RCIPS Launches 2021 Holiday Safety Campaign

RCIPS' holiday safety operation, Winter Guardian, commences today, 1 December, and will see increased community foot patrols and intensified road enforcement operations, supported by road safety education and awareness campaigns. The operation continues throughout the holiday season and into the New Year in an effort to ensure the safety of members of the public as they do their shopping, travel the roads and enjoy festivities.



"The focus of our 2021 Holiday Safety Campaign is on ensuring we have significant policing presence to provide reassurance to the public while also deterring crime, both within our communities and business locations, especially during this time of increased commercial activity, socialising, and late opening hours," says Chief Inspector Malcolm Kay.



Community Police officers will be conducting evening foot patrols across residential communities and commercial areas around the Cayman Islands to increase visibility and provide support to residents, business owners and shoppers throughout the Holiday Season. Officers from the Special Constabulary will be added to increase the presence of uniformed officers throughout the island, and members of the 2021 RCIPS Recruit Class will be working alongside traffic officers throughout the holiday period.



The RCIPS' ongoing road safety campaign, Operation Quaker, is also part of the Holiday Safety Campaign. The Traffic & Roads Policing Unit will continue to deploy high visibility patrols and traffic checkpoints, with the aim of reducing traffic collisions and increasing road safety by cracking down on drunk driving, distracted driving, and speeding.



"Of course, these activities are a major part of the RCIPS' efforts year-round, however, the festive period brings with it increased activity, which requires a more focused strategy. I would ask all members of the public to work with us, by simply following the law and behaving responsibly, especially when it comes to the Public Health Regulations in regards to COVID-19, as we continue to work to keep our communities safer," adds Chief Inspector Kay.



"As we enter the festive season, we know that social gatherings become more frequent and so the temptation to drink and drive increases," says Inspector Dwayne Jones, head of the Traffic and Roads Policing Unit. "However, regardless of the time of year, drinking and driving can easily end in tragedy. If you plan to drink, you need to find an alternative to driving."



As in previous years, the RCIPS continues to support the National Drug Council in their annual Arrive Alive 345 Campaign. This includes the Designated Driver Programme, an initiative among local restaurants to offer complimentary soft drinks to designated drivers. The Purple Ribbon Bus service provides free bus service on New Year's Eve from 9:00PM to 4:00AM for all districts on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac. Additionally, the RCIPS encourages drivers to take the Purple Ribbon Pledge to not drink and drive over the holiday season. Visit the National Drug Council<http://www.ndc.ky/designated-driver-purple-ribbon-bus.html> for more information.



The RCIPS is also reminding the public to be especially cautious of financial crime, which tends to increase during the holiday season as persons increase their online shopping and transactions using debit and credit cards. Always be sure to take appropriate precautions when engaging in these activities, and be sure to guard your financial information closely. More tips on financial crime prevention can be found on our website<https://www.rcips.ky/rcips-fciu-issues-public-advisory-on-financial-scams-30-september> and on our social media channels.