Cayman joins regional anti-terrorist security plan
CIG officials at CARICOM Counter-Terrorism Conference: Acting Deputy Chief Immigration Officer, Tamara Reid-Vernon, Deputy Collector of Customs Border Protection, Jeff Jackson and RCIPS Detective Superintendent Peter Lansdown
(CNS): The Cayman Islands took part in a CARICOM-EU conference earlier this month aimed at developing a Counter-Terrorism Strategy for the region. Michael Ebanks, the chief officer at the home affairs ministry, led the local delegation of law enforcement officials, where a joint strategy to guide the region’s efforts to address terrorism and violent extremism was finalised to respond effectively to attacks and promote a culture of resilience.
“At the heart of counter-terrorism is cooperation, and in that regard the conference was a brilliant display of collective action, coordination, and leadership,” Ebanks said. “We are fortunate that officials from various enforcement agencies in Cayman attended the conference because it takes multiple agencies to approach this issue and identify our plan as a country going forward.”
Premier Alden McLaughlin, who is minister for immigration and previously held the home affairs portfolio, said the threat of terrorism and violent extremism is global in scope and every country has a responsibility to tackle it.
“The development of the CARICOM Counter-Terrorism Strategy is crucial for this region as it can be used as a road map identifying how the region should address the issue. Given the transnational nature of the threat it is clear that a focus must be placed on developing multilateral solutions,” he added.
The Cayman Islands delegation included officials from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS), Immigration Border Control, Customs Department and the Prison Service (HMCIPS). The work included how to preventing violent extremism; denying terrorists the means and opportunity to carry out their activities; disrupting extremist and terrorist activities and movements in CARICOM states; improving preparedness for terrorist attacks; and responding effectively to terrorist attacks and promoting a culture of resilience.
The overriding objective of the CARICOM Counter-Terrorism Strategy is to support national, regional, and international counter-terrorism efforts in advancing security and public safety.
Officials at the conference included Ministry of Home Affairs Acting Deputy Chief Officer, Michael Ebanks; Director of Prison Service, Neil Lavis; RCIPS Detective Sergeant Leonel Riverol; Acting Deputy Chief Immigration Officer, Tamara Reid-Vernon; Deputy Collector of Customs Border Protection, Jeff Jackson; and RCIPS Detective Superintendent Peter Lansdown.
Category: Crime, Crime Prevention
In the big picture I can understand why the government are sending participants to anti terrorsism seminars. However, on the micro level, if they are unable to reduced gang related crimes, home invasions, burglaries, border control with illegal aliens, drugs and weapons, how can they tackle a group like ISIS?
Complacency is exactly what international terrorists desire. Never say that ISIS (or any other international terrorist organization) would never attack Cayman. While it is perhaps unlikely (at this time), we are exactly the type of “soft target” that terrorists seek. Remember, the Cayman Islands may not be their target but UK and US interests certainly are, and everyday there are a large number of US and UK targets in Cayman, in the form of aircraft and cruise ships, and their respective passengers. Unless you understand how terrorists think, never say never.
Who wrote this?, no mention of where the conference was held!.Far better to organise a conference on gun crime, as I seriously doubt that ISIS will be targeting the Cayman Islands.
Our newly-appointed Governor to commence next year, was once targeted by jihadist militants years ago. Sure pray that they won’t think about following him here! Our “security” forces can’t even stop canoes invading our shores loaded with guns and drugs! Nor do they catch them all. No doubt the new Governor, with his extensive experience, could assist greatly in the process of creating a Coast Guard and appropriate radar systems to detect and stop unwelcome “visitors”.
Don’t say that ISIS wouldn’t target Cayman islands. ISIS is a terrorist organization that believes in killing as many people as they can and they don’t care where it is as long as they can do it.
I am very happy to see that the Government is working on a counter terrorism plan. I hope that they include other crimes in that planning.
ISIS sending someone to Cayman to blow up our tourists is highly unlikely. There are far easier targets in London, Paris and New York and much less exposure for the terrorist.
I note with concern that no airport or aviation officials were included.
Love these CIG titles. Temporary Acting Assistant Deputy Chief.
“Anonymous” – heck of a title that is.
Where was this.Have they not heard of video calling