thebahamasweekly.com - Dr. Minnis: PLP’s Failure to Address the Crime Epidemic

From:TheBahamasWeekly.com

Bahamian Politics
Dr. Minnis: PLP’s Failure to Address the Crime Epidemic
By The Free National Movement
Mar 27, 2017 - 1:05:39 PM

Nassau, Bahamas - Dr. Minnis, Leader of the Free National Movement (FNM), issued the following statement on the PLP’s broken promises to reduce crime:

“Amidst a plethora of campaign promises made five years ago, the PLP assured Bahamians that crime would subside under their watch. Yet after five years of empty rhetoric and broken promises Bahamians are being suffocated by a growing crime epidemic that at first this PLP Government insisted on downplaying and only lately have come to realize the gravity of the situation confronting our communities.”

“Even today when the PLP uses terms like ‘perceived’ or ‘seems’ when it comes to increases in crime they are sending a dangerous message to our country, and a disheartening one to so many victims impacted by violent crimes. Over the last five years, attempted murders, robberies and sexual assaults are on the rise and foreign countries have issued multiple travel advisories to their citizens. The PLP must understand that you can’t ignore a problem for the better part of five years just hoping it goes away and then turn around in the months before an election and expect people to trust you to fix the problems you were dismissing not too long ago.”
 “The FNM does not see crime as a political issue to be wrestled over in the heat of a campaign. It is a central issue adversely impacting the daily lives of so many Bahamians. We believe it is incumbent upon us to have a comprehensive plan that will seek to reverse this trend. The people deserve to know what our vision is to turn back the growing crime epidemic. Our approach includes a litany of thoughtful, holistic reforms that seek to address the crime problem at its roots. Preventative measures, working to integrate local community leadership, police training and rehabilitation are the cornerstones of our blueprint for a safer and more secure society.”

“The FNM will never ignore or belittle the issue of crime because we believe leaders should always listen to the concerns of the communities. We also believe a safe society is a prerequisite for progress, and fear is an obstruction that holds our children back from a brighter future – our aggressive plan will look to break through the challenges on crime that have infected our streets.”