Silence on plan to stop killings

Former National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage.

As of Tuesday, June 14, 2016

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

THE day after three men were slain in the capital in two separate shooting incidents, National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage had very little to say when he was questioned on the government’s approach to arrest violent crime in the country.

“We are constantly monitoring crime in the country. We are constantly instituting strategies and we will continue to do so,” Dr Nottage responded when this newspaper questioned him yesterday on the government’s strategy to tackle growing crime trends.

Apart from a murder count of 56 for the year, according to The Tribune’s records, police have also reported a recent spate of armed robberies, with ten recorded during the past weekend alone.

The government’s silence regarding the scourge of crime yesterday sparked criticism from FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis, who questioned whether fixing the “crime epidemic” was a priority for the Christie administration. He said by doing nothing, the government is ignoring this festering issue.

Dr Minnis said: “Over the weekend, and tragically, Bahamians awoke to another front page news story of three horrific murders. We are not even halfway through 2016 and there have already been over 50 murders in the Bahamas this year alone.

“The murder rate has continued to rise under this PLP government with the murder rate being over 100 every year under their regime, including a dubious record setting year in 2015. Our people are literally dying in the streets, this government has had four years to address the safety and security of our communities and they have failed at every turn.”

“Four years ago, the PLP promised to eradicate crime, but sadly Sunday past, serves as one more example that crime is only getting worse under this government. The crime rate impacts every corner of our society – from families fearful in their homes, to tourists choosing other places to spend their vacation dollars. Where is the urgency on fixing the crime epidemic? This government needs to understand that you cannot fix a problem when you choose to ignore it. Action is required today and the people want to know what this government is prepared to do?”

Under the Progressive Liberal Party, there have been 514 murders in the Bahamas since the 2012 general election according to The Tribune’s records, surpassing the “490 plus” under the last FNM administration which was highlighted as part of the PLP’s campaign.

Dr Minnis added: “Sadly –- but not surprisingly – the prime minister’s recent budget communication proved this government is either ill equipped or not serious about launching a plan to root out crime. Bahamians deserve a government that will stand up for them and take action, the time for broken promises and empty rhetoric from the PLP is over. And soon their failed tenure running the government will be over as well.”

This comes after three men were murdered on Sunday, including a church minister, in two separate incidents.

Ivan Cleare, a minister at New Bethlehem Baptist Church on Independence Drive, was shot and killed early Sunday morning while using a Scotiabank automated teller machine (ATM) at Wulff Road and Jerome Avenue. Mr Cleare’s lifeless body was discovered shortly after 8am when police responded to a tip they received.

The incident sparked an island-wide manhunt for the killer, leading to the arrest of a suspect hours after the shooting.

Police reported that a handgun was allegedly also found in the suspect’s possession.

About 12 hours after this incident, two men, including a father, were shot dead in Fox Hill.

Police were called to the scene of the double homicide on Adderley Street shortly after 9pm, where the two men were standing outside when they were shot.

Yesterday, Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell released a statement on the killings.

“I am deeply saddened and distressed at these latest killings in the community of Adderley Street which abuts the Fox Hill constituency but which the people of Fox Hill consider part of their own. We must redouble our efforts to stop this and to fight the greed and mindless violence that threatens to sap our national will and weaken our moral fibre.

“I commit myself anew to that task,” Mr Mitchell said.

One of the victims was identified by a relative as Sammy Rolle, a construction worker in his 30s, who lived in Fox Hill. The other victim, known by his nickname “Smokey”, frequently hung out “on the blocks” near Adderley Street, residents told The Tribune.

On Sunday night, police said they had a person of interest in custody but did not have a motive for the killings.

Calypso 8 years, 5 months ago

Stop politicizing crime...it is NOT a political issue! Both parties need to work TOGETHER to solve this problem. If we remain divided as country the criminals will continue to tear us apart.

licks2 8 years, 5 months ago

True. . .but when the PLP was told that they disagreed . . .they just wanted to win the election. . .they insisted that they had it right by showing that the FNM was responsible for high crime! We the people knew that from 2012. . .but DPM Davis. . .and by extension his party insisted that the FNM were responsibly. . .we elected them to do better. . .the rest is history!

crimestopper 8 years, 5 months ago

Can someone please explain why we aren't killing the killers(wake bahamas) we are under attack.

BMW 8 years, 5 months ago

They do not have a plan. We need foreign police from top on down plain and simple!

Well_mudda_take_sic 8 years, 5 months ago

The slain lifeless body of the gunned down Church Minister should be laid in the House of Assembly immediately in front of Bernard Nottage's seat! Nottage's gross incompetency in fighting crime all these years makes him just as culpable as the murderers who gun down their victims. Nottage's gross dereliction of duty allows for easy access to illegal fire arms by gun toting murderers.....hell, we may as well think of Nottage as being a key contributor to the gun trigger being pulled by the murderer as he slaughters his targeted poor innocent victim.

sheeprunner12 8 years, 5 months ago

BJ stands guilty as charged .............. dereliction of public (safety) duty to the citizens of The Bahamas

TalRussell 8 years, 5 months ago

http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2016…

DDK 8 years, 5 months ago

Nice One, Mr. Russell!

SP 8 years, 5 months ago

............. BJ Nottage had ALL the answers when Tommy T was security minister! ...............

sheeprunner12 8 years, 5 months ago

............ and to add insult to injury ........ the friggin lawless Dominicans are boldly challenging RBDF patrol boats!!!!!!!! .................. they have this government for a complete joke these days!!!!!!!

soflablkman 8 years, 5 months ago

I have a few suggestions to reduce crime in NP. This is only my opinion. I am not an expert.

1) Reducing crime on the island should be priority #1. Focus on prevention, small rewards leading to arrest, and anonymous reporting should be publicized and campaigned.

2) Conduct undercover sting operations…especially in high crime locations and during the time period that many violent crimes take place…for example during the weekends / 9pm – 2am.

3) Focus on solving poverty and gun control on the island.

4) Use social media and DNA evidence as tools.

5) Don't be scared of the criminals...enter their territory. Make your presence known.

TalRussell 8 years, 5 months ago

http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2016…

viewersmatters 8 years, 5 months ago

Prime example of the Government doing there jobs when it comes to the bahamain ppl......they deserve Government of the century. When the people need us what do we do.......... how do we think............ after 4 years in power we do.........for the people cause we always put the people first :)

John 8 years, 5 months ago

While murders may be reduced by as much as 30 this year, the problem is that the 'victims' of murder are more and more becoming unsuspecting citizens rather than 'gang members', 'drug dealers involved in turft war', 'persons (criminals ) known to the police, 'victims of domestic violence' or 'persons who had a dispute and found no conflict resolution.' Persons getting killed are mostly unknown to their assailant, they are victims of robbery, they were going their everyday routine of 'living' no ankle bracelet, no criminal record, no drug dealing, but still a murder victim. So even though the numbers may be down, the threat of murder to the average citizen, especially in New providence and Grand Bahama had increased

John 8 years, 5 months ago

And when close to $500 million has gone missing or unaccounted for (ok even more) under this Christie led PLP government, who is to say Bahamians must be or even try to be law abiding citizens????!!!

TalRussell 8 years, 5 months ago

Comrades if the foreign governments possess the capability to hack into the USA government's data, the major banks and the credit card companies computers, you gotta know it's hacking child play for them to also target their ways into The Bahamaland government's data bases - not to mention the data belonging to the two main political parties.
These foreign governments loves be collecting lots juicy data on elected and non elected government officials...and they know when and how to use it to their advantages.
They compile enough data for their own Wikileaks index cards.

also targeted

VDSheep 8 years, 5 months ago

Crime will be until the end of time. However ' the best way to "reduce" crime is to give people jobs. A harder way is to increase moral responsibility (almost impossible in this economy). Another addition is to diversify the economy out of New Providence. Another almost impossible way is to reeducate Bahamians away from the gun culture. Also, cut out dramatically the use of hypocrisy by our political, religious and civil leaders. All of which are almost impossible to do. So, until any of them are done - the truth is that violence is the old and new normal. Let's face the truth - we are in a sad state of affairs and we are all guilty of the status quo! Unless you want to blame it on the water.

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