I have lived here thirty years. 44% of my life. If I am appalled that a serving policeman’s house in West Bay was shot up in the early hours of last Sunday (22) this must be absolutely shocking and beyond comprehension to Caymanians who were born and bred here many years ago. In all my time of living in various towns in England with populations far in excess of Grand Cayman shooting up a home of a policeman never ever happened. Shooting at policeman’s houses happened in Northern Ireland mainly during the IRA (Irish Republican Army) troubles (1922-1969). To think this could happen here?

Our publisher, Joan Wilson (nee Watler), is the daughter of the late Major Joseph Rodriguez Watler who many Caymanians will know was Chief of Police here for 33 years and died in April 1965 at the age of 85. I make no apologies for repeating some passages of her passionate 2011 Christmas message:

“And look what has happened to our lovely Cayman Islands. So many years we have been a peaceful loving, kind and friendly people  – a place where we could wander or visit without fear. Now for some reason we have to be so careful to whom we speak or visit for fear of being assaulted or investigated. We were used to walking and visiting any and everywhere without fear day and night. Things and people have changed a lot in the past few years. Personally I have no real fear of people – not yet for I am my Father’s daughter and I look on the good side of people and I offer help where help is needed and this goes a long way. Crime, despite the statistics that do not tell the real story, is rising and we have been so conditioned to it over this year it doesn’t surprise us any more. And robberies with guns! Something we never used to hear about – retaliation killings? Is this really Cayman? Is this the country where I was born? My ancestors, the Boddens and Watlers were the first settlers here. A lot of them made this Country what it is, a wonderful place to live and call home. I almost want to cry when I see what is happening.” She finished her message with, “I love Cayman, my home and family and I love you all.”

Is this really Cayman? Is this the country where I was born?

You may not like our present police force. You may think they are incompetent. You may blame them for the increase in the major crimes. However, can you imagine living here without this police force? The one I have criticised, too. Every member of the RCIPS are sworn to defend us. Yes, all of us. EVEN THE CRIMINALS WHO ARE ATTACKED BY OTHER GANG MEMBERS. WITH THEIR LIVES!

The RCIPS are appealing for “anyone who was in the area at the relevant time on Sunday morning and saw anyone in or around the area, or heard any gunfire, is asked to contact West Bay CID on 949-3999, the RCIPS Tip-line 949-7777 or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS).”

Even the bloggers are shocked at this and all of them say something must be done. Most don’t offer any solution when the answer is simple. Anyone with even a scrap of information MUST COME FORWARD. One blogger said, “Cayman has lost its innocence”. How right he is. Most bloggers blame the police, the legal system including of all persons the Chief Justice. How absurd. The solution is in our hands. This is an island for heavens sake. A small island. We are surrounded by sea. I used to joke that if I were unfaithful to my wife she would know before I actually committed the adulterous deed. Are we really going to sit back, do nothing and say nothing? How many innocent people, our youth, our children and even our babes in arms, are going to lose their lives from the scum that live crawling in their nests of sewage plotting their next target. They have contempt for you and me and they have now even more contempt for the very people who are our protectors.

When it comes to crimes against our police we must support the RCIPS. We must support our Commissioner. Our Chief Justice. Our Governor. Our ministers. I plead, no I beg. GIVE THESE PERPETRATORS UP!! You cannot be accused of “ratting” on rats. These scum are vermin. They don’t care about me and they most certainly don’t care about you.

“I almost want to cry when I see what is happening.”