Manderson: Police focused on gun crime

| 08/03/2018 | 77 Comments
Acting Governor Franz Manderson, Cayman News Service

Acting Governor Franz Manderson

(CNS): As fears mount in the community over the recent increase in violent gun crime, Acting Governor Franz Manderson has asserted his confidence in the RCIPS and the police commissioner, who he said are focused on addressing the safety and security of the community. He pointed to the recent successful interdictions of ganja, cocaine, firearms and illegal immigrants by the RCIPS Joint Marine and Air Operations Units, but also urged the community to work with the police and come forward with what they know about the recent crimes. 

In a statement released Thursday evening, following criticism of the government on social media and some of the local radio call-in shows over the latest crime spike, Manderson said he had been following “the unfolding security situation closely”.

Manderson, who has taken over the top office until the new governor, Anwar Choudhury, arrives later this month and is now directly responsible for the police, said he was in frequent contact with Police Commissioner Derek Byrne and his team.

“I have every confidence that they will bring those responsible to justice swiftly,” he stated.

“The increase in violent gun crime in recent days is a top priority for government and the police,” Manderson said, as he sought to reassure the community following concerns that both the elected and administrative side of government are failing the people on the question of crime.

He described the RCIPS as dedicated and very professional, as he referred to the many successes the police have had in recent months, especially when it comes to preventing drugs, guns and illegal immigrants from landing.

“You will notice increased law enforcement activity in certain areas of the island and I would urge everyone to cooperate fully with your police service. The presence of firearms and drugs in any society is a real concern and one that we work tirelessly to tackle. The recent successful interdictions of ganja, cocaine, firearms and illegal immigrants by RCIPS teams, including the Joint Marine and Air Operations Units, which have been reported in the media, are testament to this focus,” the acting governor said.

“Projects to further strengthen border security are underway and we are working closely with colleagues from the UK and the region to ensure we employ the most appropriate resources and methods. However our main partner in tackling crime in all its forms remains the community,” Manderson stated, as he urged people to help the police.

“I encourage everyone to work with us because confronting crime can only be addressed effectively together,” he added.

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Category: Crime, Crime Prevention, Police

Comments (77)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Now you want to do something????? You balless puppet! How many had to die before you greedy for fame and money ruling pricks took a stand?! Give me a break! I bet if it happened to yout family you would have taken care of this matter a lomg time ago!!!

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  2. Crime Watcher says:

    ACTING governor!

    When the police devote as much time to real crime as they do to chasing unpaid parking tickets then we MIGHT get somewhere.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Where and when do RCIPS write parking tickets? That would be a step in the right direction in my opinion. Rarely see them ticketing anyone for anything.

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  3. Pocket Poleese says:

    That is because Alden is just as useless as them.

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  4. Anonymous says:

    Remember Alden promised 60% decrease in guns! We’re waiting!

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    • Anonymous says:

      Don’t wait too long, you might lose all your hair, teeth, eye-sight and common sense too!

      #WaitingInVain

  5. Mr tough on Crime says:

    To Crime Watch Cayman: I am a friend of some really brave people in the Marine Unit. i’d like to put your coward arse miles off Grand Cayman in 6-8 waves late at night with no lights and unknown criminals from a crime torn country trying to smuggle firearms and drugs into this relatively peaceful country. I bet your pants seat would be brown or your stomach would be empty from vomiting. It’s people like you that are all mouth and no use and so sit In the stands and watch the match as I am certain your tired and weak arse could not handle the pressure. Crime Watcher my arse, you’re nothing but a coward. Real men do something while the boys complain and do nothing. Get on board and help your island fight this scourge that is purely down to a complete break down in parenting and stop blaming the cops.

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    • philip says:

      Well said, unfortunately most people have no idea how policing works,espeically intelligence based work, very easy to criticise when you have no idea.

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      • Green ICE says:

        That’s the real problem with u bunch the previous officers let their dedication reflect in their work and it was not any little 300-400lbs bust making headlines or peons getting busted.Some of you probably want a trophy for just putting on you uniforms too i guess.

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      • Anonymous says:

        One can only assume that if it was intellectually based work, the proof would be evident.

        It’s not exactly the case in Cayman. For all the money at your disposal, all the resources…..million dollar helicopter. Traffic unit, marine unit, etc.

        Yet, we see nothing from it. Crime increasing daily there, children being near-kidnapped. It’s a joke there.

        24 miles of an island and crime is rampant. Wow.

    • Anonymous says:

      Well said. Too often we read crap on here from the arm chair warriors, who would never put themselves in that position. The Marine Unit do go out and do the best with the staffing and equipment they have, and most of the time deliver. Spend a 12 hour shift in the pitch black in a rolling sea, as you say real job, it’s not a game. This week as well, police firearms teams have been looking for someone that has already shot at them. That is brave. Many police officers have stepped up this past couple of weeks. BACK THEM!

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      • Anonymous says:

        The 33 thumbs down as I write this clearly reflect a motivated poster, not a popular vote. How so? I (and they) have a subscription to a proxy server system that allows me to change my apparent location to many places around the globe. I can also modify this result. Want to see thumbs ups match thumbs downs, currently 7 to 33. OK’ here goes!

        Truth

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    • Bigger on Crime rate says:

      Ya bo you sound like you have some real anger issues and pirate tendencies shall we make him walk the plank CapTain Eye EYe Sir! Oh give it rest you idiot before you blow a blood vessel you blowhard! Before anyone gets on board we need to find those drugs that went missing from Central Police Station lock up bo before anyone gets on board you need to deal with the very high level of incompetence ineptness and corruption that unfortunately still exist amongst your ranks. Especially in and around the functionally illiterate help you have hire from elsewhere. Bad parenting oh yes! do you mean these foreign half breeds who keep mixing with our home grown criminal element. Of course they are problem but yet we keep hitting immigration roadblocks everytime we try to deport them back a yard because of your very poor and inept police investigations which cannot hold up in any court of law. I guess that is the public fault too?? Summing this up old boy please for all our sake engage your little brain before running your big mouth ?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Crime watch didn’t like our comments. He has been clearing the cache and disliking multiple times and thinks, in the context of other likes or dislikes on this same thread that we won’t notice. You really cannot fix stupid. He is probably behind the anti Dart stuff too. You need to get a life man. Liking or disliking comments multiple times is kinda dumb, and obvious. If it’s so important for you to win, try writing something intelligent. If you can’t write intelligently, don’t bother.

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    • Rick says:

      Well said!

      We should also remind this negative bunch that it is when you stop noticing the small things that the big things get out of hand.

    • Shhhhhhhhhh. says:

      8.39 and tough on crime. Realistic and positive comments, well said, but what do you get? 52 negatives and 30 positives! That just about sums up the quality of CNS posts – dominated by nasty negativity! It is a very sad reflection on our society, that they prefer to tear down people rather than seek to support and motivate those who do good work for Cayman. VERY, VERY SAD! WHEN WILL THIS EVER GET BETTER?

  6. Anonymous says:

    The wanted man turned himself in – not police apprehension

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    • Rick says:

      Do you think he would have done it without pressure?

      You can be as bad as you want, but when police ;start kicking off all your friends and family doors at night with guns, the perspective kind of gets really clear.

  7. Anonymous says:

    But that Bla bla turned out to be true. The wanted man is in custody.

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  8. Anonymous says:

    police need to enforce all laws. end of story.

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  9. Anonymous says:

    jamaica jamaica janaica!

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  10. Anonymous says:

    Manderson is a good man and I hope that he will read this. He needs to urgently revisit the VERY bad policy decision of a few years that resulted in s.7 of the Conditional Release Law. That provision may have saved government a few dollars by letting violent offenders out of prison early, but at the cost of lives and numerous injuries to innocent people. S.7 in its current form does not protect our community. It makes no distinction between rapists, home invaders and other violent offenders and non-violent offenders. Violent offenders should only be let out early if it can be demonstrated that they pose no risk to the community. Persons who commit offences while on conditional release and repeat violent offenders should NEVER be released early. Period.

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    • Anonymous says:

      This is a result of the recent minority-driven liberal movement in Cayman who tout 21st century world standards and human rights (to do anything).

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      • Anonymous says:

        And your answer is no human rights? A dictatorship? Laws and leadership that would deny your basic right to even make stupid comments.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Same issue we’re facing in the states. Then we got people like this worrying about human rights of criminals. That’s how you end up in this kind of mess. Figure it out.

  11. Anonymous says:

    Yes Mr manderson … what did you think was going to happen when you all stood by and made Baines brain wash you all into dis-arming civilians. It was a ploy to keep their jobs and live a good life here. His answer to the crime – mostly gangs was “that he knew who they were, but he was going to leave them to kill themselves off”. Just imagine that and you all never said a peep. Something is dangerously wrong with you all.

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  12. Anonymous says:

    I would never speak to the Police… I value my life.
    Had a friend who gave a statement “in confidence” and you know where he is now?
    The statement wasn’t even “worth it” … but it gave the wrong people the wrong message so they did something about it.
    I have no confidence in our Police force. You want people to come forward, putting their lives on the line when you have so many holes and rats on your own team that it’s pointless. Stop asking for the public’s help and do your work!

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    • Anonymous says:

      …and stop intimidating the public from coming forward. Grow some.

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      • Syndicate says:

        Warning 3:47pm and he probably has good cause to do so and probably saving some one’s life .That what you should be working on bobo! because the police lack serious respect and confidence and that aint his responsibility that yours.

        • Anonymous says:

          The Police force here in Cayman has serious, serious issues! How can someone give a statement against someone and the person end up with a copy of the said statement?! HOW?! There’s just so many things that have gone wrong with my country that no one is speaking about.

  13. "Anonymousir" says:

    it took a bunch of comments on CNS about your stupid choice to worry about LGBT rights for you to make this choice.

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  14. Crime Watch Cayman says:

    All you Supporters of the police feel so confident in the police please leave your house open and your car keys in your cars in your driveway with your wallet on the front seat. Yeah that’s what i thought. Just because someone has a different view about the police from you he is and idiot. Tell you what this is not going to get any better by supporting their failure constantly and believing everything they tell you.Keep drinking the koolaid and swallowing their propaganda see where it gets you I suspect you diehards police state minions will go until you become a victim and the change you tune then. The problem now is everybody is now getting victimized by your system that as suppose to protect them

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    • Anonymous says:

      Dumb comment. Trusting the police and trusting your fellow man are two different things. Your kind of attitude just makes it worse. I am guessing you would not call the police if you saw something illegal going on? If so, you are the problem.

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    • Good over Evil says:

      That would be just plain stupid to do what you say. We have a responsibility to be responsible for our own lives and belongings. The police is not to blame for being a stupid human whom you are instructing people to be because you want to prove that being stupid has serious consequences. A right minded person would know that by having common sense.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Stop inciting stupidity.

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  15. No Chief says:

    Government focusing on stopping the illegal importation of firearms, ganja and cocaine, but at the same time selling marijuana commercially. My question is where does this lead? What is stopping the government from changing the law to sell cocaine for “medicinal” purposes? The answer.. nothing. Just food for thought.

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  16. Anonymous says:

    Why criminals always escape being chased? My guess RCIPS officers don’t know how to apprehend a fleeing suspect.

    Is there mandatory training for RCIPS members? Do they attend comprehensive tactical training courses where they learn the latest innovative, tested, and proven tactics from instructors? Annual competency tests?

    Does RCIPS has any international or the UK or USA accreditations?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Accreditation is meaningless if it doesn’t produce results. Up-to-date, comprehensive tactical training is common sense. We need a SWAT-type team and continuous personnel readiness training and the facilities for it.

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    • Anonymous says:

      These foreign police don’t know the bush roads like those they are chasing ,stop bring them in,

  17. PT 109 says:

    Not this foolishness yet again??? Not another pledge of even more money $$$$ yet again This Shit has got to stop Cayman, gone back now to the old mantle now of Blaming the public are we. How about reduce the amount of friggin no use foreigners we have piled up in our law enforcement arm of government slurping up at the trough. Its pretty obvious now that this FCO inspired policing intervention is clearly not working and has not for a very very long time. Constantly blaming and making every excuse under the sun for this enormous failure. My suspicion this has been the plan all along.

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  18. West bay Premier says:

    Someone tried to say that it was not Mr Manderson job today to address the crime issue , what is he doing today ? Said also that I shouldn’t be criiticing him Mr Manderson . What did he say in the above article ? If you ask me about public criticism of the Government , I would say that they don’t get enough that’s why we have the Government we do have today .

    I give anyone and everyone criticism when it due, I give them praise when they deserve it .

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    • West bay Premier says:

      Someone is so embarrassed today to know that Mr Manderson is the Acting Governor and can do anything that the Governor would have to do today, that he can’t even comment today

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  19. CX109 says:

    Yet another crime crisis and more money and resources will be spent same old foolishness. The reason why vessels are getting catch now is because smuggling is so prevalent now you simple cant avoid it. So many boats out on the water it is unavoidable. Spare us the waffling DG and all those believing in this Police Farce keeping drinking that very expensive glass of Kool Aid nearly 500 million now on Police & Law enforcement for 60,000 people to budget of a small country.

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  20. Anonymous says:

    Lol what a goof…about time they drop that shady lgbt propoganda from the UK and focus on actual local issues for the rich in Prospect. Phew!

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  21. James, James Bond says:

    Umm, yea….more b.s. You may be doing something about it, but not enough!

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  22. tetueliv345 says:

    Why can’t Mr Manderson serve as the Governor? Clearly he is suitable for the position since he is filling in until the new Governor arrives.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I’m sure the opportunity to demonstrate his skills as acting Gov will get him a promotion eventually.

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  23. Anonymous says:

    At least the acting gov says something unlike the premier who sits in his big house counting his dollars frightened to upset his few voters.
    Shame on you.

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  24. whatever says:

    Ah huh.

    Okay. If Border Security is so important then why is the MU’s ONLY QUALFIED engineer, who has a proven track record of keeping the boats and its equipment running, stil not doing the job he knows how to do.

    Why has he been reduced to sitting at a desk, doing nothing, while the boats are all broken and the eqyupment still aint working.

    The MU guys all are asking the same question.

    In fact from what i was told they even put him on leave again.

    Border Security is important you say. Dont look so to me. Your keeping one of your best workers in shackles when you should be using his skills.

    Sounds like more lip service to me. You sure you all dont also walk on Eastern Ave in the red light area at night too. Probably the best lip service you can buy.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Probably because he is not their only engineer. And the boats aren’t broken. But don’t let that get in the way of fake news

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      • Fake, Fake News. says:

        Sorry bobo but you seem to be spreading fake news.

        Actually he is the only QUALFIED and TRAINED engineer in the unit.

        And yes the boats and equipment are broken. Thats why for the past couple of years you have only been seeing one vessel used.

        The other two engineers are trying but lack the training or experience.

        So please get your information right. Dont try to big up your buddies.

        Ask the other MU officers, if you can.

        Fake News, yeah right. Sure…..

  25. Anonymous says:

    No one wants to get rid of that helicopter now then, anyone notice how much they do. Drug and gun boats, car and bike chases, injured and sick transfers from the Brac, and they were key to getting the recent case of jewellery robbers. One of the Islands hidden gems? Believe they are one of the smallest units in the RCIPS, but massive impact.

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  26. Anonymous says:

    I had to stop advertising on rooster because of follio!!

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  27. Anonymous says:

    Cayman we have what we have always wanted two Caymanians running our islands Manderson and McLaughlin. This is a time for us to come together and support our leaders and the police like we have never done before.

    Manderson and McLaughlin and the police have my full support as we tackle serious crime. I will not post rude comments I will support.

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  28. Anonymous says:

    8:19. I had to stop listening to rooster. The verbal garbage made me sick. Never heard so much hate!!

    I support the police!!

    7:14. Get help!!

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  29. Anonymous says:

    We might not like it but the acting Governor is right. The police has been making major arrests and taking drugs and guns off the streets. The police will find this killer!! Why not support the Government and the police.

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  30. Anonymous says:

    7:14. It’s those kind of comments that fuel criminal behavior. Shame on you!!!

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  31. Anonymous says:

    While we might not admit it the police has effectively dealt with ever major upsurge in crime. Remember 11 murders in 2011. The public was calling for tanks and swat teams roaming the streets. The police arrested the shooters and many are serving 30 years or more in prison. The result no gang shootings in 3 years.

    Manderson is right. We have to support the police and give them the info needed to stop these robberies.

    The wider issue is that our education system needs to stop spitting out young criminals.

    The courts are full northward is full. Is it really the police at fault ?

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    • Anonymous says:

      “The wider issue is that our education system needs to stop spitting out young criminals.” – disagree – especially if they are not getting job opportunities after graduating! What do you honestly think goes through the minds of our young when they see permits granted with ease for jobs they could do?

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      • Anonymous says:

        Why Alden cannot see the forest for the trees. He conveniently spews useless chatter about getting job seekers into jobs, but has allowed permits to escalate. It is time the jobless people take the matter a step further. Act now, or be left in the dolebrumbs hereafter.

      • Anonymous says:

        Your attitude is precisely the issue. They feel they deserve work rather than being willing to do that work. Proof that entitlement never works.

        • Anonymous says:

          I thought it was communism never works…but has evolved into..entitlement…slaves shouldn’t be entitled to wages…remeber that one too!

  32. Anonymous says:

    Thank you acting Governor. Let’s join together and support the police as they tackle gun and serious crime. Someone out there knows who these criminals are and where they are. Call crime stoppers and report. Let’s see how many people step up or complain.

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  33. Anonymous says:

    Blah blah blah blah blah blah…………. Translation: Same old, same old.

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  34. Deputy Guv’nor says:

    The short version of what the DG is saying

    “Blah blah blah I’m a nice guy and nice people are doing nice things. We’ll fix things soon come just like the fire service, RCIPS and crime. Until then sign up for my DG 5k. Have a nice day.

    PS – I wish Rooster would fire Woody & Elio because they made me look stupid.”

    Xoxo
    Franz

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    • Anonymous says:

      I just plain wish they’d fire them. Too many words.

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      • Anonymous says:

        The education system is to blame ? …for crying out loud ,their parents is to blame.i went to school to learn to read and write ,and I took my manners with me .you think I could dare speak to my teacher the way I hear these lil elmanly children.? Ye backside would tell for it .should never have taken the strap out of schools. And I have seen parents gone to school and ready to beat teachers . Put your children in order from home, he will take it wherever he go , cha,bout education dept .like adam with eve,finding others to blame .

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        • Anonymous says:

          While some (not all) parents may share some fault, who taught those parents to be proper parents? Some of this fault is due to the liberal movement: a parent cannot punish their child without getting into trouble these days. It’s a minefield now.

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