RCIP crack down on looters

by Wendy Ledger

Friday, September 17, 2004

In the calm after the storm of Ivan, most of the residents of Grand Cayman are pulling together, but there are those who have other ideas. On Sunday evening when the worst of the hurricane had died down sporadic looting began around the island of Grand Cayman.

As residents remained in shelters their battered homes were vulnerable to those who were prepared to pick off the bones of what remained of their fellow islander's property. Martial law was declared in the Islands on Monday and various incidents have been reported, including looting from jewellery stores, supermarkets and other businesses, as well as private homes. The Royal Cayman Islands Police (RCIP), continue to do what they can to control the situation including using force, as units are armed. The RCIP has warned that officers are prepared to shoot perpetrators that are caught looting any properties.

The security force's rapid reaction to the actions of looters is preventing the situation from getting worse, however some residents have suffered the devastating impact of losing their home to Ivan and then what remained salvageable of their property to looters.

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