The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

In The Tribune dated June 19, 2014, it was reported under the headline “62 murders – but major crime down”: “Although 62 murders have been recorded for the year so far, statistics show that most major crime categories have decreased significantly, National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage announced yesterday.”

During his contribution to the 2014/2015 Budget debate, Dr Nottage said officials saw a major decrease in several crime categories.

He said murder decreased by four per cent, rape fell by 15 per cent, attempted rape fell by 64 per cent, unlawful sexual intercourse fell by 35 per cent, armed robbery fell by 18 per cent, robbery fell by 9 per cent, housebreaking by 25 per cent and stolen vehicles by 32 per cent. He was speaking about crimes in New Providence for the period January 1 to June 10.

Maybe there is a communication problem between Dr Nottage and his colleagues because while Dr Nottage is not concerned, his colleague Obie Wilchcombe clearly is concerned.

In The Tribune dated August 14, 2014, it was reported under the headline “Tourism Minister ‘concerned’ about latest spate of murders”:

“Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe is ‘concerned’ about the latest streak of murders in Nassau and the negative impact the reports could have on the Bahamas tourism industry.”

After Dr Nottage made his announcement on June 19, 2014, saying major crime down, it was reported in The Tribune dated June 20, 2014 under the headline “Late news: Four men shot”. And in The Tribune dated June 21, 2014, under the headline “Seven in hospital after shootings”, and in the same paper and date under the headline “Man gunned down in Grand Bahama. Homicide rate rises to 63.”

Just over the weekend, another four people were shot and killed in 24 hours, reported in The Nassau Guardian dated August 25, 2014, under the headline “Four killed in 24 hours”.

It’s hard to see with all of these shootings and killings how Dr Nottage’s claims about lower crime could be correct.

The Bahamian people don’t believe these claims, especially because the government statistics have been proven wrong in the past when hospital records showed many more stabbings and shooting victims than the police were willing to admit. Don’t take the Bahamian people for fools!

The police are doing their best, but they need help to combat this crime.

According to The Nassau Guardian dated August 27, 2014, under the headline “Murders up 15%”: “The killing of Bahamas Information Services (BIS) deputy director Latore Mackey on Monday, pushed the country’s murder count for 2014 up to 83, police confirmed to The Nassau Guardian, yesterday.”

In The Tribune dated August 26, 2014, it was reported under the headline: “PM’s press aide shot and killed”: “His death was the fifth in less than 36 hours and brought the country’s murder count to 83 for the year, according to The Tribune records.”

And in The Nassau Guardian dated August 26, 2014, it was reported under the headline “PM’s press secretary murdered”.

In The Tribune dated May 19, 2008, it was reported under the headline “Insight by John Marquis, (former) Managing editor”: “Politicians appear powerless in the face of a crime crisis which is putting the Bahamas way of life at risk. The shooting of an American tourist on Cable Beach this week only two days after a teenager was knifed to death at one of the country’s most popular beaches, dispels any illusions we might have about lawlessness in this country. We are in DEEP, DEEP, TROUBLE . . . and firm action is needed now.

“Now that crime is striking right at the heart of Bahamian life and threatening to destroy the economy in the process, it is vital that the government reacts with the ruthlessness the situation demands, and in a way that criminals understand”

“The shooting of an elderly American tourist on Cable Beach right outside the former Prime Minister’s home only two days later, reinforced the depressing reality which is that criminals are loose in this land, who have no respect for the law, and no fear of being caught. A large part of the current crime rampage is due to misuse of bail. No one charged with murder, armed robbery or any other crime involving weapons should be given bail.”

In June 11, 2013, it was reported in The Tribune under the headline “US diplomat is robbed”, and in The Tribune dated August 2, 2013, under the headline: “US Embassy official is victim of robbery”. And in The Tribune dated April 9, 2014, under the headline: “Bound, robbed and shot dead - Visitor killed during home raid in Freeport”. Also, in The Tribune dated December 28, 2013, under the headline “Four dead in Fox Hill bloodbath”.

All of the violent crime that is happening here in Nassau and the Bahamas is on the news, the Internet and all over the world.

The truth is crime is out of control. Crime is rampant in the Bahamas. With all the reports about crime, the crime in Nassau and the Bahamas has not decreased but increased. A blind man can see that crime has not decreased.

As the Prime Minister said in his address to the nation of the Bahamas reported in The Tribune, May 7, 2012, “Let’s make no mistake about it, we are a nation and people under siege: CRIME is the biggest problem facing the country today”.

In The Tribune dated June 8, 2012, Minister of State for National Security Keith Bell said he and National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage are personally armed.

Dr Nottage, with all due respect, if crime was down why are you and Mr Bell carrying a weapon?

If the US Embassy is warning their citizens about the increased criminal activity in the Bahamas, why are you and Mr Bell carrying a gun? What are you and Mr Bell afraid of?

Please don’t insult the intelligence of the Bahamian people by stating that crime is down.

If you and Mr Bell can have guns to protect yourselves why can’t responsible law-abiding citizens have guns to protect themselves and their families? The United States allows their citizens who are responsible to carry guns to protect their families. The police can’t be everywhere to protect us.

The US Embassy gave out a warning for US citizens warning against INCREASED criminal activity in the Bahamas reported in The Tribune dated December 14, 2013.

Now the US Embassy RENEWS the crime warning reported in The Nassau Guardian dated March 29, 2014.

As Bahamians, we should take note of the warnings issued by the US Embassy. Avoiding the warnings, or dismissing them would be to our detriment. A warning of what may come if we fail to act.

If the US Embassy puts a stop on US citizens coming to the Bahamas, we will be in serious trouble. It would affect taxi drivers, hotel employees, government employees, it would affect everyone in the Bahamas. If you think the crime is bad now, if this happens, God forbid, the Bahamas would sink and the crime will be worse than ever. Then you will see the WILD WEST in full force. Everyone in the Christie administration should be concerned about the violence and the rise in crime.

In The Nassau Guardian dated June 6, 1994, under the headline “Senator wants special hearings on crime factors”: “Independent Senator Fred Mitchell, chairman of the Senate Committee on Culture, wants a special session to discuss the rise in crime. ‘We who are politicians have failed the society in solving this problem,’ he said.”

Mr Nottage, in The Tribune dated August 28, 2014, it was reported under the headline “Mother Pratt calls for Draconian measures to curb violence”: “Urban Renewal co-chair Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt said yesterday that the government needs to pass ‘draconian laws’ in order to effectively combat the incidents of violent crime and murder that plague the country. And in The Tribune dated August 29, 2014, in the Editorial headed “‘Mother Pratt’ calls for ‘draconian’ measures to fight crime”. It goes on to say “we couldn’t agree more. All we can suggest is that the laws be toughened - ‘draconian’ in the words of ‘Mother’ Pratt - and that the criminal element be made to understand that they can find no safe haven in the bosom of the Christie government.”

Mr Nottage, if the violent crime is not controlled, these vicious criminals will destroy the tourism industry which is the bread and butter of the Bahamas. This is the number one priority that has to be addressed URGENTLY or we will all suffer the consequences. The time for talk and speeches is over. It is now time for action. Show these vicious criminals that the government means business. Fight fire with fire. “Mother” Pratt calls for draconian measures to curb violence. The cat-o’-nine tails is on the law books, but never enforced. If the “cat” was applied to these vicious criminals for rape, you will see the crime reduced.

In The Tribune dated July 20, 1982, under the headline “Maynard favours ‘the cat’ for rape and violent crimes”: “Labour and Home Affairs Minister Clement Maynard favours the use of the cat-o-nine tails for rapists and those who commit violent crimes. Mr Maynard, who is responsible for the police and the prisons, made this disclosure at the opening service of the sixth annual youth convention of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World last night at the Greater Bethel Temple in Rupert Dean’s Lane.”

And then the Minister said: “I have heard it said that the cat-o-nine tails should be applied to those who commit violent crimes, including rape. I personally support this because there can be no act more degrading to a woman or more damaging to a family than rape. And I feel that the penalty ought to be commensurate with the crime.”

The Tribune dated April 16, 2014, under the headline “Commissioner: Country in a bad place with crime”.

The Tribune dated September 19, 2014 under the headline “Crime alert for Nassau Tourists - Canada urges visitors to be vigilant”.

What is the Christie administration going to do with the crime alerts from the US Embassy warning their people with the increasing crime and now warnings from Canada? We should all be concerned. Something has to be done urgently to control the violence and vicious crime that will destroy the tourist industry and the reputation of Nassau and the Bahamas.

Mr Nottage, don’t let these vicious criminals destroy the good name and reputation of the Bahamas and its people. Violent crime is threatening the Bahamian way of life. There have been too many rapes, murders, robberies, killings. Too many people have died, families devastated, traumatised, and the effects are forever.

The Holy Bible says in 2nd Chronicles, Chapter 7, Verse 14, “If my people which are called by my Name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

The Bahamas needs a Spiritual Revival before it is too late.

Mr Nottage, I hope and pray to Almighty God for His continued help and to give wisdom to those in authority that they will do the right thing to stamp out this evil before it destroys us, and to protect the people and reputation of the Bahamas. We are supposed to be a Christian nation. Let’s live up to that name. May Almighty God continue to bless and protect the Bahamas and its people is my prayer.

Sincerely in Christ,

TONY G ZERVOS

Nassau,

September 22, 2014.