By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE country’s latest murder victim was the third teenager to be shot and killed within the last five days.
He was nearly the 20th person shot since the Minister of National Security expressed confidence in the law enforcement strategies in place ahead of the traditionally crime-ridden holiday season.
The victim, 17, died after being shot in the Union Village area at around 3pm yesterday.
Supt Stephen Dean said he was standing in front of a house when he was approached by a man armed with a handgun and shot multiple times.
The culprit fled on foot and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
His death came a day after police officially identified the two teenagers who were shot and killed last week.
The first was 18-year old Sylvester Woodside, of Jubilee Gardens, who was shot on Lignum Vitae Boulevard on Thursday.
The other was Thon Thompson, 17, of Pinedale. He was shot on Minnie Street the same day.
A few days before this, eight people were shot, two of them dying, in the space of 24 hours in what the police later confirmed was an attack and retaliation scenario.
In all, at least 18 people have been shot, five killed and several others harmed – including a police officer attacked by two men wielding a knife and a screwdriver – since Minister of National Security Bernard Nottage said he is satisfied police are “doing what they have to do” to ensure a safe holiday season. This was a little over two weeks ago.
In making this comment, Dr Nottage was declining to comment on whether the 12-hour shift system for police had indeed been brought to an end.
In September, he announced the introduction of the 12-hour shift for all police officers as necessary in the fight against violent crime.
At the time of the announcement, it was said that desk officers and even Police Band members would have to take to the streets, with Defence Force marines picking up the slack.
Law enforcement officials have praised the effort, citing favourable results, but crime statistics substantiating these claims have yet to be released.
Then, a few weeks ago, with the usually high-crime holiday season approaching, reports suddenly surfaced that the 12-hour scheme had been scrapped amid complaints from the Police Staff Association.
Though he had announced it, when asked to definitely confirm that the shift system had ended, Dr Nottage passed responsibility off to the Police Commissioner, who has declined to comment on the issue.
When the extended shift system was first launched, former gang leader-turned community activist Valentino “Scrooge” Brown told The Tribune it would only affect crime in the short term.
“All you do is slow it down for a second,” he said.
“As a criminal, this is what I’m gonna do: the police are hot, the Defence Force are hot, well, I turn a citizen like you. So now I’m doing the things you do – I ain’t toting no gun, I ain’t selling no drugs. I’m stashing all my guns, I’m telling all my boys who I involved with, ‘Look here, we ain’t doing nothing, The Man hot,’” he explained.
“So, as quick as The Man done finish their 24-hour shift, and everything done cool off a month, two months later, we gonna get my enemies.”
Comments
John 10 years, 11 months ago
A COMMON SESNSE APPROACH TO COMMON SENSE: IF THREE MEN ARE IN A BOAT and the boat is taking on water at 20 gallons a minute but the men can only bail out 15 gallons a minute, would you agree that some point the boat will become swamped and eventually sink? Would you agree that the number of murderers, the number of persons accused, suspected of murder or on bail for murder are greater than of any other time I the modern history of the Bahamas? Would you further agree that he number of persons accused of and evading capture for robbery, rape car theft and other serious crime is also at an all time high. Higher than ever before. Would you also agree one more time that the number of police cars on the streets, the number of police man-hours and other crime fighting resources are at their highest level in recent times?. And would you agree that the number of persons mourning for slayed loved ones or friends and persons aggrieved for losses due to robberies, rapes, car thefts, maiming and so forth is at an all time high? So why then are we not seeing a reduction in crime? Just like the three men in the boat, they are using all their resources they have to bail the water out the boat. But since water is coming I faster that they can bail it out, they will eventually sink. So despite the amount of resources and manpower being used in the Bahamas, the majority of persons committing murder and serious crime in this country still remains in society. The bible says thieves and murderers come to kill and to destroy ads they should be taken out of society (they should not remain among the ordinary people for obvious reasons, like continuing to commit crimes and teaching or persuading others to do the same). Whether it is by capital punishment or life or appropriate time in prison, there will be no reduction in crime, murders especially until we take the persons who commit these crimes rom amongst us. But like the commissioner of police says, he continue to see the same doing the same crimes for which they were arrested and locked up for. So let us continue to weep and bail water in vain...may the dead rest in peace.
. .Revelation 21:8 - But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death
John 8:44 Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
jt 10 years, 11 months ago
Let's quote the Bible until crime stops.
spoitier 10 years, 11 months ago
He made some good points before the using of scriptures. So you would have to look at the post as a whole before condemning it.
John 10 years, 11 months ago
let's quote the bible until you give us a better idea..Amen!
concernedcitizen 10 years, 11 months ago
How come in countries where people shove religion in your face relentlessly ,christian or islam ,violence is so high ??,and in more liberal less overtly religious countries ,ie Norway ,Denmark etc violent crime is the lowest in the world ,,Just a thought
John 10 years, 11 months ago
The answer to that is a simple one, but I am not in the mind to answer right now..but I will try later ..it is not my intention to confuse or mislead..so it would only be my belief..because the same can be said for Russia, parts of China and Japan.
B_I_D___ 10 years, 11 months ago
Religion here in the Bahamas is seriously screwed up...you have people in debt, people in serious health issues, people in all these dire straights, but instead of facing head on what will fix their problem...and in most cases, the poor budgeting and bad moral decisions, they all fall back on religion, and let us pray, and God will see us through...let me over spend, let me neglect my children and family, let me have 30 kids...when I cannot provide, and my kids turn to crime...let's praise the Lord and he shall provide. B.S.
John 10 years, 11 months ago
Name two persons you know that have 30 kids in the Bahamas, name two that has 25, name 1 that has 20 or 18...let us pray!
B_I_D___ 10 years, 11 months ago
Interesting discussion earlier with some higher ups in the police force. Comment basically was that the current generation of 'teenagers' were a lost cause, they are not looking to 'redirect' those individuals...they are focusing on the kids in the primary school...which, I am NOT saying is a bad thing...just the comments that the teenage crew are so far gone that they are not going to focus any attention on them except to arrest and intervene. We are going down a very scary path way...that according to John...will be all better and focused because of his belief in God. I will go attend church like most on Sunday...and pray...and repent...so I can discard all those beliefs from Monday through Saturday...and do it al over again.
John 10 years, 11 months ago
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
New Living Translation For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
English Standard Version For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
New American Standard Bible For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places
This explains all. While non believers seem to be at peace, Christian and other religious folk are at war and under siege. Well if you do not believe in God then satan has no qualm with you, in fact he has you conquered already so he will let you live in peace until there is sudden destruction. The wicked one will not fight against his own people but against God's anointed, elected or chosen people. In countries like the Bahamas, satan''s intent is to make lives as miserable as possible, to discredit God and to test the faith of the saints. Yes many feel that the battle against evil, and death and misery is being loss but God encourages us to put on the full armour so that we can endure the wicked schemes of the devil that we are now experiencing. He encourages us to endure 'til the end and those who endure to the the end the same will be saved :"Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. 13"But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. 14"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.,,he that endureth to the end will be will be saved......Mark 13:13 "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 13"You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved, Do not be afraid, God does not like the fearful..time to stand up and do battle, there are souls are to be won.
concernedcitizen 10 years, 11 months ago
many people progressive countries like Norway ,Denmark etc do believe in God they just keep it as a personal choice and don,t shove it in peoples faces and condem those w/ other believes ,agnostic ,isalm ,budhist to enternity in a burning pit ,and yet they have the lowest violent crime rates in the world ..ITS SIMPLE HERE WE ARE MAKING MORE CHILDREN W/ ABSENT FATHERS THAN OUR GDP CAN ABSORB B/C OF OUR IRRESPONSIBLE SEXUAL HABITS AND MALE CRAP VIEWS ABOUT BEING ABLE TO MAKE A CHILD MAKES YOU A MAN ,,THEREFORE CRIME AND VIOLENCE WILL INCREASE ..THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING ..BAHAMAS 26 MURDERS PER 100,000,,NORWAY ETC LESS THAN 2 PER 100,000 ,,NO GOD/DEVIL BALONEY ITS JUST PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY ..,BUT IF USING THE DEVIL AS A BIG COP OUT MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER ,HAVE AT IT ..
John 10 years, 11 months ago
Unless you can show where the birth ate in the Bahamas is outrageously different from anywhere else in the Caribbean or the world, except like in china and japan, where there are restrictions on births, then you need to stop your rantings about the out-of-control birth rate in the Bahamas. We are a growing nation. The family sizes on the Family Islands are larger than in New Providence and Grand Bahama but their crime rate is like Norway and Denmark and Sweden. Our problem is more a lack of education on the role of the father and parenting skills as opposed to 'irresponsible sexual habits' So stop with it or put up the proof (along with the happy phone card vendors that you know personally)!!
concernedcitizen 10 years, 11 months ago
75% ILLEGITAMACY RATE,,OH YEAH THE REST OF THE CARIBBEAN IS DOING JUST FINE MAKING MORE CHILDREN W ABSENTEE FATHERS THAN THE GDP CAN ABSORB ,,IE JAMAICA /HAITI ...BEING ABLE TO OVERPAY PHONE CARDS VENDORS WHEN YOU STICK THE PUBLIC W/ THE HIGHEST MINUTE RATES IN THE REGION IS NO GREAT FEAT ..HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEW MINUTE RATES W/ DATA INCLUDED BTC IS OFFERING POST PAID CUSTOMERS W/ PLANS ,,,THATS CALLED PRIVATIZATION ..
rony 10 years, 11 months ago
Well you are still a person that thinks Bahamians are having more kids than the Haitians here in The Bahamas.
concernedcitizen 10 years, 11 months ago
@ John you are saying there is so much violence here b/c we are so godly ..lmfao
bismark 10 years, 11 months ago
illegitimate children was always a problem,it spiked high in the eighties when the drug culture was rampant,we are now reaping the results of all those teenage pregnancies.
John 10 years, 11 months ago
JESUS CHRIST did not have an earthly father, ..but Joseph stepped up to the plate and made the difference. the problem with the Bahamas mostly is that we have let foreign forces interfere with our relationship with God, Right now at this moment most of our young people are not getting killed for economic purposes. They are dying because they fear the boogey man. So they join (satanic) gangs that deceive them and promise protection, then they (the gang) tell them to go out and kill someone. If they fail, they themselves become a victim. This generation does not have to be lost. Parents bring your children back to the church and to salvation. Once they know God they will not kill. If they are a victim of murder their soul will live on and you can live in peace knowing that your children will not suffer eternal damnation. The brothers and friends will not need to seek revenge and Grandparents will not need to question God and say thing like ," I raise that boy and I did not bring him up to be like this..to kill peple." The bible says not to worry about those who can kill or destroy the flees but worry about those who are after your soul. God is still in control.
jt 10 years, 11 months ago
Concerned citizen is exactly right. As for illegitimate babies "spiking in the eighties" Bismarck, where do you live? Because it must not be here in the Bahamas. This is the problem. Until we address it head-on, warts and all, nothing changes. No amount of prayer/bible quoting will change the lack of sex education and family planning we suffer as a country. We need a radical overhaul of our attitude toward our youth.
John 10 years, 11 months ago
If you really want to start on illegitimate babies, it really started in the slave era..masters impregnating their slave women to make house servants and to brag at the next tea party about how many kids they fathered (is that where the name kid came from?) and to make house servants. Buc slaves being transported from plantation to plantation to make field slaves. Experiments going on with cross breeding and interbreeding to make a more desireable slave, more productive, stronger, you name it. Male slaves being separated from their wives and families and sold off fro social or economic reasons. So it all goes back to the same thing "Blame Whitey!" lmao
jt 10 years, 11 months ago
P.s. if God was in control do you think all these innocent people would be hurt/maimed/killed? If so, that's not a God I want any part of. Maybe you should look up "control".
Bahamianpride 10 years, 11 months ago
Religion is the Opiate of the Mases..(Karl Marx)
John 10 years, 11 months ago
if you agree with everything Karl Marx wrote you wouldn't be living in the Bahamas (This Bahamas) for sure.
jacko 10 years, 11 months ago
Some of yall is make me sick all of a sudden yall pulling out Bible scriptures and yall wont event let School Children cross the road or even let a car out the corner or when yall eating ya big time meal and uno your neighbor cant find food to eat ,yall remember the rich man who wanted to follow Jesus and the Lord tell him sell or your wealth and give to the poor ,what did the rich man did?these killing will get worst until we wake up
John 10 years, 11 months ago
@ Jt: "You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved, does that answer your question? God does not want you to die for him, he wants you to live for him. It is satan who wants you dead. Lucifer is a condemned man. His future is in the bottomless pit, the lake of fire..he is looking for company to go with him..are you going jt?
rony 10 years, 11 months ago
"Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would christ Ephesians 6:5. When I read things like this in the bible I stepped back from it, I do believe in God that's it. So keep praying to your blonde hair blue eyed Jesus.
John 10 years, 11 months ago
The bible is only telling slaves that 'it is better to be a living slave than to be a dead rebel. Look at Joseph, for example, even the Pharaoh's wife told lies on him and got him in jail, his clean and good character brought him back to the throne. When God could not reach many kings and rulers, he used their servants to get the message across, because their servants were honest, obedient and God fearing people, and they were trusted by their masters, Look even at the Haitians, despite their adversities and hardship they are some of the most resilient people in the world..and they continue to serve God...for those who endure to the end..the reward is not of this earth. And God says we are made in his image. I saw little boy looking in the mirror, just staring at his own self.. So I asked him what was he doing. He said he was praying. So I asked 'why are you looking in the mirror to pray'. His response was that God said we were made in his own image so he is looking at God when he pray. So when I pray I vision someone like my own self also..amen
rony 10 years, 11 months ago
Ohhhhk! It's clear you are one of those over the top Christian people. I will never follow something that encourages slavery.
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