Joint Statement on Community Safety Governor Jane Owen and Premier André Ebanks
Premier Ebanks: Fellow Caymanians and residents, Her Excellency the Governor Jane Owen and I are united this afternoon in reassuring the public that the recent incidents of crime within our communities are being taken very seriously.
Given the importance of this matter, I called a meeting this morning inviting Police Commissioner Kurt Walton to brief both the Government and the Leader of the Opposition on the current situation and the steps being taken to address it.
Our Islands are built on law and order, manners and values. Acts of criminal behaviour, particularly those that threaten the safety of our residents, visitors and businesses are not reflective of our society and will not be tolerated.
Governor Owen: As Governor, I work very closely with Police Commissioner and his teams at RCIPS to prioritise our preventative and investigative work to reduce crime. I strongly believe that by working together, being vigilant, and utilising our skills in areas such as forensics and detection, we can reduce the sort of crimes we have seen in recent days and weeks and keep our Islands safe for residents and visitors alike.
That is why we are prioritising the resources we put into patrols over the Christmas period around all of our Islands and commercial premises.
I am grateful to Commissioner Walton and all of his staff both on the front line and in key roles behind the scenes who continue to put every effort into fighting crime.
Premier Ebanks: We need the cooperation of everyone to keep our Islands safe. Firstly, we urge the community to remain vigilant. Secondly, we encourage the public to support the police by reporting crimes promptly. Every moment counts - do not delay in reporting suspicious activities to 911 or the nearest police station.
We also want to remind you that the police discourage the wearing of non-medical masks, intended to conceal one’s identity, in public places.
Our Government is committed to working with the private sector and other NGOs to ensure our Islands remain a safe place to live and work, because when crime occurs it is not just a matter for the police alone. It concerns ever one of us.
So may God continue to bless you, bless your families and these Cayman Islands, and let us stand firm and act strongly to root this out and keep our islands safe for the 2025 Christmas period and a prosperous 2026.
