In the News…
Well, the year has started out hot, hot, hot here in the Cayman Islands. Gun violence is rearing its ugly head, and in a most vigorous fashion. There were three shooting incidents recently, all within the first work week of the year. I know the news paper article I have linked above said there were only two shooting incidents, but there appears to have actually been three. Perhaps because no one was wounded in the third incident, it has “escaped” notice. 
The first incident took place in the street, outside the ShirReynolds Nite Club in George Town last Saturday night. A 17 y.o. boy and a 22 y.o. man were shot. The 17 y.o. died and the 22 y.o. is in hospital.
Interestingly enough, the police cordoned off the street in the vicinity of this shooting for a few days to gather forensic evidence in relation to this crime, despite the fact that this is a major, major road here, traffic-wise. I am trying to remember something like that happening in Jamaica. I can think of two cases right now where people were killed in the street in Jamaica in major throughfares, and yeah, the police came on the scene, but once the bodies were removed, it was business as usual. As a result, I found it very interesting when I heard the public announcements on the radio from the RCIPS, advising people to take alternate routes. Looks like the RCIPS top guys here watch C.S.I., huh? 
The second shooting incident reported in the news occurred in the district of West Bay. Some men were sitting in the back of a truck outside a restaurant when a man came up, shot one of the men and ran off. The man is in the hospital, and a suspect has been arrested.
The third incident, which doesn’t seem to have been reported in the news, took place further down Eastern Avenue, at the Blue Marlin Nite Club. Apparently three shots were fired, though no one was hit. The word on the street that I have heard being bandied about is that the shooting was done by a young Caymanian.
Apparently this Caymanian and his friends believes that some Jamaican(s) were the ones responsible for the shooting of the 17 y.o. and they are rumoured to have said they plan to kill 3 Jamaicans in reprisal for the 17 y.o.’s murder. While “the word on the street” is just rumour that I’ve heard, I have strong reason to believe that the Blue Marlin shooting did occur, because of the number of people who have talked to me about it.
Yes, sir, Cayman is getting hot! Nowhere near as hot as Jamaica, of course, but here is the difference… As reported in the first news article I linked to, many of these murders reported from last year to now have occurred in bars that I go / went to. I don’t go to those bars frequently, but I do go there from time to time.
In Jamaica, most of the violence usually occurred in places I never went to (except maybe to drive through), and these were places that I had no intention of ever going to either. While its unlikely that I will go back to ShirReynolds anytime soon (wasn’t that impressed), I can see myself passing through Blue Marlin from time to time. They do have two pool tables, after all… As a result, I have been pondering if I am not more in danger here than in Jamaica. Hmmmm….. 
Okay, probably not, but I’ll have to keep monitoring the situation.
Loading ...
Nowhere in he world is spared from the ugly scourge of crime and violence these days.
As for Jamaican police, they only go to crime scenes to show their faces, nothing more.
Star, be careful of the bars and night clubs, too many young ,uncontrollable,angry and often irrational/emotional patrons, who are generally armed/packing, and with the consumption of alcohol and sundry drugs/pharmaceuticals they are ready to explode like a powder keg at the most miniscule problem or issue. Hence, such environments are high risk environments for shootings, trouble and mayhem. But I do agree with Stunner, no where is one hundred percent free of crime and violence, especially, when one resides in the Caribbean.Yes, indeed, Cayman is definitely getting hot. Interestingly, crime will definitely increase in Cayman and elsewhere in the medium term, as a consequence of the economic fall out/meltdown taking place globally. Also, crime scenes are not secured and protected in Jamaica, as you described in Cayman. I guess our police officers do not watch CSI (LOL). Not to make you paranoid in any manner or form, but be conscious of your environment and surroundings at all times. Nuff respect !!
So what do you feel is the root cause? Cayman has been extremely quiet crime wise up until the last ten-ish years. In the past ten years or less there has been a sudden and marked increase in crime overall but also, most noticeably, violent crime.
True to form, Caymanians blame the “damn Jamaicans” and I have to agree that there is evidence to suggest that a large portion of the criminal activity does involve Jamaicans. But, is that an accurate picture? There seems to be a correlation with bars and young locals as well. And, the expatriate population in general has exploded in the same period. But, I rarely hear of trouble from Filipinos and never hear of trouble from South Africans.
What do you feel is the problem?
Stay safe boss. I hope you and yours have a rewarding 2009.
Mad Bull, from January 1-9, thirty four people have been killed/murdered in Jamaica. Of the thirty four, nineteen are from Spain Town. Outrageous!! Totally outrageous!! See the KINGSTONIAN blog for details.
Midas is asking if its you causing trouble at the pool halls…. What should I tell him? (LOL)
@ Seven: Me? No sah!
@ Esteban: You know, it can be a good thing to take a critical look at yourself, but then, you need to acknowledge the bad AND the good. Why ever would someone write a blog focused ONLY on crime in Jamaica? (judging by the tagline, anyway)
No sah, me not reading that blog! They must only want to give Jamaica a bad name.
Mad Bull, a rather interesting perspective on your part vis-a-vis this blog.Your position is well comprehended, nonetheless, I do not think that the objective of the blogger is to embarass Jamaica or to give Jamaica a bad name.Indeed, the blog is somewhat highly specialized re crime, violence and criminology,but since its inception, it has become more diversified with respect to Jamaican content as it relates to politics,economics ,sociology, environmental issues and questions. Concerning the question of giving Jamaica a bad name, one is of the perspective/view, that the murderers wreaking bloody carnage and butchery across the island are giving Jamaica a bad name, more so than the blogger,who is just chronicling and documenting the high incidence of heinous crimes and murders across the island.Notwithstanding my perspective, although different from yours, your view regarding this blog is highly respected on my part. Nuff respect star !!
Doh watch no face, Esteban. You are quite right that the major source of the embarrassment is the gunmen themselves, I just didn’t like the idea of showcasing that aspect of Jamaica so much. I too respect your views on the matter.
@ Say Wah: I haven’t ignored you question… I will answer it shortly, when I get a little time to string a few thoughts and words together…
Looks like things are getting vile over in Cayman. I agree with Stunner about the Jamaican police. Can’t remember the last time they’ve cracked a case.
Leons last blog post..My thoughts on…cosplay
[...] Mad Bull is monitoring the crime situation in the Cayman Islands. Posted by Janine Mendes-Franco Print version Share This [...]
I find this somewhat confusing….
NSFWs last blog post..The Cracked Round-Up: This Time It’s Impersonal.