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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
 The Tourism Minister’s call for a crime march is representative of the tired, unimaginative and antiquated approach which this administration has taken in dealing with the criminal element in this country. At a time when our streets have become a war zone and families continue to be ripped apart by violent crime, this Christie led government’s only answer is to MARCH? After promising to have the answers to crime in the run up to the last election the Minister’s solution to the scourge of crime is to MARCH? Bahamians have been MARCHING and PRAYING in Rawson Square for more than twenty years; what we need now more than ever is ACTION. Action, on the part of the legislators who must do more than pay lip service to the idea of eradicating crime. Without it, all the marches in the world will have NO IMPACT.
The Democratic National Alliance has long stated that it is the duty of a good government to ensure the safety and security of all its citizens. In doing so, our leaders must first be prepared to accept and acknowledge their failures on the crime front. Rather than dismiss constructive criticism as negativity, the government of this country must begin to honestly examine all the contributing factors to crime and work to address them holistically and from several vantage points.
As the next government, The Democratic National Alliance is prepared to do just that. As part of a comprehensive assault on crime the DNA will, among other things, begin the work of restoring public confidence in the justice system; rooting out systemic corruption and restoring law and order. NO MAN OR WOMAN is above the law which means that all law breakers, including those have been previously protected as a result of their socio-economic or political ties WILL BE MADE TO ANSWER for their crimes; both minor and serious. The administration of justice must be seen to apply to all Bahamians across the board and not just those born without the right political connections. A DNA government will also restore autonomy to the Royal Bahamas Police force effectively untying the hands of the Commissioner of Police and his team, freeing them from the widespread political interference which has plagued the system for far too long.
Additionally, the DNA will work to establish sovereign control over which crimes qualify as the worst of the worst, removing the Privy Council as the country’s final court of appeal and effectively paving the way to enforce capital punishment laws which remain on our books. In cases where the death penalty is not required the DNA will ensure that a balance is finally struck between punitive and rehabilitative elements of the penal system. Systemic reforms at the department of corrections including a focus on rehabilitation for persons who are prepared to take advantage of it will address high levels of recidivism which currently sees hundreds of young men in particular, return to a life of crime upon exiting the prison system.
Finally a DNA government will address long standing deficiencies with the judiciary, starting with reforms to the Attorney General’s office by making that position independent, autonomous and free from potential political coercion. Judicial reforms will also include ensuring that resources including judges, stenographers and physical courts are made available to make certain that swift justice is indeed that.
While the Minister calls for MARCHES, we call for ACTION! Anything less and our streets will NEVER BE SAFE. We can no longer afford to bury our heads in the sand on this issue. WE NEED MOVEMENT OVER MARCHES!
Andrew Wilson
DNA Chairman
© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com
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