The Tribune

ANTI-CRIME activist Rev CB Moss has expressed regret that the government did not consult more widely before drafting the new ‘Marco Alert’ sexual offender laws.

Even as he congratulated the government for moving to protect the public from predators, Rev Moss said his group, Bahamas Against Crime (BAC), had much that it wanted to contribute to the effort.

The legislation, currently being debated in parliament, will establish an official sexual offenders’ register and an alert system for missing children.

“Bahamas Against Crime congratulates the government for bringing this critical piece of legislation to parliament, but expresses grave disappointment that the government did not consult as widely as it could have, and should have, prior to the formulation of the Bill,” said Rev Moss in a statement.

“Following the abduction and murder of little Marco Archer in late September, 2011, Bahamas Against Crime was in the forefront of the loud public call for the urgent implementation of this legislation.

“The horrific murder of Marco is a tragedy that no family should have to endure, and certainly the least our society should do is to make every effort to protect our children from such a fate. After all, our children are the prized asset of our nation.

“To achieve the maximum results, the legislation must incorporate a strong, co-ordinated and collaborative involvement by all stakeholders and not just a casual contact. The law, once passed, must be vigilantly enforced and applied without fear or favour.

“BAC was fully prepared to meet with the government to share its views on this much needed law as a result of its extensive investigation on the matter.

“Unfortunately this typifies the way governments of the Bahamas operate, especially as it relates to crime,” he said. “They apparently feel that they have all of the answers to reducing the level of crime in the country.”

Rev Moss called this attitude an affront to private sector groups, particularly BAC, “which has been in the forefront of the crime fight since 2005, and whose knowledge and experience on the ground is second only to the law enforcement agencies.”

The statement pointed out that BAC made several requests to the government for a meeting, dating back to 2007, without a response.

This, Rev Moss said, is in itself almost a crime as the government should respond to any offer of assistance from a credible entity in the current climate.

He emphasised that the homicide count has surpassed 100 for the third consecutive year, and the number and brutality of crimes appears to be increasing.

“The government must accept that it would have to carry some of the blame for every homicide or other crimes that could have been avoided through obvious consultation with knowledgeable sources,” Rev Moss said.