Owen promises hostile environment for criminals
(CNS): As Cayman faces a surge of gun-related violence and the police opened their fourth murder investigation of the year, the second in which the victim was shot multiple times, Governor Jane Owen told parliament Friday that she would work with the police to make Cayman a “hostile environment for
criminal activity”. In her Throne Speech ahead of the budget presentation, the UK’s representative offered her support to the new UPM’s spending plans for the coming two years and committed to managing crime risks and threats, which is part of her specific area of responsibility.
“This is an issue close to my heart — and my in-tray — as I carry out my constitutional responsibilities for security in our islands,” she told the House as she commended Commissioner Kurt Walton for what she said was his “open, collaborative and strategic approach” on the priorities they had agreed. “We will continue to make Cayman a hostile environment for criminal activity — achieving this through ‘feet on the ground’ in community policing, as well as a targeted response to specific incidents, especially those involving violence and firearms.”
She said the government would continue to build capability in investigation and forensics, as well as CCTV coverage and intelligence gathering. This year’s police budget is expected to exceed CI$53 million.
“We share a strong belief that effective policing can only be achieved if it includes strategies for prevention, rehabilitation and safeguarding of vulnerable groups and individuals,” she said. “That is why we will continue to steer the National Security Council to develop cross-cutting strategies… reaching out across government and working with education, health, family services and WORC teams to pre-empt
criminal activity and to provide a choice for people who might be standing at a crossroads in their life.”
On Friday, the RCIPS launched Operation Winter Guardian, the annual Christmas crackdown on crime and road safety, and the governor said she and the police were committed to a renewed focus on road safety and the strict enforcement of penalties for those who put others in danger.
“As we enter the party season, I would remind everyone that we can save lives and avoid a traumatic Christmas for many families if we all select a designated driver, and never get behind the steering wheel under the influence of drink or drugs or with a mobile phone in our hand,” she added.
In a relatively short address, Owen said the Cayman Islands had a high reputation among the UK’s Overseas Territories for prudent budget management, and she commended Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly “for her work to remain within the boundaries of the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility (FFR) agreed between Cayman and Britain, and for her efforts to achieve a balance of revenue raising and efficiencies, while enabling growth in priority areas including new technologies”.
After the governor’s speech, O’Connor-Connolly outlined the government’s goals and ambitions for the next two years, which included the largest-ever spending plan in the country’s history.
In the Throne Speech, Owen outlined only a few areas of spending, including education, which will be taking a significant chunk of the more than $2 billion in spending for 2024 and 2025. She described it as the “bedrock of growth and the hope of our young people” as she offered her support for the continued strengthening of schools, creating new opportunities in tech, apprenticeships and vocational choices, as well as providing affordable routes to university.
She noted that, as the population continues to grow and age, the government is exploring better ways to deliver healthcare and promote healthy lifestyles, another area that takes up a significant and increasing percentage of public spending every year.
But she also raised the issue of the environment, where the government does not appear to be investing anywhere near as much as it intends to invest in development and infrastructure. Owen noted that there was “quite a long list of projects on our horizon, including roads, housing, tourism assets and waste
management”, as she urged the government to “find the right balance between protecting our environment and keeping safe from hurricanes and flooding while responding to the needs of our citizens and our businesses”.
Noting the COP28 meeting in Dubai, she said King Charles had given the opening address at this 28th UN Climate Conference, where he had said the world is “dreadfully far off track” in its efforts to retain the goal of keeping global warming within the 1.5°C limit. He called on everyone — both public and private
sectors — to pool their efforts to get data, to use technology and to work constructively together in order to “keep hope alive”.
“I believe that we can do the same here in the Cayman Islands, building on our strong track record of marine parks and our determination to create a healthy, happy and beautiful environment which supports both lives and livelihoods for future generations to enjoy,” she said.
Owen told parliament and the people that the United Kingdom remains committed to supporting Cayman in its domestic endeavours, whether this be in transport planning, policing advice, crisis training, public health, biodiversity conservation or seabed mapping.
“It is never a one-way street. Our partnership is built on mutual benefit and respect and offers an often surprising source of inspiration and opportunities to learn and improve,” she said.
As she wrapped up her relatively short address, Owen added that effective governance was key to successful delivery, as she applauded the civil service for “their tireless work”. She said Deputy Governor Franz Manderson had recently introduced a refreshed strategy to further improve delivery, accountability, customer service and teamwork across government.
See the governor’s address below on CIGTV:
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Category: Politics
The U K needs direct rules
She obviously ain’t been out here at all and seen the hopelessness of this situation where you soon realize just how truly dangerous this place has become and the realization that this out their control and we are mere mounting minimal deterrents and efforts in thwarting this foreign locally run criminal Dynamic now entrenched here. We no longer even control the law enforcement process nor solution which now has an overseas component dictating criminal justices outcomes which effect our economic stability and national security. yet we still have political idiots and their foreign sponsors calling and pushing for population expansion which is exacerbating this growing crime situation.
Too many yard fouls about the place
Straight talk 1:34am that insatiable appetite many here have for cocaine and now opioids is driving a lot this bullshit on our streets. That coupled with poverty and injustices and corruption by our political elite and the so called untouchables whom our new leadership siblings are hanging out with at local high end restaurants.I hope that environment will become hostile to them too that fuel this criminal empire and garrison and drug and gun toting corners and they too will hopefully face criminal prosecution for their crimes and not left to or allowed to roam about unhindered in their Audi Tesla and Benz and high end Condos and gated communities. Yes Dear governor lets clean up our own houses before we start trying to cleanse others of their sins!
The horse has already sadly bolted. Many of our honourable members are very closely linked to this garrison/barrio based thuggery and have bought the attitude into caymanian politics. Corruption and criminal pervades at every level from the top down. Pinpointing why the street level violence is increasing so noticably recently isn’t difficult- more desperate new arrivals with little money, an opiod and recreational cocaine problem amongst the local young which will become an overt crisis relatively soon and ready access to firearms.
It’s past time to get serious, very serious about Drugs and Crime. Drugs and Crimes can easily ruin any Country with no return.Cayman let’s do something now. with like 3 strikes and you out. Third time for hard Drugs and arm robbery 30 years in prison no parole.Lets get it done ASAP.
Great idea!
How about 2 strikes = minimum 10 years no parole and 3 strikes = life in prison no parole.
Agree, however let us exclude ganja from that “drug” nomenclature.
Where do you propose we keep these idiots your excellency?
The prison is full and not fit for purpose.
The new 50 million dollar high school in da Brac would be a good place to keep them.
Or the perpetually empty building that sits next to the site of the new high school?
I dunno, they look pretty cozy in their parliamentary seats.
Hostile environment for criminals. Unless you are an MP. Hostile environment yet u can run for office as long as you never got a sentence over 12 months. Common assault and minor drug dealing perfectly acceptable.
This sounds good, but what about making things hostile for this bunch that are pretending to be our elected representatives? Let us have a new election before this UDP or whatever they call themselves bankrupt the country with all their pet projects and subsequent tax increases. If they are so popular, what do any of them have to fear of a fair election?
So when does that start? You’ve gotta squint pretty hard to see it. She literally signed-off on a reappointment to Cabinet, of a Minister and former Speaker of the House, a recent convicted criminal, disgraced royal honour forfeiture recipient, facing two new trials on additional serious charges. Both recorded smiling from ear to ear in the official commemoration photo. When is the start date on this tough on criminals narrative? We are curious.
Promises promises, sounds like she just promised us a miracle. It alright madam Gov. don’t worry, but you’d be well advised to build your compound walls a bit higher and top them with razor wire. The real $hit hasn’t hit the fan yet, but you might just be packing back to Blighty when it does😉
She’s still new to this place!
The violent crimes occurring on this little island is a national embarrassment. The crime situation should be given TOP PRIORITY NOW! We are losing our charm, losing our sense of safety and losing our sense of community as a result of losing our sense of trust for our fellow residents. Our country is becoming a place where women don’t feel safe to go out alone and people are afraid to frequent the same local bars and restaurants that they once did. Is that what we want?? Fix this now. Please!!
Like a parrot she merely repeats what she is told. However modus operandi with government and governor seems to be all mouth, no action.
The RCIPS annual budget vs performance ratio is the real crime.
Dear Governor Owen
If you want to make Cayman a “hostile environment for
criminal activity”, make a start with the current Gowermint.
“make Cayman a “hostile environment for criminal activity”
Is she going to investigate all of the law-breaking, corruption, bribery, lying and cheating our of elected representatives then?
I really miss Anwar Choudhury. He was the only governor who told it how it is, and appeared to have any balls to put all of the islands ills to right.
But I guess he rocked the boat too hard and our politicians got rid of him so they could continue gorging themselves at the trough of our islands income and resources.
Now all we hear is the usual platitudes and slap on the back for the very people who are putting us all to ruin.
It’s hard to know where to begin, really. What a depressingly complacent load of old tosh.
Oh Lord ! Not worried now creating a hostile environment for criminals I hope that starts in the political arena of you Madam Governor handing out political mandates to Convicted political figures and putting a stop to flagrant and obscene corruption in our civil service and Government Amen !
yawn….its all just waffle…
if she cared, she would not be photographed smiling beside a convicted woman beater….
Good speech!
According to the RCIPS community leaflets, it’s our crime-friendly judiciary and prison managers that are releasing dangerous recidivist career criminals back into the public before time served, trials, sentencing, including bailing bail violators, and foreign flight risks. How are the public and RCIPS supposed to remedy crime-friendly decision-making by other entrusted protection agencies not yet held responsible? Of all the hierarchy, the Governor is supposed to have the greatest understanding of where public menace truly originates, and by these comments we are left wondering.
All criminals? Like drug dealers and sexual predators too? Or just some select criminals?
Direct rule is the only answer to the out of control crime here.