Dr. Minnis, Leader of the Free National Movement (FNM), issued the following statement regarding the PLP’s failure to address the murder rate:
Of all the words that could be used to describe this weekend’s three tragic murders in the Bahamas, this PLP Government chose ‘unusual’? Apparently Minister Nottage thinks that these three tragic murders were ‘unusual’ – as in out of the norm, or not an unordinary occurrence.
Unfortunately, for many Bahamians the violent crime wave, an example of which we witnessed this weekend, has become the common occurrence in our communities. Ordinary Bahamians know that The Bahamas’ murder rate has continued to reach historic records for each of the last several years. They feel it when they leave their homes at nights, or walk the streets. They do not feel safe in their communities, and they feel unsecure in their own homes.
Yet this Government is telling them that the violent crime they see and feel is ‘unusual’. Not only is the tone of Minister Nottage’s words deaf and insensitive, but his tone is a frightening reminder that this Government is not ready to lead. The murder rate has increased every year they have been in power. There were 514 murders occurring under their rule, yet no response from this Government. Sexual assaults against women are on the rise, yet this Government does nothing to stem the tide of these vicious attacks.
“The Commissioner of Police recently proposed acquiring the services of a helicopter, and the acquisition and lawful deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles as well as the construction of a forensic science facility with emphasis on a state-of- the-art DNA laboratory. As they have for the last four years, this Government has failed to act on these important initiatives. We commend the Commissioner for his proactive recommendations as another arsenal in his crime fighting strategy. In the meantime we get no action from this Government. No timeline for the implementation of anything. Instead more empty rhetoric and broken promises from this Government.
What’s ‘unusual’ is that the PLP Government thinks that they can ignore the people.Bahamians know you can’t fix a problem if you continue to ignore it. Under the FNM, there will be no more business as usual, we will take concrete steps to make our streets and communities safe and secure.
