by Jerome Pinder
The Tribune's Headline on Saturday April 17th read "Alleged home invader turned in by mother." This individual is alleged to have been involved in a number of home invasions in the eastern area of the island. His mother is to be commended for her brave actions in turning him in and if this behavior were to spread, the Police Force would have a much easier task before them.
This mother's brave action came right before our new Commissioner of Police publicly launched the new Policing Plan for 2010. As reported in the Tribune on Tuesday April 20th, the Commissioner ended his presentation with these words: "I pray to God that all meaningful citizens of this country will understand the challenges we now confront and join us in trying to make a difference."
The Police can only do so much and they cannot be in all places, all the time. We need more bold and brave action like the mother above in turning over criminals to the Police. And then we need more bold action from the Government in tightening the laws and expanding the courts to alleviate repeat offenders from getting bail and creating a further strain on the Police Force. The Police Force can have the grandest of plans, but they cannot move forward while continually chasing the same criminals out on bail.
While the above is positive for us all, it has to be overshadowed by comments on crime once again from our Minister of National Security. The Tribune's publication on April 20th had the following article: "Turnquest: murder in Bahamas is hardly ever a random act." Yes, many of the murders may not be random acts, but his comments give little comfort to the many murders that have not been random acts, which are far too many for a small island and population. What comfort does he give to the family of Wendy Bullard murdered on her job in a robbery, to the daughter of Mr and Mrs Soles shot to death in her vehicle outside her mother's home tending to her infant child, and to the family of Mrs. Cates brutally murdered in Eleuthera, and the list goes on............................
What Mr. Minister does your government say about the innocent people who have been murdered, who were not random acts, or to those who have been raped in their homes, and to those with guns held to their heads and robbed in their places of business. Crime has spiraled out of control and it has taken the Government 2+ years to place on their agenda the modernization of the Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, and the Bail Act.
My God! How long will it now take......................................
