Crime in The Bahamas and what to do about it
First published in The Tribune on Saturday, June 21, 2008 under the byline, Young Man's View.
THESE days, Bahamians are falling like stunned bugs because of the vicious of vicious murders that have gripped Bahamian society and mark a depreciated value of human life.
The trend of anti-social behaviour is leading to a state of social chaos, where boorish persons barbarously roam the streets like wild animals, preying upon the weak or engaging in feral, homicidal behaviour to indulge their unabated anger. The senseless actions of uncivilized, dim-witted persons are rapidly casting the Bahamas in the image of a crime-ravaged hellhole on the brink of social implosion. Stricken by fear, Bahamians have voluntarily chosen to live in virtual imprisonment, locked behind iron bars (windows), bolted doors and screens, and sheltered behind iron gates.
In their state of paralysis, law abiding Bahamians have become more distrustful and are swiftly arming themselves with cutlasses, shot guns, bats and other safety measures to ensure their security.
The rise in the drug trade, the high importation and circulation of illegal firearms (from assault rifles to hand guns), gang feuds, domestic wrangles and fatal arguments have all contributed to the wave of aberrant, lawless behaviour we now see.
Recent police statistics show that 70 per cent of all recorded murders were committed by young hooligans between the age of 18 and 35.
Sadly, unless they’re directly affected, Bahamians seem to have become anesthetised to the accounts of the daily bloodbaths vividly broadcast on the nightly news programmes.
Recently, the Bahamas had the unfortunate distinction of being rated number one in the world—per capita—in reported rapes, even higher than African countries where rapes frequently occur.
The police, and society at large, must adopt a zero tolerance approach to violence and those malefactors whose life’s goal is to wreak havoc.
Of late, much ado has been made about the supposed gay murders in which fashion designer Harl Taylor, College of the Bahamas Dean Dr Thaddeus McDonald, AIDs Foundation administrator Wellington Adderley and Marvin Wilson were brutally butchered at their homes. The shooting of a visiting New Jersey policeman on Cable Beach, the Whit Monday murder of 16-year-old Khodee Davis on Cabbage Beach, the stabbing death of a teenager at Solomon’s, the vicious beat down and stabbing of two RM Bailey students, schoolchildren attacking law enforcement officers and destroying their vehicles, the after-school clashes and on campus assaults/murders and the discovery of a headless body and rotting carcasses, are all examples of the savage string of heinous crimes that portray our social meltdown. Furthermore, the large number of school fights and in-class sex acts that are posted on You Tube all reflect a society that is morally bankrupt and one where delinquency abounds.
Our antiquated, ham-fisted justice system has a backlog of 60,000 outstanding warrant files, including 11,000 criminal matters, and is practically incapable of handling the profusion of daily criminal matters so much so that suspected criminals and murderers are on the streets within 24 hours to 18 months of their initial arrest.
Adding to the dejected state of the courts, our derelict prison is brimming to capacity and is almost incapable of housing much more inmates. It is mind-boggling to note the murder statistics of our once passive, tranquil little country.
The murder of Khodee Davis on Paradise Island could have seriously endangered our economic lifeline and negatively impacted our tourist industry. While Bahamians should never be denied access to beaches or have their civil rights violated, the added police presence and stricter measures in place relating to access to Cabbage Beach during the Labour Day holiday was warranted, not only to thwart a recurrence of the Whit Monday tragedy, but also to ensure that local beachgoers conducted themselves properly.
When these scoundrels prey on and harass tourists (especially females) like ravenous vultures, misbehave and/or commit crimes at public/hotel beaches, the public at large has to bear the price for their misconduct and the country’s image is tarnished by the actions of these boneheads and “jungalists.”
And, why do nasty Bahamians prefer to litter beaches and leave piles of garbage instead of utilizing readily available garbage bins?
Recently, I observed a group of imprudent local youngsters misbehaving at Atlantis’ Marina Village. Frankly, that company may wish to seriously monitor, and in some cases ban, unaccompanied youngsters who act up while on that property.
It appears that besides the accessibility of firearms, recent stabbing deaths show that there are quite a few troublemakers who now emulate Chucky (movie character) and favour knives as a weapon of choice.
Parents must instil values in their children, be open and attempt to assist with resolving their child’s problems at home.
Parents, teachers and community stakeholders must all teach students to practice conflict resolution and anger management skills. Instead of pontificating about petty political matters, the church could have a huge impact in the fight against violent crime.
When I grew up, discipline was the order of the day. However, parents now appear to be more interested in cloaking their rude children and seeking their friendship. Disappointingly, even primary school students are carrying weapons and engaging in violence, particularly as some are taught by their parents to hit students or teachers.
The government must urgently move to revise the wholly inadequate Bail Act. Instead of employing real solutions, the government has again chosen to waste taxpayers’ time/monies and establish two pointless committees on crime—the latest consisting of a group of baby-kissers—to tell us what we already know. The recent failure of an accused drug dealer—on bail—to appear for the beginning of a drug possession trial in the Supreme Court is another example of why a revision of the Bail Act is crucial.
In fighting crime and reversing the apparent lack of reverence for authority, law enforcement officials must adopt former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani’s ‘broken window’ approach and seriously enforce the laws across the board—without ignoring any infraction. Furthermore, its high time close circuit television (CCTV) is installed, more strategic Defence Force patrols are directed at minimizing the smuggling of illegal weapons/ammunition, that police officers are heavily deployed to those boroughs with the highest instances of crime and that police officers strengthen their relationship with certain communities and thereby better their intelligence-gathering abilities.
Moreover, beyond carrying out the death penalty, stiffer penalties must be assigned to offences such as the possession of illegal guns, harmful drugs and rape, even if that means additional prison time and the use of the cat-o-nine tail, the rod or, in some instances, cow-cock.
