Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander at a press conference at Police Headquarters. Photo: Dante Carrer
By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
GANG members refused to answer critical questions about violence in the country when Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander and Bahamas Christian Council leaders met them over the weekend.
Commissioner Fernander told reporters during a press conference that the alleged gang members were in custody for the entire weekend.
He said the men were separated and members of the Christian Council spoke to them along with police investigators.
He said there was “tension in that room with those young boys” and “everybody head is down”.
“We wanted to know why, why you’re killing one another? What is going on out there? What can we do to intervene and to save some lives, and we got no response.”
He said despite their silence, police won’t stop fighting to save the youth and to tackle crime. He said police plan to work with parents and target hot spot communities.
“We will not let them reach these young people that is out there,” he said. “I should’ve had a Bible to hold up my right hand. This Royal Bahamas Police Force will do whatever it takes to save a number of these youngsters who we know if left unattended, these same senior criminals who control these gangs recruit those ones.”
Opposition leader Michael Pintard last week urged the government to have a conclave with gang leaders to figure out how to stop the bloodshed in the country.
The call came as murders soar in the country, with eight people killed so far for the year.
Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis decried the country’s increasing murder rate on Sunday, saying it “has taken on a horrifyingly new level of brutality and barbarity”.
“Something has indeed gone very, very wrong in our society,” he said at the RBPF’s annual church service on Sunday.
At the event, Mr Davis also invited the Christian Council to hold a National Day of Prayer for healing and comfort.
He said more will be said in the coming weeks about “a strategic initiative to implement a ‘whole government response’ to tackling gang crime”.
Comments
Pastor_Cedric_Moss 11 months, 3 weeks ago
I'm very confused by this. On what legitimate basis could the Police Commissioner meet with gang members? It is a crime to belong to a gang; yes, we have a very elaborate law against gang membership. If the Police Commissioner knows that particular individuals are in gangs and met with them on that basis, why did he not have them arrested? More and more we are seeing why lawlessness abounds in our country. We have laws but don't enforce them.
ScubaSteve 11 months, 3 weeks ago
Wait... now I'm confused. Is it really a crime to belong to a gang? On what grounds is that illegal? I'm truly interested in hearing an answer. Thanks!
Pastor_Cedric_Moss 11 months, 2 weeks ago
This news article answers your questions.
https://www.thenassauguardian.com/news/…
ThisIsOurs 11 months, 3 weeks ago
I think speaking to the perpetrators is the way to go, unfortunately this was a badly bumbled attempt at it. They did this in South Africa I believe led by Desmond Tutu. I know the Commissioner means well and he wants this problem solved, beating suspects doesnt work, advertising that youre trying to get information out of gang members is a death sentence to them, as odd as that sounds. They will speak when they trust that the person on their boss payroll doesn't report back.
birdiestrachan 11 months, 3 weeks ago
GANG MEMBERS ARE NOT free THEY CAN GET INTO TROUBLE WITH OTHER GANG MEMBERS tHEY DO NOT WAKE UP AND DECIDE TO LEAVE THE OTHERS WOULD NOT allow THEM TO DO SO
moncurcool 11 months, 3 weeks ago
When you have a COP like this, it becomes evident why crime is the way it is. An the COP seems shocked by the silence.
ThisIsOurs 11 months, 3 weeks ago
The strategy was odd. (They probably saw their boy walking by the door in red stripes). And then to broadcast it, noone really will say anything now.
You know this is no different than a normal Bahamian citizen. Ask any MP how so and so get this contract? Silence. Ask any PS to speak to the public. Silence. Ask any civil servant what going on in this ministry. Silence. We are all in our own gang of some sort and we all know the danger of speaking. Unless you trust the person youre speaking to
joeblow 11 months, 3 weeks ago
... the family is the foundation of a community and 70%+ of families in this country are single parent ignoramuses. The individual is the foundation of the family, raised by people who do not understand concepts of love, responsibility and community.
When families fail to produce individuals that respect themselves, others and the laws of the community they live in, lawlessness is the natural result. Its not hard. We must enforce current laws, while educating people on the dangers of being ignorant and having children they do not have the maturity, emotional capacity or finances to support. Then, things might change in 20 years!
ThisIsOurs 11 months, 3 weeks ago
"said there was “tension in that room with those young boys” and “everybody head is down”
Its no mystery, they dont trust you.
Sickened 11 months, 3 weeks ago
This attempt was hilarious. Sorry to say. It's like asking a class of 30 kids "who through the eraser", you know not one person is going to say anything because of the shame and ridicule forever from their classmates. However, if a trusted teacher speaks to some of the students alone and without anyone else knowing about it, they will most likely get the answer.
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