It must have been disheartening for officers of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service who were at the East End Community Meeting on Thursday (8) that they had organised.

Even with statistics showing major crime is actually down, the general consensus from the 30 persons present is they are not happy with policing in the District.

Lack of response (one person cited a 3 weeks response time), lack of enforcement of the law, non co-operation of officers with the community, and lack of trust in the officers were just some of the complaints.

“That’s why you won’t get any information from the East End people,” one man said.

Whilst some of the complaints seemed genuine the lack of information being given by East Enders can also work against them.

All they are doing is hiding criminals who will have no compunction but to turn on them at the first opportunity to make a buck they haven’t earned.

Everyone in East End is a target of these low lives they will not inform on.

And I am sure the police officers are not happy with their total lack of information when a police officer was hit by a rock leaving him seriously hurt outside the Pirates Cove Bar in East End.

The incident happened on 23^rd March in 2013 in front of over 100 persons. No one has come forward. No one saw anything. No one cares!

Good God East Enders someone was seriously hurt and a police officer was actually trying to do his duty in East End! The very thing you complain they are not doing.

Is this what you are trying to convey? Perhaps you all should take part in the Game Show “1 verses 100”? You would all be the Mob!

Chief Inspector Brad Ebanks said five new police officers were to be assigned to the North Side and East End Districts and he is confident the new officers will make a difference and build up a good relationship with the residents there.

He was so right when he said, “The community plays a vital part as well, because without their assistance we can do very little.”

There has been neglect on one side and also on the other. It takes both sides to build trust. Trust on one side doesn’t work.

Despite this, major crimes have declined but it’s the petty crimes that affect the majority of persons.

Police are not God. They can’t be everywhere and when they are trying to do their job, they need help. Yours. All of us!