Dr Bernard Nottage
By KYLE WALKINE
Tribune Staff Reporter
kwalkine@tribunemedia.net
FNM Deputy Chairman Dr Duane Sands said yesterday he believes National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage should apologise for not painting an accurate picture of the country’s crime problem when he gave crime statistics in the House of Assembly last week.
Newly released crime statistics show that up to June 10, the murder rate across the Bahamas rose by nine per cent compared to the same period last year.
Last week during his contribution to the annual budget debate, Dr Nottage announced that crime is generally trending downward. He said the period of January 1 to June 10 showed a four per cent decrease in murder in New Providence compared to the same period last year.
While Dr Nottage did note that the country had recorded 62 murders at the time of his presentation on June 18, he did not indicate the national rise in the murder rate of nine per cent. Nor did he mention that as of June 10, Grand Bahama’s murder rate had doubled compared to the same period last year.
Crime statistics up to June 10 also show that there have also been two cases of manslaughter, compared to none recorded for 2013.
Dr Sands said the context of Dr Nottage’s speech shows that he was trying to reassure Bahamians that murder was down.
“It’s unfortunate that we have to play these games in order to make a statement to reassure the public that the government is fighting crime,” Dr Sands said. “Yes, the statistics may show that murder is down in New Providence. But you are not only speaking to the people of New Providence, but the Bahamas as a whole. I seriously doubt that it was an accidental decision.”
The FNM deputy chairman also criticised recent statements from State Minister for National Security Keith Bell.
On Tuesday Mr Bell told The Tribune that he hopes that by 2016, as a result of policies being implemented by the government, the country would see a murder rate of 40 maximum.
“Well, they say faith without works is dead,” Dr Sands said. “I’m sure that all Bahamians hope that the murder count would decrease. However, it was this same government who, while on the campaign trail, made it seem as though the high murder rate was directly due to the FNM. It’s interesting to see now how their rhetoric has changed.”
Dr Sands said he is sure the Progressive Liberal Party now regrets putting up billboards in 2012 highlighting 400 plus murders under the Ingraham administration.
“At some point in time, not only these ministers, but the entire PLP Cabinet should admit to the Bahamian people that what they did was a mistake,” Dr. Sands said, speaking of what he calls the PLP’s false crime relief promises.
“Clearly they don’t have the solutions they promised. So now, according to them, crime should no longer be talked about. Ain’t that something.”
Dr Sands said Senator Keith Bell’s performance as state minister for national security has been “nothing short of mediocre”.
He added that Mr Bell has been more of an “impediment” than a help to Dr Nottage.
Comments
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 5 months ago
I agree, he should address this. While in general people are concerned about all categories of crime, their biggest concern is the murder rate, to make a statement that crime is trending down when the murder rate is not even "trending" up, IT IS UP, is a deliberate attempt to deceive. Can't call it anything else. UR is a failure. I have no doubt that reaching out to the community works, but inspectors with big bellies and sticks are smiling at old men and women while their younger subordinates are committing exhortion and beating those same neighborhood people black and blue.
Well_mudda_take_sic 10 years, 5 months ago
Ahh, my favorite picture of Nottage taken from within his jail cell where he belongs! His suit though needs to be photoshopped to an orange colour to really make my day. This guy has been such an abject failure when it comes to putting in place policies and procedures to deal with the very high level of crime in all areas of our country. IF HE WERE INCLINED TO DO HIS JOB, HE SHOULD START BY ROUNDING UP THE KNOWN MOBSTERS AND RACKETEERS RUNNING ILLICIT GAMING OPERATIONS! But it certainly seems the Numbers' Bosses have him in their pockets too. What a joke this man has become!
Cobalt 10 years, 5 months ago
Not only is he a joke... his entire party; his entire government is a joke. But we the Bahamian people are NOT laughing!!
Cobalt 10 years, 5 months ago
Bahamas!!! Can we please please please organize a REAL GOVERNMENT!!! The PLP is an incompetent, idiotic, impotent, corrupt, worthless, excuse riddled, hapless bunch of crooked, deceitful, undeserving, liars!!! Where have all our REAL men gone??? Where are our leaders bounded by honesty, integrity, decency, and honor??? Can't we do better than this??? Is there at least one capable, viable leader in this country??? I had an epiphany the other day when I tried to classify exactly what's wrong with this country. It suddenly dawned on me that since becoming an independent nation (not under the UBP), the Bahamas has never had a leader who hasn't been influenced by the destructive, nation-destroying, characteristics of the PLP! From Lynden Pindling, to Hubert Ingraham, to Perry Christie; all have them been ushered into politics through the ranks of the PLP and are likewise skilled in the debilitating, victimizing, selfish, tactics consistent with this government. This pattern that they are known for is undoubtably destroying our country! Lie after lie after lie after lie!!! Failure after failure after failure after failure!!! When are we going to decide that enough is enough?!?! Worthless politicians like Bernard Nottage have been around since the silent era! Ironically, since then our nation has continually regressed! Do we really think that this is a coincidence??? Of course not! How do we expect our nation to progress when we keep placing imbeciles like he and Perry Christie in positions of power?!?! (Suck my teet) Where's my blood pressure medicine?
sheeprunner12 10 years, 5 months ago
I feel your pain ............. imagine living in the Republic of Long Island
jlcandu 10 years, 5 months ago
Cobalt,
You have summarized what most intelligent Bahamians feel. Unfortunately these politicians continue to be re-elected for a few hundred dollars on voting day, and free drinks and food at rallies. The people who re-elect these idiots election after election have no desire to change this place. They like it just the way it is ...
God help us all!!!!
John 10 years, 5 months ago
COBALT for Prime Minister!!! (NOT)
TalRussell 10 years, 5 months ago
Your Majesty, is this really the House of Assembly Group of 8, Your Majesty is willing to risk your Royal reputation on, after all - they're still selling themselves all over Bahamaland (even if laughably so ) as Your Majesty's Official Government In Waiting? Good Lord Almighty, how can Duane and his red colleagues be expected to deal with serious crime matters, when even a "so-called" death threat, supposedly made against Duane in a letter to his party, his own party's Chairman Daron, all by heself, decided NOT to share such "important" information with Duane or even Loretta who was also named in the same death threat letter? Talk about hiding threatening to life crime matters from your own party colleagues? In fact, Daron said he never informed the policeman's about the death threats, which also included a death threat against Minnis? Red Comrades, Daron ,,, him is your Chairman...enjoy each and every day you keep him in his position.
haitianboy 10 years, 5 months ago
If the populace really knew how bad crime has gotten there would be a nation wide panic; people would be afraid to venture out of their homes and socialize outdoors and tourist would hesitate to travel to the Bahamas.
I have a lot of friends who are police officers, they told me if every serious crime was reported in this country it would have a serious impact on the economy.
Crime is never a political problem rather a social problem. Prime Minister Perry Christie, Bernard Nottage and Hubert Minnis cannot prevent a murder or an arm robbery. It all goes back to proper parenting and instilling Godly values in children from the time they can walk and talk. Parents also must lead by example, children mimic just about everything they do.
We as parents must ensure that we are doing our very best to raise our children; not just financially but with our time and positive presence in the home and community.
sheeprunner12 10 years, 5 months ago
Crime brought about by Jamaicans and Haitians infiltrating our society, our law enforcement, social services, economic, education and health systems ........... now even our Junkanoo!!!!!!!! Next will be Parliament........ oh I forget........ we already have a Haitian representing the Queen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
asiseeit 10 years, 5 months ago
These children we have that are supposedly our leaders just need to be put into time out. They finger point (they did it so I can too), lie, cheat, steal, do not share, cry when caught, and play like they can't hear when needed. A bunch of Kindergarten CHILDREN if ever there was! So there you have it Bahamas, that's why this country is so screwed, we have spoiled little children in the drivers seat. Bunch of BIG BABY"S!
John 10 years, 5 months ago
The thing with statistics is that anyone can extrapolate numbers to support a position they want to portray or ignore other numbers to cover up things they do not want to expose. The minister while saying that crime on the whole was down or trending down, he did acknowledge that the murder count was now 62 and has surpassed last year's count. This is despite other areas of crime being on the decline. Give him three months of summer to determine if his report continues to hold true. Every Bahamian would be happy if he is correct that crime is trending down and they would be even more happy if the murder rate follows that trend One thing that should concern everyone is the number of police cars that on the roads seemingly all day and every day of late. The fuel bill to operate like this must be huge. Wouldn't it make more sense to have some of these cars parked in strategic locations at least part of the day to reduce fuel costs? Shopping centers, banks, vacant lots, gas stations or near parks etc?
John 10 years, 5 months ago
'Strong
John 10 years, 5 months ago
"***On Tuesday Mr Bell told The Tribune that he hopes that by 2016, as a result of policies being implemented by the government, the country would see a murder rate of 40 maximum.
“Well, they say faith without works is dead,” Dr Sands said***
. IF faith without works is dead then, works without faith must also be in vain. Statistics show that SEVENTY PERCENT of all murders involve someone who is already on bail for murder. The person on bail either commits another murder or becomes the victim of one. So if bail was denied to persons who have already killed someone, either by speedy trials or revising the bail act, murders should decrease by close to SEVENTY PERCENT. Apply that to last year's number of 112 murders and the number should come down to 37 murders, all other things being equal. So Da Bell's ambition to bring the rate down to 40 is not unachievable or unrealistic. . "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your[a] works, and I will show you my faith by my[b] works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?[c] 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? .
"25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?" James 2:14-25
John 10 years, 5 months ago
What is a doctor without faith? So you will cut open a patient not believing your efforts will save his life or at least make him well? Then you are no more than a butcher! If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you--you of little faith?
Matthew 8:27 The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"
Matthew 14:31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
Matthew 16:8 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, "You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?
Matthew 17:20 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
Mark 4:39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
Luke 4:35 "Be quiet!" Jesus said sternly. "Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him. . as it was in the beginning, so shall it be in the end...
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