The Editor Speaks: Is this the start of a new crime wave?
Since our story on Oct 3rd “Crime down in latest RCIPS release of Crime and Traffic Stats” there has been a sudden spate of disturbing incidents.
The RCIPS figures confirmed a drop of 35% in robberies and a 3.6% drop in burglaries. There was a further 5.98% drop in most serious crimes and an overall fall in crime by nearly 13.5%. We applauded the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) and said “we are moving in the right direction.”
Chief Superintendent Kurt Walton however warned, “The drop in crime is certainly welcome news. However, this is no time to be complacent.”
How right that statement was.
Since then (Wed 10) we have had a 24 year old female attacked by a male with a knife who stabbed her in her stomach, leg and left hand just to steal her groceries.
On the same day a firearm was discharged in West Bay.
Fri 5th another female was attacked by a male with a machete who cut her hand so he could relieve her of her handbag.
Thu 4th a man with a firearm approached the driver of a Sprint company vehicle with a firearm in the car park of BritCay House. He threatened the Sprint driver and made off with stolen property in a white Mitsubishi Galant driven by a partner in crime.
Also on the same day a female occupant of an apartment at George Town Courts, off Eastern Avenue reported that a male who was in possession of a knife entered her apartment through her unlocked front door. He made off with passports, one gold chain and one bracelet
On Tuesday (9) along South Church Street and by Dr. Merren’s property police were investigating a report of someone trying to break into a car parked there.
And these are only the ones we know about.
In seven days there were six incidents ranging from petty to major. Even two of the petty crimes involved in the victims being taken to hospital. One was outside a popular bar frequented by both residents and tourists.
Attacking defenseless women with a knife or a machete immediately they are confronted is particularly worrying. The perpetrator of such a cowardly and sickening act is immediate admission into the scum club of criminals and when caught should be so treated by our court system.
I can only fervently hope this is not the beginning of another wave of crime.
