Police to clamp down on weapons and crowds
(CNS): The RCIPS has issued a reminder to the public and bar owners that it is illegal to carry weapons at night in bars, clubs and places of entertainment and stressed that officers would be enforcing the law. Following a weekend in which police officers encountered hostile crowds, police also said they would be tackling “unlawful assemblies”. The RCIPS said that private security at bars and nightclubs should be aware of the law regarding weapons and report people who enter their premises armed with any kind of weapon.
Police learned, after the fact, that security personnel took ten knives from people entering just one popular bar on Friday night but had returned the weapons to the owners when they left.
“We do not intend to criticise security personnel, who might not be aware of the law,” said Inspector Lloyd Marriott, Acting Area Commander for George Town. “But we would also like to remind bar and nightclub owners that they have a positive duty under Section 26 of the Liquor License Law to notify police of drunk and disorderly persons and ask such people to leave the premises, without necessarily providing a reason.”
He also noted the gatherings that often occur in car parks around closing time at liquor licensed establishments.
“Section 68 of the Penal Code describes certain assemblies that can be unlawful, and we will be enforcing this as well in an effort to reduce the kinds of disturbances we have seen as of late,” Inspector Marriott said. “We all have a responsibility to ensure public safety, not just the police. Law-abiding people have a right to enjoy themselves safely.”
Section 81 of the Penal Code (2013 Revision) reads as follows:
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person who without any lawful excuse (the proof of which excuse shall be on such person) has or carries any restricted weapon, not being a prohibited weapon, by night –
(a) in a cinema, theatre or other place of public assembly;
(b) in a club, restaurant, recreation hall or bar;
(c) in a place of public entertainment of any kind or a place of general resort, admission to which is obtained by payment or to which the public have access;
(d) in or upon the car park, parking lot or precincts of a place referred to in paragraph (a), (b) or (c); or
(e) in or on a vehicle that is in or upon the car park, parking lot or precincts of a place referred to in paragraph (a), (b) or (c), commits an offence and is liable to a fine of five thousand dollars and to imprisonment for four years.
(2) If the restricted weapon is a machete or knife, no person shall be deemed to have committed an offence against this section if he shall prove that he had or was carrying such machete or knife for some lawful purpose for which such machete or knife was necessary.
The police noted that private security personnel at bars and nightclubs in particular should be aware of this section of the Penal Code, and notify the police when patrons enter such establishment armed with any kind of weapon. Police officers can determine whether an exemption exists for a person carrying a machete or knife under Subsection 2.
Golf clubs. A 7 Iron can be a fearsome weapon in the right hands.
The criminal element is missing a viable loophole under the Penal Code.
I’d prefer the 3 Iron 11:24, then again there is some deadly putters out there.
Well it looks like getting rid of Baines HAS made a difference, I wonder if the Governor and Legge are reconsidering their votes of confidence.
Good Cayman competence in leadership is showing up on the streets, now watch as the next buffoon the FCO and Governor puts in charge drags this impetus to a standstill.
We all know what they will say………… the public will not help them solve crime (blame the victim). Try leaving someone in charge who knows how to deal with the public in confidence.
I remember back some years the RCIP used to come walking thru the clubs nightly in groups of about 4 or 5.
Wow it took long enough.
Well its about time. The police should be outside the clubs at various times during the night not just at closing time. A visible police presence should be welcomed by the clubs.
Glad to hear these words, but will they translate into action? Gatherings of obnoxious, drunken louts are an unfortunate feature of urban British life, so those coppers from there will have plenty of experience, at least. I’m fully in support of the police as they continue to enforce our laws.
10 knives? Was there a cutlery convention in Cayman???
It is nice to have this reminder though, I was about to go out this evening tooled up, but I guess I needn’t bother now.
my advice…just don’t go where the locals frequent…..
Oh no..it is us expats that are “tooled up”. Afterall, we are responsible for all that ails Cayman.
Thats fine with us. Nothing worst than consuming a beer after a long day next to people who haven’t been introduced to deodorant, mate.
Wow, deoderant huh? Would you like a tooth brush and a mint for that super funk you come all the way here to spew?
all clubs should have a common strict door policy….
no shades, no caps, no sportswear, no trainers…..
time to eradicate the muppet gangster culture once and for all.
No kidding.
Leave them to it. Let them eradicate themselves either thru shooting, knives or speed