FNM leader Hubert Minnis
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis said crime is “out of control” as he urged the government to disclose what impact, if any, its highly-touted Urban Renewal initiative has had on the problem.
Dr Minnis added that his party will not make any promises about crime that it cannot keep should it win the next election, but will continue to hold the Christie administration accountable over its election campaign promise to reduce violent crime.
Crime was a popular talking point before the last election, with the PLP using it as a key element in its campaign. The party erected several billboards around New Providence, many in areas visited by tourists, that said more than 400 murders had taken place during the last Ingraham administration.
Dr Minnis’ statements came yesterday after the country’s murder rate for the year climbed to 97, according to The Tribune’s count, following recent killings in the Blair and Fox Hill areas.
“If you make a promise, I’m going to hold your feet to that promise,” he told The Tribune. “But the FNM will not make promises. As a physician, I bring my training to politics. We as physicians have to speak the truth. We cannot lie to the patient, just like how I will not lie to the nation.”
Dr Minnis called on government officials to account to the Bahamian people on the impact its primary crime fighting tool, Urban Renewal 2.0, has had on crime reduction.
“They are not reporting to us on Urban Renewal,” he said, adding that the government would be “bragging about” the programme had it accomplished what it set out to do.
“A transparent and accountable government would report on the results and impact of its primary crime fighting tool. This government hasn’t done that,” he said.
“I need to see the scientific data about Urban Renewal. When homes are being threatened with home invasion, especially when many are manned by single parent females, people are becoming more frightened. Homes are sacred ground. When we don’t feel safe that is a serious concern and where our sons and daughters are being killed in homes via invasion, and mothers and sisters are being raped, that has series implications on our future survival.
“Like the government, crime is out of control,” the Killarney MP added. “People are becoming even more fearful, not only within their homes, but outside their homes. The question that must be asked: do you feel safer today than two years ago? The government seems confused on the crime matter as they appear out of their depth.
“Christie, the prime minister, said they will go back to the drawing board. Nottage said they don’t need to go back because they’re always at the drawing board. Well I say it appears they are sleeping at the drawing board. (Senator Keith) Bell said rape is going up. Commissioner said it’s trending down.
“So I ask the question: do they not strategise? Do they review together or are they working apart with their separate views? Who is really in control? We know the criminals trying to take control.”
Dr Minnis added that it is obvious the government’s crime fighting methods are not working. He said national security officials and law enforcement appear disjointed in their approach.
Comments
dehavmoss 10 years ago
Dr. Minnis suggestion that he will not lie to the nation on crime clearly suggests my assertion that the Commissioner of Police (COP) is not in control of policing the Bahamas.
Crime statistics should fall under the COP administrative duties and not the office of the prime minister or any other cabinet minister. Like I said the COP should call it as he sees it.
TalRussell 10 years ago
OK Comrades it's OK for the leader and the deputy red leader to mislead the public for over 2 years about their political dislikes each other? To duck the truth behind why these two had refused to call for a red party convention as mandated by their own party's constitution? With all due respect Comrade Minnis, if you wouldn't tell when Loretta was throwing her political bricks through your leadership window - why you think da people gonna believe you will tell all now? Besides, Comrade Brent is soon going upset both you's red leadership expectations
hurricane 10 years ago
I wish there was a way to block your comments from showing up on my screen...effing comrade 'xyz' idiot!
happyfly 10 years ago
Can we raise a fund to send Tal to live in Cuba for 6 months ? Am not talking about exploiting the poor Cuban People by staying in a cheap hotel and trading sex for basic household commodities. I mean being 'owned' by a corrupt and dysfunctional state, having to live and work on $1 a day and get put in jail for expressing yourself.
Go there and educate yourself on the reality Comrade
B_I_D___ 10 years ago
Well...if he does not lie about crime rates, he's dooming himself for failure. The PLP mantra has been pure deceit on the crime numbers to make for good PR...if Minnis gets into power and tells the TRUTH, the nation will go into shock. Then all it will take is the PLP to get back into power, fudge some crime stats and they look like national heroes...again!! Our people are truly the blind leading the blind.
dehavmoss 10 years ago
The irony in this is that despite the government trying to play down crime is the fact that Bahamians are actually living in the Bahamas and know full well how bad the crime situation is. They know.
Keeping crime figures hidden only adds to the long standing perception of corruption that is drowning our public officials.
Honestman 10 years ago
Refreshingly honest but the country needs someone to talk tough on crime and propose some tough and unpopular crime fighting strategies. Everyone knows that crime is out of control and that the PLP has absolutely no clue how to deal with it. What would Minnis do if he was Prime Minister? Just saying "I ain't gonna lie" isn't enough. What drastic measures would you introduce Dr. Minnis to remove the armed thugs from our streets?
dehavmoss 10 years ago
Fully agree with you. We need action. NOW.
mostsickandtired 10 years ago
Yes, all Minnis says is that he is going to enforce the laws on the books. This is laughable. We need some tough innovative strategies to deal with this crime problem and he did not have an answer. He turned this crime problem into a political football AGAIN. whilst the Bahamian people plain scared- scared to go out their home, scared to walk the street, scared to stay home. I know I scared.
Emac 10 years ago
Actually studies have shown that enforcing the law is the first step in eradicating crime. It certainly worked for New York with major Giuliani’s “zero tolerance”. The problem is that we let the little things slide. Once people see that they can get by Scot free with petty crimes, they feel no weight committing bigger ones.
jusscoolin 10 years ago
Minnis: I Won’T Lie To Nation On Crime,crime is “out of control”. DaAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! Dat ee notin flippin new. The jack ass syndrome kickin in again!
duppyVAT 10 years ago
HAI is a doctor and a damn good one. However, a doctor and a politician cannot co-exist in the same vein. One will have to dominate ......... if HAI the doctor dominates, he will not be a successful political leader ............. winning Killarney is not the litmus test for being a successful national political leader ............... its like Perry winning Centreville (a no-brainer). HAI is in a political comfort zone that inhibits him from appreciating the bigger picture. How many seats can his political influence win for the FNM? Thats the litmus test. If HAI returns as FNM leader, the FNM may only win in 2017 because of dissatisfaction with the PLP, not confidence in HAI.
TalRussell 10 years ago
Comrades as long as you read this hereto Tribune story as I do all will be well.. Its intent is to win the leadership of the red party come convention - all the while hoping he can duck them political bricks of his unruly deputy leader. Loretta has one mean right throwing hand - don't we all knows? If I was Minnis, I'd have security check convention floor for anything marked "this is a political brick?"
SP 10 years ago
FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis also will not utter the words "ILLEGAL HAITIAN IMMIGRANT PROBLEM"!
Little wimpy Daron Cash & large wannabe in charge BLT are just as cowardly, deceitful and treasonous.
The Foreign National Movement is alive, sick and doomed!
TalRussell 10 years ago
Comrade allow me reintroduce you to the reds whacky way reducing crime. The reds might want rest we forget but how could we dismiss their red party's close ties to the Cuban Movement Group based out out Florida? The same group who had announced to the international, how they were so hell bent on "boycotting Bahamaland's tourism industry?" Do you not remember, how this Florida group and the reds were joint at the hip for weeks in the international media? How could that be a plan to reduce crime, if the tourists stopped arriving and hotels closed, the docks become empty of cruise ship passengers and the taxes remained parked at the Pindling Airport? Not only would Atlantis have had to close shop and send thousands paychecks home but why would Baha Mar even bother opening its doors? Comrades I only wish I was making this up. It da truth.
ThisIsOurs 10 years ago
Dumb statement. Granted any other line from the speech could have ended up as the title. "They are not reporting to us on Urban Renewal", for example. Something is seriously wrong with the accounting for that program. 15 million dollars does more than clear a few overgrown fields, give a few bags of grocery and purchase 200 or so pieces of band equipment. Everyone who gives a donation should request audited balance sheets (going back to the program's implementation) from a reputable firm like PWC.
Tell us what you will do in concrete terms to remove corrupt government officers and MPs. What will you do to stop cabinet ministers from raiding their ministries or using their offices to enrich themselves? What will you do to stop the hiring of persons who are clearly unqualified to key positions in government? God bless bellboys but unless they are moonlighting while taking communications courses they are not qualified to be appointed head journalist anywhere. They believe these appointments are harmless but they cause so much damage. They demotivate existing staff and give someone power to make disastrous decisions. Stop this blatant theft from the treasury, tell us your realistic plan to stop this chaos.
That is your first step to reducing crime. And if you believe the PLP will steal your idea and implement it, GOOD. you've done your stateman's duty for the country.
happyfly 10 years ago
Why doesn't he just tell the truth ?
The PLP are so busy stuffing public funds in to their pockets that they do not have time to think about anything else at all (let alone difficult stuff like crime)
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