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.
There was a robbery of a local business just over a year ago and a substantial amount of jewelry was stolen. The police obtained finger prints and in a matter of weeks the criminals were arrested. The case went to court and just a few days ago it was postponed for the fourth time. The new date has been set for sometime in March and I have no doubt that on that date it will be postponed again. Heaven forbid that I should suggest any impropriety in the judiciary but something is rotten somewhere.
Attorney General John Delaney announced a new gun policy law (Tribune January 29) where gun cases will be isolated and tried in a separate court. We all wish him well but let us all hope and pray that once they reach the court it will not go the way of so many other courts with postponements ad nauseum.
