RCIPS to implement gun amnesty after six-year hiatus: Cayman News Service

(CNS): The RCIPS will launch a national gun amnesty next month, the first in six years, aimed at removing some of the illegal weapons currently on Cayman’s streets. While police have seized more than 130 guns in the past seven years, they know of more than 90 guns that were used in different crimes that they have yet to track down. So far this year, police have seized 12 guns in operations and eight people have been arrested and charged with possession of unlicensed firearms.

During the July 1-31 grace period, people can surrender their weapons without fear of prosecution for possessing a firearm without a license. But once the amnesty ends, those found in possession of an unlicensed firearm, even if they did not use or intend to use it to commit a crime, will face a minimum of 10 years in prison if convicted after a trial.

Police said they will work with key partners and stakeholders to provide multiple ways for people to surrender unlicensed firearms and ammunition. The aim is to appeal to those who have access to or know of illegal firearms and get them off the streets and communities.

There has been an increase in the use of guns on the streets recently, whether used in robberies or, as in a case at a football field in West Bay earlier this year, indiscriminate shootings to resolve gang disputes, putting innocent bystanders at risk.

This year’s amnesty is being led by Chief Superintendent Brad Ebanks, who said the amnesty will allow those in possession of illegal firearms, ammunition and any other type of illegal weapons to surrender them.

“We’re giving these people a chance to say no to a lifestyle that has only two outcomes: death or prison,” Ebanks said. “I know there are people who have unlicensed firearms who have realized that this is not a good idea. Now is your chance to do the right thing and leave. The results of the last amnesty should show us that this is an effective way to serve our communities and protect our families.”

During the amnesty June 2018During this period, a total of 18 firearms and nearly 900 rounds of ammunition were seized. Other weapons including crossbows and flare guns were also seized during this period.

Police Chief Kurt Walton has said on several occasions that Increased appetite There is an epidemic of guns among young people in the Cayman Islands. He called on those who have illegal weapons or know where they came from to bring them in.

“If you have these firearms, I urge you to surrender them and make our island a safer place for our children, youth, seniors and other vulnerable members of our community,” Walton urged. “In addition to providing a safe space for our visitors, it is even more important to ensure that the people who live and work here can do so safely.”

The amnesty provides a simple process for those who may be innocent custodians of weapons, or who may not even be sure of the legal status of the weapons, to surrender them to the police for disposal.

The amnesty will take place between 7am and 7pm every day in July, and people who turn in their guns will need to package them in a specific way.

All ammunition should be removed from the gun and wrapped individually in paper or plastic. The gun itself should be wrapped in a paper or plastic bag and securely taped shut. If transported by vehicle, the gun should be placed in the trunk and out of the reach of passengers. The gun should also be taken to the nearest designated location. For example, someone transporting a gun from Bodden Town should not take it to the West Bay Police Station.

Chief Superintendent Ebanks thanked partner agencies that supported the amnesty, including Cayman Islands Crime Stoppers, Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control, the Department of Public Safety Communications and the Office of the Attorney General.

Community members, such as the Cayman Ministers’ Association, elected members and community leaders, who agree to become points of contact for people who wish to turn in their firearms but do not come into direct contact with police will also play a key role in the success of the amnesty and enable the RCIPS to offer a variety of ways to turn in firearms or direct police to where weapons may be found.

Option 1: People can drop off firearms or ammunition at any police station. Well-packaged firearms can be placed in drop boxes at West Bay, Bodden Town and Little Cayman police stations. There are no drop boxes at George Town, Cayman Brac or East End police stations, so anyone wanting to drop off a firearm at those police stations should call 936-8026 to make arrangements.

Option 2: Hand over weapons or ammunition to trusted parties on a list, including pastors, members of Congress and community leaders. The list is available on the RCIPS website and posted below. These third parties would then arrange for the gun to be immediately handed over to the police.

Option 3: Information can be provided in the following ways: Cayman Islands Crime StoppersIndividuals can submit tips about the location of guns to the CCS website or by downloading the Cayman Islands Crime Stoppers app. That information will be passed on to police, who will recover the weapons.

Option 4: People can arrange to pick up their guns by calling 936-8026, contacting any police department or contacting an officer they know and trust.