The Tribune

By PAUL THOMPSON Sr

Former Assistant Commissioner of Police

WE ARE presently engaged in a war against criminals, who are getting bolder.

The murders appear to be emanating from: organised crime groups involved in drug trafficking, which are assassinating those who betray them or are operating on their turf; killings in the course of other crimes, such as rapes and armed robberies; and to a lesser extent domestic violence, altercations, uncontrollable tempers.

In a war such as this it is expected that the good guys (us) will use all of the weapons at our disposal to defeat the enemy and restore peace and good order. Those weapons are in abundance and if efficiently and effectively used, could result in victory in a short period of time.

Some of the weapons available to us may be considered outrageous, inhumane, demanding and could be deemed police harassment. Some may suggest that we are moving towards a Police State.

But we, the good guys, must consider any action taken against a persistent, violent, murderous enemy necessary to reach the desired objective. There will be criticism, but success will prevail.

In the following paragraphs I will discuss those areas in which we are making remarkable progress, but where our efforts are encountering hurdles in other areas of the system.

Slow justice

The police’s work to remove weapons off the streets is commendable. There have been many arrests, but prosecution, conviction and sentencing are being delayed due to attorneys requesting and obtaining long adjournments.

The Gun Court was approved by the government with the hope that justice would be swift. That has not happened and we, the good guys, must correct this situation.

Swift justice and media coverage of the results would be effective in the struggle. Adjournments should be for no longer than two weeks, in particular for those high profile cases. This would be a most important weapon.

Search and seize

It is constitutional and lawful for any law enforcement officer having reasonable grounds to suspect that someone is engaged or about to be engaged in criminal activity to stop, interrogate, search, seize and arrest.

Stop, question, search, seize and arrest – this has to be the focus of ALL law enforcement officers at this time of war.

All must get actively involved. Proceed politely, but firmly. This course of action would help to take more weapons, not just guns, but also knives et cetera, off the streets and those carrying them should be recipients of swift justice. Our courts and prosecutors must be part of this attack.

Immigrants

There are reasonable grounds to believe that certain non-citizens residing here are involved in criminal activity. Research in the police files would confirm this statement.

The status of all such persons must be vigorously investigated and deportation stop-list registry be effected.

The Immigration Department must be committed to fingerprinting, photographing and maintaining records on all illegal immigrants arrested.

The interrogation of immigrants must be intensive to acquire information on human smuggling, eg the identity of boat owners, captains and crew the amount paid for the voyage, any connections that could be identified in Haiti.

The same applies to all nationalities who are being smuggled into the Bahamas.

Deportation after sentences are served or fines are paid was frequently recommended by magistrates decades ago. It is very effective when dealing with criminals who are not citizens. It would rid the enemy of some of its soldiers and could serve as a preventative measure, in that it would be a warning to others.

Tracing firearms

It is important for the good guys to acquire information indicating the sources from which firearms emanate. Such information could be very effective in the war.

We must consider firearms examinations an important means of obtaining evidence that could identify and convict violent criminals.

Firearms examiners here in the Bahamas would be a major asset.

Law enforcement officers must be tactful in their efforts to obtain information about weapons suppliers from persons arrested with firearms.

Such information would reveal to the troops of the good guys, the places to attack to find weapons.

Tracing and forfeiture of drug proceeds

It is believed that the money used by organised criminals to hire persons to perpetrate violent acts against competitors comes from drug barons and traffickers, local and foreign.

The USA, in its war against Al Qaeda, used every means to stop the flow of money to terrorist organisations, which resulted in major setbacks and the eradication of many such groups.

The same must be done by the good guys here.

The laws are there. Those persons responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws must begin to do so.

We can put a dent in the funding of crime by going after the assets of criminals. Such action must be immediate. Reduce their assets and the money they use to pay for crime and attorneys will be reduced.

Shanty towns

Action by law enforcement officers to remove shanty towns does not need to await government approval.

The police are responsible for the prevention and detection of crime and the maintenance of peace and good order.

Persons residing in shanty towns are in contravention of the laws regarding town planning, building codes, environmental regulations and abstracting electricity.

The government committee’s report disclosed breaches of the Shop and Liquor Licence Act. The police and the Immigration Department must have reasonable grounds to suspect that there are that there are persons residing in the shanty towns who committed crime in our communities.

Law enforcement agencies can take action without any directions from government, except that the demolitions must be done with appropriate notice being given to the residents.

The good guys could have our troops enter, identify, search and apprehend all law breakers residing in shanty towns.

The medical report on shanty towns should be frightening to all Bahamians and others residing here.

There must be a planned attack on all shanty towns by the police, Immigration officers and the Defence Force.

Passenger manifests

Police should consider having airlines provide passenger manifests for scrutiny by the Intelligence Unit.

Movement of criminals between New Providence and the US, Caribbean and Latin America could provide valuable information for investigations.

Some of the murders are deemed to be committed by paid assassins. Scrutiny of airline passenger manifests by intelligence personnel may find dates and names of frequent visitors and compare the arrival and departure dates with the dates of murders.

In war, one has to look for any weakeness of the enemy and target that weakness for attack.

Customs

The Customs Department must be equipped with technology to detect firearms and ammunition. Officers have been vigilant, but would be able to do more with proper equipment.

It would be helpful if Customs officers would undertake the task of prohibiting vehicles with tinted glasses from entry until the tint is removed or the importer produces the appropriate document indicating authorisation to have tinted glass.

Crime prevention

Crime prevention and crime prevention education provided by the police are not given the attention they deserve by the community.

Home invasions, which are very scary, could be reduced if homeowners would seek expert advice about locking devices and alarms.

A neighbourhood watch is very essential and so are alarm systems with panic buttons.

Vehicle thefts could be reduced with the installation of efficient and effective anti-theft systems, such as GPS – something that could be encouraged by insurance companies, allies in the war.

In any war, defence is a crucial feature. Crime prevention is a form of defence. Being vigilant, alert and suspicious are other forms of defence. Notify, Identify and Testify are three valuable weapons for use by the good guys.

Vagrancy and unlawful possession

The Vagrancy Act and unlawful possession are other effective weapons.

From the 1950s to the 70s, the police used these laws successfully to curb criminal activity.

Persons found loitering or observed soliciting were apprehended and charged under the vagrancy act and had to convince a magistrate that they had lawful reasons for being in the location and were not there to commit a crime.

Persons found in possession of items suspected of being stolen were charged with unlawful possession and had to convince a court that the items were acquired lawfully.

This section of the law could be effectively used in the investigation of Cash for Gold operations and junk dealers – who should be made to account for all the gold, copper and other valuable metals found on their premises.

Both gold and copper are valuable targets for criminals, and acquiring them involves crimes such as murder, armed robbery, home invasions and snatchings, to name a few.

These crimes have increased since the introduction of these operations.

Law enforcement and the people of the Bahamas must demand their closure.

• To be continued next Monday