CoP: Strong-arm tactics won’t solve bike trouble
An RCIPS officer tries to catch a biker
(CNS): The police commissioner has warned that strong-arm tactics and enforcement will not solve the growing problem on Grand Cayman of illegal and dangerous motorbike activity. Derek Byrne released a statement Thursday about the events of last Sunday and said that the goal to curb the problem was not just about the number of people arrested but about increasing the safety and reducing disruption on the roads by rogue riders. He said that not everyone who took part in the bike ride last Sunday rode dangerously or illegally, and not all bikes were unregistered or uninsured.
“While enforcement is imperative, the measure of the success of our efforts is not the number of arrests and prosecutions but the reduction and disruption of illegal activity and dangerous riding on the road,” the commissioner said.
In his statement, Byrne said that reducing dangerous driving by illegal bikers continues to be a priority for the RCIPS but he called on the wider community, and especially legal safe riders, to be part of the solution.
“What occurred last Sunday was a deplorable public spectacle by an exhibitionist rogue element within the larger law-abiding motorbiking community,” Byrne said. “These rogue bikers demonstrated that they have no regard for their safety or for the safety of anyone else. It has been established, however, that a whole range of people participated in the event, male and female, youths and adults, and not everyone rode dangerously or illegally, and not all bikes were unregistered or uninsured.”
Given what happened on Sunday, police took care to consider the risk of serious or even fatal injuries to the motorcyclists or innocent motorists or pedestrians, and as a result opted to try and disrupt the rogue riders rather than chasing them.
“The key outcome for the police and community is that there was no loss of life and no injuries. I accept that the RCIPS lost some ground on Sunday, but the community can be assured we are hard at work to tackle the problem,” he stated, adding that he has now established a task force, headed by DCP Kurt Walton, to find a long-term sustainable solution to the problem.
The new task force includes customs and immigration officers, officials from the Department of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing (DVDL), importers and other civilian stakeholders, and was also reaching out to members of the motorbiking community who want a safe a legal way to ride. Byrne said it would examine how enforcement and legislation could be enhanced to help prosecute those who insist on riding illegally.
“An investigation team has been formed and is gathering evidence from Sunday’s event in order to identify and arrest perpetrators and seize bikes,” Byrne said, adding that CCTV and other footage is still being analyzed. “Masked riders menacing other road users and flouting road laws is totally unacceptable, and the lack of an established track on island is no excuse for such behaviour.”
Byrne warned the community, however, that there is no easy fix and Cayman is not alone in dealing with the road menace.
“Countries in Europe and elsewhere have also grappled with illegal motorbike activity, and dangerous pursuits and strong-arm tactics have been used with very mixed results,” he said. “Enforcement that occurs will be firm, but proportionate and balanced, and done with consideration for public safety.”
But he said that enforcement alone would not solve this problem. “The only resolution will come about through partnership with other agencies and the community at large,” he said.
How do we know strong arm tactics wont work when they have never been tried. The current catch and release tactics are obviously not working. You know what they say about doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results… I appreciate the efforts against the gangs but how about some enforcement of the laws of everyday life.
If these grown men want a private playground for their toys they can pay for it. If they want to behave like they did before one more time, round them up, charge them with riot and conspiracy and crush each one of their silly toys.
The trouble with ignorance entitle driver and others as it goes along it picks up confidence! Let me lay it out for you, with your little suggestions that same scenario you described was similar to a situation a police officer did in West Bay during a chase and i can tell you the subsequent court judgement against the RCIPS was substantial just like its going to be when you do it, Your problem you are not going to have the resources of the state to back you and your little ignorant @$$ might just end where the state puts non law abiding dangerous idiots riding and driving vehicles. My view that officer should have been fired a long time ago just for causing this situation we had to suffer with today. I fully support Commissioner Byrne’s decision which will mitigate this situation and i applaud his very smart approach to resolving this dangerous situation on our roads. Many hypocrites on here making foolish and hateful suggestion will be the first to criticize the RCIPS .
I keep hearing “the youth of Cayman” tagline, yet the recidivist leaders of this street-driving rebellion are grown-ass men with kids at Montessori. They shouldn’t be meeting with Byrne or the Governor, or any Royal dignitaries. They should already be serving long jail sentences for ROC2016 and the outrageous Rum Point episode this summer. Should we have a private meeting with all the muggers and turtle poachers while we’re at it? Maybe a Sunday tea for all the deadbeat dads, misunderstood serial rapists, and child molesters?!?
I have to agree with you on this. If this was all innocent and they didn’t attack the blocks I might have agreed to meet with them but when they acted like criminals we should start treating them as such.
Look I have no problem with a group bike trek around the Island if it’s done orderly and with safety in mind. Bikers need realise other motorist are on the road also.
I have seen far too much stupidity from the bikers popping wheelies and driving in and out of traffic in a crazy fashion to give in to this group.
If the bikes are not street legal, they dont belong on our streets! Period! They just showing off doing wheelies anyway..
I wonder if these Politicians that are trying to strong-arm the Chief of Police for these outlaw bikers . If those Politicians got all of the bikers together and tried to educate them on the Laws and consequences of their behavior .
These young people need lots of good guidance and maybe the outcome of their future would be good .
Remember that the blind can’t lead the blind .
The kids need some good urgent help and they will be ok and there wouldn’t be any more problems with them .
If an off road park is developed for riders the RCIPS and the public in general need to adopt a ZERO tolerance for illegal unregistered dangerous bike foolishness on Cayman’s streets.
Zero tolerance should be applied even if these immature lawbreakers do not get a playground.
If the riders who were riding legal bikes with insurance choose to ride with thugs then they are willing to accept the label of “thug” by association.
I will not be slowly down or swerving whenever I see one of these stupid riders.
If they are hit by my vehicle and is seriously injured then I guess they knew the risks.
I will not be stopping either, instead I will call 911 and report and accident from which I have left the scene in fear of a mob retaliation.
So stupid riders, be warned!
“Thugs” ????? You sound like one yourself. Why do you not try to post something positive?
Nice warm cell in northward waiting for people like you, they break the laws and instead of being better than them you think you are entitled to stoop to their levels
In my books that makes you worse than them
Happy to follow in case there’s any you missed.
“In fear of a mob relation” lol…you sound like a real IDIOT! At least we know what you would do if you hit an innocent person on the road too.
The CoP needs to stop making excuses for his failures and the failures of those under his command. Get the problem under control or step aside and make room for someone who can.
Obviously not you as I can tell!
They have sand bag stun guns… That will pepper their asses. And you will then be able to detain the trouble makers.
Yes you blissful idiots on here suggesting draconian and heavy handed tactics and measures to deal with this situation. Why don’t you get out there and try it yourselves? Oppression and repression are the two shortest path and means to insurrection and civil strife. but of course some of you fools have been no where to experience such things, too comfortable and coward in your lonely neutral position in life. Never having to make real decisions but just like sheep loving being led and told when to graze and eat and then complaining a Cayman ritual and past time. That’s exactly why people like Mr Byrne are paid to come here in this leaderless society fill with big gut lazy sheep. To tell some exactly how it is, although i do believe we have some devious and malicious posters advocating and suggesting certain steps knowing fair well what the dire consequences and outcomes might very well be. Or it stands to benefit their own sick social or economic agenda. Well played Mr Byrne i am sure some in your ranks may not agree with your approach but then again look at their home countries and the level of lawlessness and extremely violent societies they are forced to live and die in.
“Oppression and repression”? By enforcing basic laws that protect the safety and well being of the community? Apologist, be off with you! These ruffians need a firm stick to deal with them. The true road to civil strife is to be soft with them and their lawless ilk.
The stunt bikers are annoying but not the end of the world and compared to the violence and theft problems going on it doesn’t even rate. Darwin sorts a few of these guys out on occasion, hopefully the others will learn from that and if not Darwin will catch up to them sooner or later if the police don’t do it first.
No meaningful law enforcement on the roads for too long has created the problem. Everyone can see with their own eyes that there is little chance of police help on the roads. (and everywhere else for that matter). If they don’t, or can’t step up then the inevitable thing that happens is law abiding persons will start to fight back and once that starts it will be as hard to stop as the criminal activity is now. If there is no action from the police soon then the road criminals will soon have a bigger problem as people try to run them down in self defense.
Geometric progression Jamaicanization.
#EverydayCaymankindRacism.
Not that I agree with the comment, but Jamaican is not a race. Just sayin.
The incorrect argument of the apologist. Legally race discrimination laws confirm that discrimination on the basis of national origin is race discrimination regardless of ethnicity issues.
And your legal argument is with a fantasy commenter evidently. I find the dictionary is an adequate source for definitions personally.
But since you brought up the law you seem confused on that account as well. Perhaps your are babbling about discrimination based on race *****or***** national origin.
And here we go again! The usual racism card once more.