The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Chairman Michael Pintard yesterday said PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts’ suggestion that the government ought to consider implementing a curfew in crime hotspots is a “cry of desperation” as he questioned whether the plan would truly impact criminal activity.

Mr Pintard said that as violent crime occurs during different parts of the day, he was not certain if Mr Roberts’ suggestion is the right answer.

On Tuesday, Mr Roberts said tougher action is needed to tackle the “unacceptable level” of crime in the Bahamas.

However, in an interview with The Tribune, Mr Pintard criticised the Progressive Liberal Party chairman for speaking out of turn. He said crime-fighting strategies would be best left up to Prime Minister Perry Christie, National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage, State National Security Minister Keith Bell or Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade.

He said it was “unfortunate” that none of those men were actively speaking to the crime measures that needed to be put in place to arrest criminal activity, particularly in New Providence.

“Instead what we have is a cry of desperation by Mr Roberts who is simply responding to no doubt the cry that he has heard in the community,” the FNM senator said.

“No specifics are being offered in terms of when such a curfew would be implemented. What is clear to the public is that crime is being committed early in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening, at all times of day and (in the) evening. We are experiencing violent crime at all times so what he has suggested I am not sure is the answer.

“So it would have been useful if one of the appropriate persons, including the prime minister, minister of national security, minister of state or the commissioner should have identified what are the specifics of what the government is contemplating as it relates to curfew.”

Mr Pintard said he remained hopeful that the government would engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders to formulate immediate steps to end the carnage throughout the country.

The FNM chairman went on to question the government’s handling of what he claimed amounts to around $50m in funding to aid in the fight against crime.

“Just recently the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has provided $20m to the government of the Bahamas to assist in crime fighting efforts. To date, neither the prime minister nor his ministers have indicated how those funds will be used to assist in the crime fight. The public should take note of the fact that this $20m is added to the more than $15m that is annually provided to Urban Renewal that is supposed to be the umbrella programme designed to impact crime in the over the hill community.

“That is separate and apart from the funds allocated to Swift Justice and other government initiatives so it’s quite possible that right now the Progressive Liberal Party has at its disposal in excess of $50m per annum to fight crime to ensure the proper administration of law and order.

“Yet they have not been able to articulate in a coherent clear plan of action to address crime in general given the fact that their earlier pronouncement prior to the election of a safe Bahamas has not been successful,” Mr Pintard said.