Further to our story in yesterday’s iNews Cayman (3) “RCIPS say drop in crime figures must not lead to complacency” we have now received the “ First Quarter Crime and Traffic Statistics for Comparative Period Second Quarter 2012 v. 2011” – see two attached documents.

The RCIPS figures confirm a whopping drop of 35% in robberies and a 3.6% drop in burglaries. With a further 5.98% drop in most serious crimes and an overall fall in crime by nearly 13.5% we can applaud the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS). We are moving in the right direction.

If you add that to there having been no gang shootings or any other killings in 2012, the RCIPS can rightly claim a pat on the back. In fact you have to go right back to over a year ago to September for the last murder victim when Asher McGaw was shot and killed by his friend in East End. Chakane Jamelle “CJ” Scott (19) was found guilty of the killing in June this year.

The RCIPS have rounded up many suspects as the years has progressed and Northward Prison has to cope with all the extra inmates.

However, as Chief Superintendent Kurt Walton said yesterday, “The drop in crime is certainly welcome news. However, this is no time to be complacent. In fact, we are constantly challenging ourselves about how we approach combating criminality in the Cayman Islands. We are well aware that Grand Cayman can be ‘deceptively quiet’ and as such we cannot afford to allow complacency to set in.”

“We have placed investigative and operational emphasis on those crimes that have had the most significant impact on the Cayman Islands,” he said, “and tackled them with focused and targeted operations; thus resulting in a dramatic reduction in serious crimes such as robberies and murders.

“We recognise and appreciate the support shown to us from the entire Cayman community in assisting us to keep the Cayman Islands safe and to maintain the tranquility and peacefulness these Islands are known for”.

We should all applaud that statement, keep vigilant ourselves, and pray the financial constraints on the RCIPS in the latest Budget don’t hinder the good work that has been accomplished.

The traffic statistics are generally encouraging with a huge 50% drop in fatal accidents and a 21% drop in the total traffic accidents. There was also a 20% drop in speeding offences.

The only two areas of concern was DUI that has increased by 9% and a staggering 43% increase in failing to wear seatbelts. Overall there was a 2% drop in traffic offences.

The pessimists will say stats prove nothing – it is how good the RCIPS are at their job – they probably haven’t been diligent enough. These are, of course, the same people who use the bad statistics to “have a go” at the police.

I still say “well done” RCIPS. Thank you for looking after us. It is indeed an almost thankless job.

Commissioner Baines – “you must take the credit”.