Rick Lowe
I'm usually wary when people in the political class keep repeating that a programme they've designed worked as planned but the country just needs more of it. Just more resources (taxpayer money) are required for the bureaucracy to solve all our problems.
And this is the case with the PLP's Urban Renewal 2.0. See here… here… and here… for some background.
The myth being created that Urban Renewal 1.0 was dismantled just doesn't make sense when the department responsible for the programme advised that the budget and number of Urban Renewal centres were increased, with some $14 million dollars being budgeted and/or spent on it between 2006 and the budget for fiscal year ending 2012.
Other things don't add up either. Reports/press releases that crime statistics for the years 2005 and 2006 show reductions in total crimes reported as a result of Urban Renewal 1.0 are questionable at minimum.
Crime overall has reduced since 1992 and it seems total crimes reported in 2001 when there was no Urban Renewal were about as low as 2005 and 2006 when the programme existed.
A few questions arise that deserve consideration.
- What was the overall economic performance of the country in the years crime was lower?
- What was unemployment in those years as a result of a healthy world economy?
- How were the crime statistics in 2005 and 2006 manipulated? Indications are that crimes under $500 were not reported during those years?
- How many crimes were thwarted as a result of Urban Renewal 1.0?
- Can we get a demographic breakdown of where crimes were committed? Suggestions have been made that most crimes during 2005 and 2006 were committed in those areas where Urban Renewal offices are located.
- How about a list of what crimes are committed? i.e. Armed Roberty, house breaking, drugs etc.
- What about crime related to the drug trade? Should we legalise drugs?
Until all the details are released and a proper study is completed providing these answers and more, it seems the nation is stuck with what "he say" or "they say" for answers.
Maybe if those people living there build trusting relationships with the Police, and visa versa, and start reporting crimes and suspicious individuals instead of waiting for the political class to solve the problem there might be some positive results as seen in other countries?
Of course the political class and Police must provide encouragement and the Police should receive resources they need, but outside of that, individuals, churches, Junkanoo and other community groups should step up to the plate and help resolve the crime problems in their areas. Even if it means pimping on their friends or family members.
Having said all that I'm not a sociologist nor a psychiatrist, but I know the rhetoric we're getting is not the solution. If political parties must get involved all they need to do is agree that crime is a national issue that affects all Bahamian's, FNM's and PLP's alike and work together for possible solutions.
Maybe a joint political rally on crime? There will be lots of people there at least.
How about starting neighborhood crime watches in constituency offices?
What ideas do you have?
I don't think Urban Renewal 2.0 will solve crime just as Urban Renewal 1.0 didn't.
The country deserrves more than cute slogans.
