RCIPS Encourages Safety during the Easter Holiday

The RCIPS is committed to its policing priorities of preventing and tackling crime and making our roads safer. It's with this in mind that the public is being reminded that the Easter holiday period has been known to be a time of increased roading activity across the islands, and everyone is asked to exercise caution while they go about their day-to-day activities.

Traditionally, it is customary for families to engage in camping activities, especially on the beach, in addition to travelling, and other festivities with family and friends. This often means that many homes will be left unoccupied for an extended period. In addition, the activities being carried out on beaches can create risks for the most vulnerable in our community: our children. Therefore, the police, and more specifically, our community police officers and traffic officers, are asking the public to consider the following tips to ensure safety and deter crime throughout this holiday period.

Crime Prevention Tips for Residences: If you are travelling or leaving home for an extended period, remember to:

  *   Update your security systems at home, ensuring that CCTV cameras are serviced and footage is stored properly with correct dates and times.
  *   Ask a trusted person to check on your property while you are away, or if you are not travelling off-island, check on your homes periodically.
  *   Ensure that all your doors and windows are properly secured before leaving home, and do not leave any valuable property visible to others from the outside.
  *   Call your community police officers and update them about your plans for the holidays, so that your community can be considered in our patrol strategies.


Road Safety Tips: While traversing our roadways during this Easter Holiday period, you are being reminded to:

  *   DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. Instead, designate a driver or make other similar plans to return home safely after any outings where you are indulging in alcoholic beverages.
  *   Reduce your speeds and be on the lookout for pedestrians and cyclists, especially in camping areas.
  *   Ensure that you give 100% of your attention to driving, and especially do not use your mobile phone while driving.
Safety Tips at Camp Sites: While you are camping with your families at various locations throughout the Cayman Islands, ensure that you:

  *   Pay close attention to your children while at campsites, especially if you are camping near the coast.
  *   Ensure that you have obtained a permit from the Public Lands Commission for any bonfires alight at campsites, that proper fire safety protocols are in place, and that fires are never left unattended.
  *   Assign a campsite leader who will take charge in the event of any issues that may arise.


Increased policing presence and reassurance will also be felt in our residential neighbourhoods and campsites throughout the Cayman Islands.

"Camping culture in the Cayman Islands has always been a time where families get together and spend quality time with each other," say Inspector Ian Yearwood, in charge of Community Policing. "Unfortunately, we have found that in the most recent years, this tradition has been sullied by those who use these activities to commit crimes and carry out other anti-social behaviour such as drug use and breaches of the peace. We will be actively patrolling these campsites and ask that any such activities be reported to the police by calling 9-1-1."

Police Officers will be out and will be enforcing the Traffic Act, specifically concerning DUI and the speed limits.  Officers will also be conducting traffic stops to detect those drivers who are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  Do not risk having a collision or being prosecuted for DUI when you could have made alternative arrangements to get home safely.

Motorists can expect increased policing presence and spontaneous vehicle checkpoints, aimed at encouraging good driving behaviour, increasing traffic enforcement and ensuring general road safety through policing presence. These proactive activities are being conducted in collaboration with the National Road Safety Strategy, 'Safe Roads, Safe Cayman: The Road to Zero.' Remember, DUI and irresponsible driving cost lives.


"The preservation of life remains the RCIPS' top goal and aim, and with road safety being a major concern in this area, we will be doing our part during the Easter Holiday, to ensure that everyone gets home safely," says Superintendent Adrian Seales in charge of Specialist Operations including the Traffic and Roads Policing Unit. "We are asking that the community assist us by encouraging everyone they know to do the right thing and reduce their speeds and not drink and drive. The combination of speed and drinking has been the leading cause of road fatalities in the Cayman Islands over the years."


The RCIPS wishes you a happy Easter and thanks you for your contribution in "Making the Cayman Islands Safer".