by Jerome Pinder
While overshadowed by other recent, pressing news, crime still continues to haunt our daily lives. Reports of stabbings, robberies, and murder still consume the daily news. I was relieved to hear from our Minister of National Security today when he spoke to the media about the Defence Force and links to poaching. I had started to get concerned that something had happened after not hearing anything from the Ministry on Crime recently. But now he is back, so that is a good sign.
Why do we do the same things daily, yet expect different results? Is this not the definition of insanity? The Government seems to be addressing many other issues besides crime. Are we under pressure from outside sources? What has happened to expanding the court system? Not much coming from the new Chief Justice or Attorney General.
Now today I have heard of two more reports of attacks in the vicinity of the Harbour Bay Shopping area involving rocks, thugs, and broken glass. How old are these individuals who attempt to stop cars in the middle of the street late at night and attack the occupants? Again innocent citizens have to lock themselves at home, while the criminals run free. These attacks have happened often enough that the Police need to carryout an ongoing sting operation to catch the culprits. This is just one example of the many small crimes being ignored in this country.
Let us take Harbour Island as an example. In March of this year there was a report in the Tribune "Country's crime rate hurting image abroad." The article spoke of the murder rate, several high profile attacks on tourist, and in particular the American tourist attacked with a cutlass in Harbour Island. An editorial during the same month entitled "Police to tackle 'Briland's crime," said "At Last Harbour Island - the tiny jewel in the Bahamas' archipelago - is receiving the law enforcement attention that it should have had years ago." Harbour Island is a clear case where for years the small problems were ignored, allowing the situation to boil over. Boiling over to a point where news of the attacks on Tourist spread around the world. And it had to reach this point for the problems to be properly addressed. Nassau is no different. The small problems are boiling over right before our eyes.
What about today's report in the Tribune "Hotel workers' hours slashed." One set fighting for tourist to come and another set robbing those that are here. These thugs should be brought before the courts in shame and given the whip for threatening the very life blood of us all. There is no excuse for their behavior. Our own PM told us that poverty and other social ills are no excuse for crime. Many have risen against all odds. Others could care less. If you have it and they can take it, why work for it!!
Now back to the attacks in the vicinity of Harbour Bay. I propose to the Commissioner, should the Police carry out a sting operation that leads to the arrest and conviction of any of the culprits involved, I will personally pay to repair any glass damaged on the vehicle in the process. And while you are at it, if the culprits are minors, drag their parents or guardians before the court.
To the Government of the Bahamas who have an obligation to protect us, these problems will not disappear on their own. As I have said before, do not wait until there are open attacks on the leaders of this Country. The Tribune's recent editorial "Operation Ceasefire worth investigating" invited the Commissioner to try something new, bold, and different.
The car is running off the road, its time to get both hands on the steering wheel.
