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Who's on first?

Sidney Sweeting, DDS

In the late 1930's the famous comedy duo, Abbot and Costello, did a comedy skit about baseball in which the players had odd names such as "Who's" (name of player) on first, "What's" on 2nd and "I don't know" is on third. I have been reminded of this skit by my frustrating efforts to find out who is responsible for the public having this long-suffering and dangerous battle that plagues us with non-functioning traffic lights all over the island.

Several months ago I called the Ministry of Works and asked for the person responsible for the traffic lights. A gentleman at that extension said that he was not responsible and the lady in charge was not yet in (it was only 9:30 am). I called again at 10:30 am and she told me that she was not in charge and gave me the name of the person who is in charge and tranferred my call. The person at that extension said that she was not in charge and gave me another name and again tranferred my call. The gentleman who answered this time said that he did not know who is in charge of traffic lights.

Finally, I asked to speak with the Minster. He was in a meeting but he did return my call. He explained that sometimes the parts required to fix the lights are very expensive which led me to question what monetary value the Ministry places on a life that may be lost because of a non-functioning light. He did promise to look into it that afternoon.

The following morning the light (at the Village Road/Shirley Street intersection) was working. That evening it had quit. After it had been on for two days this week and then off again I decided to call the office of the MInister again. His secretary informed me that a contractor is in charge and gave me his name and phone number. A very pleasant gentleman informed me that he would go and fix it immediately if he could get permission. His contract has not been renewed but stated that he would fix it free of charge if he could get the ok, but he does not know who could give him permission and, as in George Orwell's Animal Farm, they stumble along in organized confusion.

So, "Who's" in charge and if anyone knows how to find "Who's" please inform the Press.

Read my lips - Blame the courts, not the police

Sidney Sweeting,DDS

The main topic of conversation in the Bahamas is the rampant crime. It is unusual to meet someone who has not been assaulted, had a break-in at home, something stolen or know of someone who has been a victim of crime. What I find puzzling is the number of people who are quick to express their dissatisfaction with the efforts of the police. I believe that the police are doing an incredible job and they surely must feel a great deal of frustration when they arrest the criminals, take them to court and they are released on bail or even worse, the case is postponed again and again.

The once-peaceful and serene Harbour Island has been in the news often of late because of the rampant crime. It was not too long ago that most residents would not even lock their doors at night. Not so anymore and there have been so many home invasions that someone told me that they have been living there for almost forty years and had never seen as many homes of winter residents listed for sale as there is now.

The problem there is also the courts. I will give one example and it is typical.

Nassau, where nothing should surprise us

Sidney Sweeting, DDS

I went out with a friend for lunch yesterday and we got caught in a class one traffic jam after turning on to Shirley Street from Kemp Road. The traffic was moving at a snails pace. We were patient, assuming that there had been an emergency somewhere on Shirley street. There was.

Some workmen had found a crosswalk that required a coat of paint on Shirley street at the junction of Church street. If left until that evening it would have created a national emergency.

We all need to be more tolerant and understanding. So the next time you are stuck in traffic and see an unattended area blocking one lane of traffic please realize that there is a very good reason for your minor inconvenience of being just an hour late for an appointment or not getting to work on time.

Is there too much "goon squad" mentality with some police?

Sidney Sweeting, DDS

The recent beating of a woman who was conducting a segway tour on Prince George dock was very disturbing and has a lot of Bahamians wondering what kind of people are being recruited to "serve and protect us." It has been reported that police officials will immediately start an investigation into the matter. I hope that the Press will follow this all the way through and that the punishment of those policemen involved in this dastardly act will be appropriately punished and not just demoted or transferred to another department.

A couple of weeks ago I was approached by a gentleman who requested my permission to sell phone cards in front of my office, off the street. I was happy to do so and gave him written permission to present with his appication for a permit. He was told by a food vendor, who also sells phone cards in another areea, that she did not want him in front of my office - informed him that she had a friend who is an inspector on the force and she would see that he was removed. Two days later two inpectors did show up and asked him to move. Just a coincidence, of course. I have followed through with this because I saw it as a clear case of harassment.

I called the department that issues the phone card permits and was told by the inspector that they did not want too many in one area and I informed him that there was no one else on Collins Avenue selling cards, he is off the street and is quiet and unobstrusive. We are hoping that he will have his permit by Monday.

I feel that the most disturbing part of this issue is that with the country being ravaged with crime two senior police officers could find the time to harrass a phone card seller whose permit is ready and will be colleected as soon as the business licence receipt is presented. All this while, we have learned, most sellers on the streets do not have a permit.

When government is the problem, not the solution

S.T. Sweeting, DDS

The secretary of the Pharmaceutical Council has been calliing physicians and dentists to make sure they know of the provisions of the new Act which will become law in January 2011.

I was informed that we will then be alllowed to give patients only those pills of a prescription drug that the patient will take in our office, that none can be given the patient to be taken at home.

Consider this scenario: a patient has a procedure done and it is anticipated that there will be some pain after the anesthetic is no longer effective and will need 2 or 3 pills to be comfortable. They are given the 1 pill at the office. At midnight the patient is in pain again so they have to call so the dentist can see them at the office to give them another pill. At 6am they are in pain again, so the dentist is called again to meet the patient at the office for another pill. It can be done that way or the patient can be given a prescription for three pills to go and sit at the pharmacy and wait for the pharmacist to give them the three pills.  We were told that there is one 24 hour pharmacy so the patient may have to travel several miles to collect 3 pills.

A solution for Crime

Sidney Sweeting, DDS

We have been blaming the criminals and we have been blaming the police for the rampant crime that is destroying our country.

It has become obvious to me that the real problem is the court system and some of the judges. Quite frankly, I feel we need a commission of inquiry.

A very recent case is a perfect example. It was reported in The Punch that a man was found with seven guns and an abundant supply of ammunition. He appeared before Judge Gomez and was released on bail. This was confirmed to me by a senior police officer.

Well, why shouldn't he be released - he pleaded "not guilty" didn't he, and we all know that Bahamians don't lie.

The Bahamas and Crime - the clock is ticking

Sidney Sweeting, DDS

It is impossible to live in any country where there are no complaints about the way the country is being governed, the quality of service at the utility companies, the unpaved roads, the dirty beaches, the malfunctioning traffic lights,etc. We could however, have streets paved with gold, pristine beaches and every traffic light on the island working all the time but the time has come to take the gloves off and let Government get real serious about crime in the country or everything else will be for naught.

Random Thoughts: Chris Lowe fights Customs; Cuban Teachers Recruited; FM 98.1; and Working Traffic Lights

Sidney Sweeting, DDS

Chris Lowe and Bahamas Customs

The issue of Chris Lowe and his battles with Customs in Freeport  continue to bother me because I am convinced that he is fighting an issue for all of us, not just for himself and his company. So often many of us fall in line and do just what we are told because we mistakenly believe that becasue the laws are made by Government then Government will obey the laws just like we are expected to do. Unfortunately, many of us do not know the law as Chris does (that is not an excuse for the rest of us) and he is standing toe to toe with them.

I find this all very frightening. You should too.

Cuban Teachers at the Ministry of Education

There was a report in the Press last week of 35 Cuban teachers being hired by a team of recruiters sent to Cuba by the Ministry of Education. The report stated that 21 of the 35 teachers could not speak English. What criteria was used to determine their eligibility - their height or maybe their looks?

FM 98.1 The Bahamas Classical Music Station

Where is the common sense in Bahamian justice?

Sidney Sweeting, DDS

After arriving at my office on Friday morning I started to read the account of the trial of Cordel Farrington who was accused of murdering the four boys in Grand Bahama. I made it as far as the account of his murder of the first boy when I realized that I could not continue the account because I would be an emotional wreck.

When I found the courage to finish the account that evening I tried to imagine the fear and suffering that those four boys lived through and I cannot even imagine what the families must have endured because of that beast.

Where are the Bahamian Police? An update

Sidney Sweeting, DDS

The first blog was posted here... on September 1, 2010.

The complaint was filed by the victim on a Friday afternoon and I called and spoke with an officer at the complaint and corruption unit on the following Monday. She said that there had been a fire in their office so work was a bit backed up. I called again on Thursday and she asked me to call again on Monday and she should have something to report and made a note of my number. Periodically I would call on the Monday and Tuesday and the phone was always busy. Still, to this day, she has not called me and the next paragraph should explain why.

In the meantime I received a call from the victim's mother thanking me for my efforts becasue a policeman had visited their home and offered the young man $500 and, to his credit, he informed the officer that it was $269 that was taken and refused the rest. I believe that  is known as"hush" money.

I then placed a call to the office of the Commissioner and was referred to the office of the Asst. Commissioner. The secretary in that office said they would have someone call me. I am still waiting for that call. I want to know if that is the way they investigate complaints of corruption ("hush" money) or only in cases where it is one of their own.

I have been told that this is just one of many cases so why should there be any question as to why so many people have such a low opinion of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.