Jerome Pinder (http://www.weblogbahamas.com)
The Tribune's publication dated the 28th August 2009 reported the Minister advising the public that Hangings would begin again in the Bahamas and not to mention another "Zero Tolerance" policy in relation to crime. Now, almost 30 days later we have heard nothing more on the issue and the murder count continues to rise.
"Bloody Sunday": What a headline on the 21st September 2009, so true and to take it one step further, we have experienced and continue to experience a bloody year.
In his letter to the Tribune printed on the 23rd September Mr. Marvin Gibson had it right, the Bahamas does need a moral facelift. We need to stop running the red lights, stop throwing trash along the road and beaches, stop stealing time, stop lying, start having self pride, our elected leaders need to stop condemning one another, and the list goes on……..
There is no doubt this Country needs change from the ground up and each individual must make their own conscience decision in this regard. However, with regards to the issue of violent crime, time is not on our side. We are here and now, faced with a problem that has spiraled out of control. A problem that does not allow us to stop and change all the small things and then tackle the escalating crime problem. The issue today, is not for Government to prevent crime, it is for the Government to implement an effective system of Justice and enforce our laws. I could care less whether hangings are a prevention to crime or not. Hanging is a form of punishment that matches the crime. It disgust me to hear people say that one can serve time for murder or rape, and thereafter, justice has been served. What about the victim, after a certain period of time does that person come back to life? How about the family, do they wake up one day and like magic all the loss and pain are gone? What about the rape victim, do they wake up one morning and all of a sudden the rape never happened? What about the children, does an automatic replacement for mummy or daddy appear? And for those who believe in rehabilitation for someone who can so carelessly take another life, I have a proposal; you take in and assume responsibility for rehabilitating the murderer and if they commit another crime you accept joint responsibility for the same!
I often wonder what it will take to set fire under the Government. We are seeing crime spill over into the business community at a very high level, not only with shootings, but also with armed robberies and theft. Yet, despite some talk, the Government seems immune to what is taking place. Are we going to wait until the criminal element begins to make a direct attack on our Tourist, on our Parliamentarians, on our Cabinet, on our Prime Minister?? I am no alarmist! Ten years ago nobody would have believed that we would be at 63 murders and counting for the year. The level of stress being placed on our lives, especially business owners, is beginning to spill over into other aspects of every day life.
In The Tribune on the 9th September in relation to the murder of an employee of Bertha's Go Go Ribs, I was surprised that the Commissioner of Police was hesitant to see a need for alarm regarding the "robbery-related murders." Do you think the Manager of Burger King should have been in a state of alarm? Do you think the staff of 21st Century Welding should have been in a state of alarm? However, I do understand his need to try and create some sense of calm and normalcy, although I don't see how anybody who must open and close a shop cannot be under a state of alarm. We have reached a trend of only waiting on 'where and when' for the next incident to occur, while our Government worries about the criminal's rights and we sit around while our rights of protection under the Constitution are violated. The people are demanding that the Government take action to protect the citizens of this country. Just like the Country needs an effective Commercial Court System to sustain ourselves as a competitive Financial Jurisdiction, the Police need an effective Criminal Justice system to support their tireless efforts on the streets. Is the Government going to protect us or are they going to amend the laws for us to protect ourselves? Stop sitting around and worrying about your self interest, stand up and do something to those that are destroying the quality of life in this country.
While I strongly believe that we are to support and pray for our Government, we also have a right and duty to hold them accountable. Bahamians from all walks of life are demanding a strong stance against crime. Announcing another "Zero Tolerance" strategy against crime is not the answer. "Zero Tolerance" should occur everyday. Resources need to be pumped into the Justice system. Good roads and infrastructure are no good to any of us, if we are going to have to continue to live with constant fear and frustration. The finest resorts will not be able to overshadow a Country plagued with Crime. The best airport in the region will not protect our image from a Travel Advisory or Warning issued in foreign jurisdictions. While the Government is making a valid effort on many fronts despite the economic challenges, failure to deal with crime will cause their work to be in vain.
The Minister advised "that no effort will be spared until we get those hardened criminals off of our streets and brought to justice." These are good words, but useless unless followed up with unprecedented action. And to date, useless they are. Persons continue to walk around free on bail, we have not seen an improvement in our Justice system in years, and based on the talk of the town, we are unlikely to see this Government carry out Capital Punishment. Surprise! Surprise!
We have completely allowed a roll reversal in this country, where the criminal roams free without fear or circumstance while the innocent person bars themselves behind a fortress of security devices (Sorry I forgot, 56% of murders are the result of the drug trade, retaliation, and conflict. So we can all take down our bars, unplug are alarms, and roll down the car windows and pray we miss out on the other 44%). Shame on our leaders for allowing this. The laws are protecting the criminals as opposed to the law abiding citizens, therefore, the Government and Opposition need to lock themselves in the House of Assembly and correct this now. This is not the time for talk and press releases.
The challenge of dealing with crime is now. It is not a challenge for tomorrow and it is not a challenge for us to stick our heads in the sand and allow it to fall on the next generation. It is a challenge that faces every hard working, honest Bahamian today. The majority of Bahamians continue to be law abiding citizens and it is the Government's job to protect them. Whether the Government has heard them or not, the people of this country have spoken and it is clearly the majority's desire for a line to be drawn in the sand and no stone left unturned in having Capital Punishment carried out in this country. History will not judge us or the Government well, if we sit by and do nothing. I have heard people say that the Minister of National Security should resign, quite frankly the whole Cabinet should resign as they appear unable to ensure that justice and the rule of law is carried out in this country.
The truly sad part is neither prominent political party has been effective on this issue. Perhaps the time has come for an alternative to the status quo??
