RCIPS’ holiday safety operations commence tomorrow, 4 December, with measures to amplify visible patrols and community support, along with increased road safety education and awareness campaigns supported by intensified road enforcement operations. The operations continue throughout the holiday season and into the New Year in an effort to ensure a safe holiday season for members of the public as they do their shopping, travel the roads and enjoy festivities.

“The purpose of our 2020 Holiday Safety Campaign focuses on ensuring we have great policing presence to provide reassurance to the public while also deterring crime, both within our communities and business locations, especially during this time of increased commercial activity and late opening hours,” said Brad Ebanks, Acting Superintendent of Uniform Operations. “Community Police officers will be conducting evening foot patrols across residential communities and commercial areas around the Cayman Islands to increase visibility and provide support to residents, business owners and shoppers through the Holiday Season. Our Traffic and Roads Policing Unit will be increasing its efforts with high visibility patrols and traffic checkpoints, with the aim of reducing traffic collisions and increasing road safety by cracking down on drunk driving, distracted driving, and speeding. Of course, these activities are a major focus of the RCIPS year-round, however, the festive period brings with it additional issues and challenges. I would ask all members of the public to work with the police, by simply following the law and behaving responsibly, as we continue to work to keep our communities safer.”

“As we enter the festive season, we know that social gatherings become more frequent and so the temptation to drink and drive increases,” said Inspector Dwayne Jones, head of the Traffic and Roads Policing Unit. “This year especially, we are fortunate to be able to celebrate the holidays in ways that persons in many other countries cannot. However, there is still no excuse to behave irresponsibly. If you will be consuming alcohol, then you must find an alternative to driving. If not, you will face the consequences.”

As in previous years, the RCIPS continues to support the National Drug Council in their annual Designated Driver, Purple Ribbon Pledge, and New Year’s Eve Purple Ribbon Bus Campaigns. The Designated Driver Campaign begins this week and continues throughout the holiday season. The campaign is an initiative among local restaurants, which offer to provide the designated driver of a party with complimentary soft drinks throughout the evening. Meanwhile, the Purple Ribbon Bus service provides free bus service on New Year’s Eve from 9:00 PM to 4:00 AM for all districts on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac. Additionally, the RCIPS encourages drivers to take the Purple Ribbon Pledge to not drink and drive over the holiday season. Visit the National Drug Council for more information.

RCIPS are also reminding the public to be especially cautious of financial crime, which tends to increase during the holiday season, as persons increase their online shopping and transactions using debit and credit cards. Always be sure to take appropriate precautions when engaging in these activities, and be sure to guard your financial information closely. More tips on financial crime prevention can be found on our website and on our social media channels.