The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Deputy Chief Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

ON THE heels of a brazen supermarket armed robbery and another recorded homicide in the capital, Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr Hubert Minnis said he was “disappointed” that the Christie administration has failed to arrest criminal acts in this country where Bahamians have become “prisoners” in their own homes.

Speaking to The Tribune yesterday, Dr Minnis said the Bahamian people will without doubt judge the government on its failure to get a handle on crime.

Yesterday, more than a dozen shoppers were trapped inside Super Value on West Bay Street and forced to retreat to restrooms in search of safety after armed men entered the store demanding cash.

Dr Minnis said he often frequents this grocery store, which made the unfortunate event much more frightening for him.

Hours later, police discovered the lifeless body of a man who was shot to death at Palm Tree Avenue. The incident took the country’s homicide count to 92 for the year, according to The Tribune’s records.

A man was also shot to death on Friday night on a service road just off of Melvern Road in Yellow Elder Gardens.

Despite the fact that Chief Superintendent Clayton Fernander just last week insisted that the public had “no need to be afraid”, crime continues to be concerning for Bahamians.

Dr Minnis questioned how Bahamians were expected to feel safe as they carry out daily activities.

“The Progressive Liberal Party wants to celebrate that crime is going down but they need to tell that to the Bahamians who feel the effects of crime every day,” the Killarney MP said.

“We just had another murder and the supermarket has been robbed. Individuals don’t feel safe in their homes or anywhere. Now you are worried about going to the supermarket, you are concerned about going to church, you are concerned about going out for leisure activities.

“They do not have a handle on the crime situation and Bahamians cannot continue to live in fear. They are driving a situation where homes are becoming self-contained prisons. Bahamians’ quality of life has been decreased.”

Chief Supt Fernander, officer-in-charge of the Central Detective Unit, made his declaration regarding crime last Tuesday after a woman was killed and two other people were transported to hospital following a drive by shooting at the Sand Trap on West Bay Street. The shooting happened at around 8pm on Monday.

Shortly after the incident, rumours began to circulate on social media warning Bahamians to stay inside their homes because a “gang war” erupted.

At the time he said: “We have heard the rumours of persons talking about retaliation this weekend but this is no time for alarm. We are out there, the police are on the streets and we are in the fight. These people will put anything on social media to cause panic and to put people in fear. We are in control of this country, not these gangs. We will continue to be out there and continue to go after these persons who believe they can break the law.”