 February, Cabinet formally declined to fund any further investigations headed by Mr Bridger, saying his conduct in the Henderson affair had tarnished his credibility.

“Call it what you want to, I will make the judgement on the chief investigator. The investigation should be headed by someone appropriate, capable of carrying on an inquiry and supported by skilled investigators. [The probe] will be apart from [independent of] the RCIP, but still include my senior staff.”

Mr Bridger, he said, would remain on the island: “He’ll finish up Operation Tempura, continuing the job he was employed to do.”

He left the door open, however, to Mr Bridger, a former colleague, and appeared to set aside at least some of the blanket criticism leveled at Operation Tempura and its team of investigators by Judge Sir Peter Cresswell, who overturned Mr Henderson’s search and arrest in two judicial reviews late last year.

“Of course he could,” Mr Smith said, asked if SIO Bridger might be appointed to head Operation Cealt. “People seem to forget the professionalism displayed up until the Henderson case. Martin Bridger and his team have done some extremely good work. If he were guilty of misconduct, it would be a serious matter. Mistakes were made, but I don’t like punishing people for mistakes.

“People learn by what they have done, and while some things could have been done differently, we are doing debriefings so people understand. The Cresswell decision was damning and there is no way around that, but we learn from these events,” he said. “We want to make sure we don’t repeat, going forward, some of these things.”

A report on Operation Tempura has been passed to HE, the Governor Stuart Jack, but, calling it “highly confidential and extremely sensitive”, Mr Smith said he had not given it to Cabinet or MLAs, although, he said, Ministers had supported ongoing investigations.

He did not elaborate on when Operation Cealt might start or Operation Tempura end, suggesting they would run a natural course.

“The job of the Commissioner of Police is very complex, and no man, no Minister and no government shall tell an officer of the law what to do, who to arrest or to engage in any activity,” Mr Smith said.

“The Cabinet knows [that] and they respect that position. I don’t know how they will react until they get my reaction on what to do, who will do it and how long it is going to take,” he said.

Police Arrest Suspected Drug Sellers

Police Arrest Suspected Drug Sellers
A man was arrested in North Side on Thursday, 15 January, and approximately 4 pounds of ganja was seized during an operation by Bodden Town Police and the Drugs Task Force (DTF). The RICPS said that the 29-year-old man was arrested at an address in Old Man Bay on suspicion of possession of ganja with intent to supply, and remained in police custody up until press time. The arrest comes after a number of others that were made in West Bay earlier last week. Over a two-day period (Wednesday into Thursday), two people, a male and female, were arrested for possession of ganja with intent to supply following an operation at an address on Watercourse Road. These two also remained in police custody up until press time. On Tuesday 13 January, West Bay officers arrested a 20-year-old man on suspicion of possession of ganja and consumption of a controlled drug. In a separate incident, a 56- year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of cocaine and consumption of a controlled drug. Both have been released on bail pending further investigations. “Tackling drug related crime is one of our top priorities,” said Detective Inspector Livingston Bailey of the Drugs Task Force. “We’re working hard to address the use and sale of illegal substances and anticipate more arrests over the coming weeks. In addition, the arrival of more vessels for our Marine Unit will assist greatly in intercepting illegal drugs destined for our country. Those involved in drugs should take this as a warning. If you haven’t been caught yet, it’s only a matter of time.” Anyone with information about criminal activity should contact their local police station or call Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS) to pass on information. All persons calling Crime Stoppers remain anonymous, and are eligible for a reward of up to $1000, should their information lead to an arrest or recovery of property and/or drugs.

Newer, faster patrol boats arrive

Two new vessels have arrived in the Cayman Islands boosting the capability of the joint Police, Customs and Immigration Marine Unit. New interceptor boat in action. Photo: RCIPS The two 38–foot fast interceptor vessels are the second and third additions to the fleet following the arrival of Cayman Defender in September and are part of a $7.7 million government investment into border protection. In total, four new vessels and a state of the art marine base to be built at the end of Hirst Road in Newlands to house customs, police and immigration officers are being added to enhance border patrols. The first step to launching the new boats in Cayman waters was taken on Monday, when Marine Unit officers began an intense one–week training course with Safe Boats International, the manufactures of the vessels. The training covered topics such as boat construction, engine installation and maintenance, electronic system management, hull repair and boat maintenance. “This specialist training will ensure that the vessels, and the Marine Unit, reach their full potential,” said Royal Cayman Islands Police Superintendent Mike Needham, who has led the Marine expansion project. “Once they are on the water, there is little doubt that they will have an immediate effect on drugs and firearms trafficking.” The fourth and final addition to the Marine Fleet, a 65–foot all purpose patrol boat is expected to arrive in Cayman in the coming weeks.

Timeshare owner sues Morritt’s Tortuga

A New York couple is suing Morritt’s Tortuga Club and Resort for a refund of their time–share payment claiming the resort company failed to build their holiday home.

Malte and Marlo Lorenz have filed a writ at the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, suing Morritt’s for nearly US$68,000.

Speaking from New York this week, Malte and Marlo Loren told the Caymanian Compass that their experience with Morritt’s had put them off returning to Cayman. “We fell in love with the place. We thought it would be a great place to come for Christmas every year and now it’s turned into a horrible mess. I don’t think we’ll be back.

“On that first trip, we had a ground–floor unit on the beach. That was nice. We have twin eight–year–olds, and it was a real easy location. That’s why we bought a unit on the ground floor on the beach… I would never have bought something on the fifth floor, it changes the whole dynamic of the vacation” Mr. Lorenz said.

He added: “I have had a timeshare in St. Martin and we’ve been going there every year for winter, so Cayman was quite a unique place to us. We had sliding glass doors on the beachfront, with white sand and were just 20 feet from the beach. That was the ideal.”

According to the writ, the couple has also been paying maintenance fees on the property since November 2006.

Malte and Marlo Lorenz, who own a successful New York–based textile company called Thro, say they arranged to use a timeshare property at Morritt’s through Global Resource Management, a promoter of timeshare properties in Florida in April 2006.

During their visit, they decided to buy their own one–bedroom timeshare property at the resort to use two weeks a year, an arrangement they later upgraded to a two–bedroom unit for use three weeks a year.

The writ stated that they entered into an agreement with Morritt Properties Cayman Ltd. to purchase a property to use two weeks a year and could take up occupancy in 2007. The unit cost US$18,410.25, which the couple paid on 8 May, 2006.

Two weeks later, they upgraded to a two–bedroom unit for an extra cost of US$12,090, and extended their agreement to add an extra week a year at an extra cost of US$27,662.

The writ states that the agreement they signed on 20 May included the clause: “A purchaser of an un–built unit, buying on a pre–construction basis, may terminate and cancel the contract, should the unit not be ready at the occupancy date specified in the purchase agreement. Under such circumstances, the purchaser would receive a full refund.”

When Mr. and Mrs. Lorenz showed up at the complex at the end of December 2007, they were told the unit was not ready to be occupied and were placed instead in a fifth–floor unit, an arrangement the family says was unsuitable for their eight–year–old twins.

According to the writ: “At all times, the plaintiffs’ owner statements, maintenance fee statements and special assessments did not disclose any delay in the construction of the plaintiffs’ unit nor the fact that it had not been built.”

The writ, filed by Cayman law firm Samson and McGrath, continued that resort representatives assured them orally when the agreement was signed that the apartment would be completed on schedule by December 2006.

It added: “To date, no date for completion of the unit has ever been given by the defendants.”

The couple was told in early January last year that the unit was still u–built and no dates for building or occupancy were provided, according to the writ. At that point, they asked for a full refund of their money.

They are suing Morritt Properties Cayman Ltd. and Morritt’s Tortuga Club and Resort Ltd. for a total of $67,957, plus costs and interest. That includes maintenance payments in November 2006 of $1,610 and in November 2007 of $2,410.

The resort company has filed a defense with the court.

The couple is among more than 10,000 owners at Morritt’s, which suffered $20 million worth of damage in Hurricane Ivan in September 2004. Two wooden buildings were razed following the storm, and one was rebuilt as a five–storey, concrete building, known as The Wembley.

Dutch Hoffman, general manager of Morritt’s, said he could not comment specifically on the lawsuit, but said the company had spent $25 million on the resort since Hurricane Ivan and had built units that were available to all owners.

“We have extra units in the Wembley building and in the meantime we are not selling those units. We have made that inventory available to owners,” he said, adding that almost all owners had bought on a right–to–use basis, rather than buying particular units to use during specific weeks.

He added that the company had intended to start rebuilding the second building in Autumn last year, but due to the credit crunch, Morritt’s had postponed the work.

“It’s all ready to go, we’re just waiting for the credit markets to soften a little bit,” he said.

Mr. Hoffman said the Lorenzs’ case was the first legal action of its kind against Morritt’s.

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Note: If you are interested in a Time-Share go here and do your homework first.