The Tribune

By DANA SMITH dsmith@tribunemedia.net BAHAMIANS should agree to set a nationwide, self-imposed curfew and "get off the streets" by 10pm in an effort to reduce the chances of becoming crime victims, Bishop Simeon Hall said. A statement released by the New Covenant Baptist Church senior pastor said: "According to the latest crime statistics released recently by the police, most of the crimes, including murder, take place at late night on Saturdays and some in or around bar-rooms." Bishop Hall said it would seem obvious that persons living in those areas should "embrace a self-imposed curfew and remove themselves from the streets." The Bahamas is in "a hostage situation" and criminals are "holding civil society at bay," he said. "I encourage Bahamians everywhere to get off the streets after 10pm." Bishop Hall's comments follow yet another spate of serious crimes - most of which occurred at night or in the early hours of morning. The first murder victim of the new year was stabbed in front of his home on St Michael's Road on new year's day. According to police, the man was found with multiple stab wounds shortly before 11.30pm. The victim was then taken to hospital by ambulance, but he later died. Mario Stuart, cousin of FNM candidate for Bamboo Town Cassius Stuart, was shot in the stomach shortly after 2am on Saturday, January 7, in front of his home in Balls Alley. He was taken to the hospital in a private vehicle where he later died of his injuries. BEC technician Bruce Sands Jr was killed in a drive-by shooting on Christmas morning after he had just left an event at a local nightclub.