Governor and Premier Issue Joint Statement on Community Safety

The Cayman Islands Governor, Jane Owen, and Premier, André Ebanks, have issued a joint statement addressing recent incidents of crime, assuring the public that maintaining community safety remains a top priority for both the Cayman Islands Government and the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS). In the statement, Premier Ebanks and Governor Owen reaffirmed their commitment to law and order, emphasising that acts of criminal behaviour will not be tolerated. The Premier noted that he convened a meeting earlier today (15 December 2025) with Police Commissioner Kurt Walton and other officials to review the situation and the measures being taken to address it.

Governor Owen also commended the ongoing work of the RCIPS, particularly heading into the busy Christmas season, and emphasised the importance of community vigilance. Both leaders urged residents to promptly report suspicious activities and avoid wearing non-medical masks in public places.

The joint statement in full reads as follows:

Premier, the Hon. André Ebanks:
Fellow Caymanians and residents, Her Excellency the Governor Jane Owen and I are united this afternoon in reassuring the public that the recent incidents of crime within our communities are being taken very seriously.

Given the importance of this matter, I called a meeting this morning, inviting Police Commissioner Kurt Walton to brief both the Government and the Leader of the Opposition on the current situation and the steps being taken to address it.

Our Islands are built on law and order, manners and values. Acts of criminal behaviour, particularly those that threaten the safety of our residents, visitors and businesses, are not reflective of our society and will not be tolerated.

Her Excellency, the Governor Jane Owen:
As Governor, I work very closely with the Police Commissioner and his teams at the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) to prioritise our preventative and investigative work to reduce crime. I strongly believe that by working together, being vigilant, and utilising our skills in areas such as forensics and detection, we can reduce the sort of crimes we have seen in recent days and weeks and keep our Islands safe for residents and visitors alike.

That is why we are prioritising the resources we put into patrols over the Christmas period around all of our Islands and commercial premises.

I am grateful to Commissioner Walton and all of his staff, both on the front line and in key roles behind the scenes, who continue to put every effort into fighting crime.

Premier ,the Hon. André Ebanks:
We need the cooperation of everyone to keep our Islands safe. Firstly, we urge the community to remain vigilant. Secondly, we encourage the public to support the police by reporting crimes promptly. Every moment counts – do not delay in reporting suspicious activities to 911 or the nearest police station.

We also want to remind you that the police discourage the wearing of non-medical masks, intended to conceal one’s identity, in public places.

Our Government is committed to working with the private sector and other NGOs to ensure our Islands remain a safe place to live and work, because when crime occurs, it is not just a matter for the police alone. It concerns every one of us.

So may God continue to bless you, bless your families and these Cayman Islands, and let us stand firm and act strongly to root this out and keep our Islands safe for the 2025 Christmas period and a prosperous 2026.