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Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM |
Nassau, Bahamas - The following is a press statement by the Leader of the Free National Movement, the Hon. Dr. Hubert A. Minnis, titled: Ending Business As Usual In The National Fight To Break The Back Of Crime, delivered at a press conference on December 10th:
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen:
It has been well over twenty-four hours since the Bahamian people awoke to the news of the home invasion, assault and robbery that occurred at the residence of Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis. The passage of time has done little to diminish the feelings of shock, disbelief, frustration and anger all of us felt when we were forced to accept once again the brutal reality that crime is out of control and we are all as vulnerable as sitting ducks. Time has not diminished the sense of concern and alarm that—no matter how they try to convince us with the numbers—we are at a new level of unprecedented violence in our small, close-knit society, and each and every one of us is at risk.
Despite our shock and disbelief, the sad reality is that the experience of an armed assault on the home of the highest government official in the land was indeed very real. As he himself reminded us just a few months ago after his armed police guard was shot in an attempted armed robbery at his home, “with the unprecedented levels of crime that we are experiencing, none of us is safe”. It is that unfortunate reminder from the Deputy Prime Minister that brings us here today.
One of the most important responsibilities of any government, is the duty to keep its people and visitors to its shores safe. The fact that armed criminals can launch a assault on the home of the Acting Prime Minister, confirms that the government is incapable of keeping anybody safe. It forces tourists, foreign governments and foreign investors alike to ask the question, if the government cannot keep its own leaders safe, how can I be assured that I, my family, loved ones and employees are safe? Yesterday’s assault, like the recent robbery of a senior U. S. Embassy official, was another game changer for The Bahamas.
Yesterday’s armed home invasion, robbery and assault sends the message that criminals are running the country at the highest level. Across the length and breath of The Bahamas Bahamians and foreign residents who choose to make The Bahamas their home WERE taking stock, if not packing up.
In the aftermath of yesterday’s events, the Acting Prime Minister jumped onto a plane, headed off to the Exumas as if the very fabric of our democracy was not threatened, as if the armed robbery of the acting Commander in Chief was no big deal. Prime Minister Perry Christie continued on his journey to South Africa as if nothing serious had happened, as if the incident involved some petty street justice, with individuals known to each other, nothing for the good people of The Bahamas to get too stressed about. Are they serious? Why are they down-playing the most serious breach of national security in our country's history?
A serious Prime Minister would have returned to town immediately and reassure a shocked and fear-filled nation that we and not the criminals are firmly in control.
A serious Prime Minister would take serious action and announce a full shakeup of his national security team given their admitted failure to address crime as promised as highlighted by their failure to provide adequate protection for the acting Prime Minister. It is crystal clear that as the Minister in charge of Urban Renewal has been held hostage in a home invasion, Urban Renewal 2.0 has failed.
A serious Prime Minister would understand that actions and not words are what are required to reassure and inspire confidence in the Bahamian people. The FNM is committed to action. Now!
Notwithstanding the fact that the Deputy Prime Minister was a principal architect of the PLP’s pre-general election campaign to politicize crime by showcasing billboards blaming the FNM for the large numbers of murders—and in the process telling the world that Bahamians are a violent people, and notwithstanding the fact that the DPM’s own bodyguard was shot, and his driver assaulted as criminal elements sent them a message that the criminals were in charge, and notwithstanding the fact that the PLP asserted before the general election that only they had a plan and the answers to crime, my colleagues and I in the FNM remain firm in our resolve to work hand in hand with the Christie Administration to break the back of crime. We are ready, willing and able to present solutions to this national catastrophe.
The Bahamian people have lost confidence in the PLP and their plan.
Urban Renewal was touted as the magic bullet. Despite some positives, this programme has not hit its mark
· Reengagement of numerous retired senior police officers appears to have been counterproductive to Force efficiency and morale and requires reassessment
· Recruitment efforts to strengthen the Force and increase the number of officers on community streets seem to have lagged considerably with harmful consequences
It is time for this government to go back to the drawing board. It is essential that as of today we do not demonstrate—in any way—that life will be business as usual. My colleagues and I insist that the Christie government must do the following:
1. Demonstrate a genuine commitment to Bi-partisanship in the fight against crime. Despite the FNM’s consistent attempts to reach across the isle and offer our hand in cooperation, there has been no genuine effort on the part of the Christie Administration to reach back. The tone from the Minister of State for National Security, Sen. Keith Bell has been belligerent. It is not clear whether he takes his cues from the substantive Minister or from the Prime Minister, but there is clearly no spirit of cooperation from him and he appears to be the major stumbling block to progress as he continues to point fingers and make baseless scandalous political accusations concerning crime rather than keep us safe.
2. Immediately implement a “Zero Tolerance” approach to crime fighting. There is a pervasive view that across all aspects of our daily lives, we have permitted cultures of either criminality or acceptance of criminality to persist. In that regard—far too many of us (politicians included) turn a blind eye to wrongdoing all around us. We must not ignore the small things and address all crime including blatant white collar criminals, many of whom steal from both state and citizen.
3. Come clean with respect to crime statistics. Regaining public confidence starts with reestablishing trust, and right now the public does not trust the numbers and neither do we.
a. Regrettably, there is a dominant view that the numbers are being under reported or…frankly…fudged in order to make some people look good. This type of practice erodes trust and works against the Commissioner and his team. We strongly urge them to reconsider their approach to recording and reporting on the crime statistics.
4. We must take urgent steps to close the Bail Revolving Doors. Despite the Attorney General’s chest thumping claims of success with so-called “swift justice” Bahamians know all to well that the “Revolving Doors” of the criminal justice system are resulting in far too many persons who are charged with serious crimes—including murder—being released on bail. The sad reality of sustained criminality by persons on bail recently led the Commissioner of Police to cry out for help. It is time for us to give him assistance.
a. When the House of Assembly convenes on Wednesday we will give notice of our intent to call for a select committee to undertake a comprehensive review of all aspects of our system of bail. There are far too many aspects of the system that are not working and we must close the revolving doors.
b. A natural follow-on from this action must be a full frontal effort to get to the bottom of the myriad of problems that plague our criminal justice system and prevent the conduct of criminal trails on a timely basis.
i. The old and acceptable norms of lengthy delays must change and this must be one clear example of our unwillingness to accept business as usual in the criminal justice system.
5. All New Providence based FNM MP's have determined that in an effort to confirm the party's commitment to the eradication of crime, every cent of the parliamentary constituency allowance given to FNM MP's shall be spent on ensuring that CCTV cameras are installed in high crime zones throughout their constituencies. We urge our colleagues on the other side to do the same.
6. We must demonstrate resolve in our commitment to punish those who have wreaked havoc and are terrorising our communities. We are determined that we must send a clear and decisive message to the criminal element when it comes to the enforcement of the death penalty. We mean business! In that regard, I wish to advise the public that we intend to table in short order the necessary bill to amend our constitution so that “the worst of the worst" is definable and a murder so labelled by a judge of the Supreme Court shall be shall make the convict liable for execution. We mean business.
7. Finally, I wish to advise the government that with or without their willingness to engage the FNM as constructive partners in the war on crime, we intend to engage the Bahamian people in a full discussion of our ideas to transform our communities and eliminate the criminal elements in our midst.
© Copyright 2013 by thebahamasweekly.com
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