The Tribune

THE opposition Free National Movement claims the police’s “aggressive action” against street vendors, and its hands-off posture with owners of illegal gambling shops, exposes the existence of two standards of law enforcement in the Bahamas.

FNM chairman Darron Cash said the recent police action against vendors is a classic example of doing the right thing in the wrong way at the wrong time.

“The Free National Movement joins thousands of Bahamians in expressing its outrage at the decision of the Royal Bahamas Police Force to arrest roadside/street vendors late last week for doing nothing but trying to earn an honest living,” he said.

“The decision by the police to take aggressive action to curtail the activities of these vendors while turning a blind eye to operators of the illegal numbers businesses is alarming.

“While the FNM acknowledges that these vendors have resorted to aggressive tactics to sell their phone cards and peanuts — sometimes by venturing into the middle of traffic — this action by the police still calls into question the judgment of senior leaders of the force because it gives the clear impression that there is a double standard when it comes to law enforcement.

“There is one standard for the rich and well connected, and another one for the poor man who has no political connection and protection.”

The police action comes on the heels of last week’s downtown parade by supporters of illegal web shops. Mr Cash said some of these venues have been the scenes of consistent violations of anti-money laundering laws, violations of National Insurance and other employment-related laws, violent fights, shoot-outs, and blatant cases of child neglect.

“These direct negative repercussions of the illegal numbers business have never spurred the police to aggressive action against the operators of the illegal operations. In fact, the top police leaders have turned a blind eye to these illegal activities. It appears that they only have eyes for the little man. That cannot be right.”

He said the FNM believes it is not right for the police to take a hard line with the average Bahamian worker as they try to earn an honest living, while those officers and the leaders of the PLP government provided protection and comfort to the owners of the numbers businesses while they paraded in front of the people’s Parliament “with absolutely no fear that they might be arrested.”

“This mind-boggling action by the police is yet another clear example of why Bahamians need to Vote No on both questions on referendum day.

“It is clear that the Christie Administration has every intention of protecting the interest of the rich, powerful and well connected numbers bosses while declaring open season on the average man who is desperately working to earn a decent and honest living,” Mr Cash said.