Directors of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA) recently met with Commissioner of Police Derek Byrne, Superintendent Robert Graham and the Ministry of Tourism to address concerns and needs specific to the tourism industry to ensure the destination is able to sustain the quality guest experience for which the Cayman Islands is known. Present at the meeting were Deputy Premier and Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Moses Kirkconnell, Councillor David Wight, Chief Officer Stran Bodden, and CITA President Theresa Leacock-Broderick along with the CITA Directors representing accommodation, watersports, transportation and restaurants sectors. While CITA has had prior discussions with the Department of Tourism and with less senior members of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS), this recent meeting with the senior leadership provided the Association’s Directors the opportunity to make direct recommendations and to learn of the Commissioner’s strategic approach and some on the most recent initiatives being undertaken to address the gaps and challenges in service.

CITA is encouraged to learn that several of its concerns are being addressed by some of these immediate plans. For instance, CITA has previously asked for dedicated officers for tourism zones throughout the Cayman Islands so were pleased to learn that Community Policing will soon be reinstated and with several aspects of improvements in the longer term. Technological enhancements are anticipated that will enable better communications and information sharing amongst pertinent stakeholders and allow RCIPS contacts to be accessible. Road and marine regulations and enforcement remains a crucial concern in regard to visitor safety as infractions easily result in fatalities. The recent fire services training and ‘search and rescue’ emergency services along the coast of Seven Mile Beach are welcome implementations.

“The Commissioner demonstrates a thorough understanding of the larger issues underpinning the source of crime. We are encouraged to learn of the development of a multifaceted strategic approach” commented CITA President, Theresa Leacock-Broderick.

Police Commissioner Derek Byrne stated “We look forward to building on our relationship with the Cayman Islands Tourism Association and all its members, who represent a critical sector of the economy and rely on the relative safety of the Cayman Islands as one of its attractions as a destination.  Our expanded community policing department will enable us to work more closely with CITA to prevent crime through improved safety messaging to tourists, in addition to other anti-crime activities foreseen within our greater partnership.”

CITA is also advocating greater inter-agency collaboration and improvements in crime and safety preventive measures, emergency response and victim care. “There is undoubtedly a   shared resolve in the goal of ensuring all victims, whether resident and visitors, receive the best emergency care possible and are treated with compassion. Yet the level of professionalism and situational crisis management is particularly crucial to incidents involving visitors to our islands as the response of the local authorities can make all the difference in the unfortunate situation of a crime or emergency situation and can impact of our destination’s reputation” explained Ms. Leacock-Broderick. “We would like to see better response times to all 911 calls, as well as improved communication on tourist related incidents and emergencies whether on land or in surrounding waters” the CITA President added.

With proactive dialog and collaboration there is optimism that the RCIPS will be able to incorporate the identified concerns and suggestions into the overall RCIPS strategy and subsequent implementation.

Deputy Premier Moses Kirkconnell said”I felt that the meeting with the RCIP was very productive and allowed for candid discussion of coordinated strategies to combat crime and their effective implementation, Aggressive marketing and promotions efforts by the Ministry, DoT and tourism industry partners continue to increase stayover arrivals and we must ensure that the messages being conveyed about Cayman offering a safe and worry free travel experience hold true. Tourism is a discretionary product whereby the majority of tourists will not visit a destination if they feel their safety and well-being may be in jeopardy. Consequently, to maintain the safe, family-friendly atmosphere our Islands are known for, it is vitally important that everything possible is done to deter criminal activity, and ensure that those who do break the law are swiftly brought to justice. The Ministry fully supports the RCIPS in their efforts to maintain the safety of both visitors and residents and will be monitoring the progress of the initiatives discussed.”

With the Minister’s pledged support of the Ministry, communication will continue between the CITA, RCIPS, the Ministry and Department of Tourism to further these common interests and to create stronger partnerships and linkages with various Government agencies.  The CITA Executive and Directors will also be working to ensure dialogue continues amongst its wider membership of over 200 private sector establishments to provide information and create access to necessary resources.