Prime Minister Perry Christie.
By SANCHESKA DORSETT
Tribune Staff Reporter
sdorsett@tribunemedia.net
HOURS after the bodies of two young teens were found with gunshot wounds to the head, Prime Minister Perry Christie yesterday reflected on the efficacy of his government’s anti-crime efforts as he restated his administration’s commitment to stopping the “madness that has seemed to grip our country”.
Mr Christie told The Tribune the increase in homicides is bigger than the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), the Free National Movement (FNM) and the Democratic National Alliance (DNA).
He said everyone must come together to save the reputation and integrity of The Bahamas.
“You know that there is something going on and we have to take a holistic approach to it and look at the factors of crime,” Mr Christie said. “Look at housing, the environment; all that makes young boys, cynical and bitter and unemployment being the incubator for crime. All these things we look at but at the same time we have to be resolved as a people to understand that we can not allow this to continue,” Mr Christie said.
“This is bigger than the FNM. This is bigger than the PLP. This is bigger than the DNA. This is about our country and we must not compromise in our efforts and we must let people know what we are doing to fight crime.”
More than 600 people have been killed since the PLP took office in May, 2012, according to The Tribune’s records.
Ahead of the 2012 general election, the PLP posted billboards throughout New Providence - in areas heavily trafficked by tourists and locals - which said there had been more than 490 killings under the five-year Ingraham administration.
The PLP, then in opposition, campaigned that it had the answer to violent crime while the Ingraham administration did not. It promised that if elected it would get crime under control.
The latest homicides took place yesterday. According to police reports, the bodies of a 13-year-old and 15-year-old were discovered with gunshot wounds off a dirt road in Yellow Elder Gardens. Police have no motive for the crime.
Mr Christie said: “My government has given over 300 new police officers new equipment and new technology all with a view to improving our capacity to minimise crime but I can tell you we are not afraid to admit that this is difficult and complex issue and we are continuing to deal with it aggressively because we have to for the future of our country and the future security of our county and to the people wanting to come to our country.
“Young men with a complete disregard for their own existence and the existence of others do not have the right to compromise on the reputation and the integrity and the future of our people by what they do and we have to be able to be seen to say and mean it and people know we will take a no-nonsense approach to it. We have to come to grips with this madness that has seemed to grip our country.”
Speaking in the House of Assembly last month, Minister of National Security Dr Nottage said that people connected to “gangs, drugs and guns” are linked to the frequent killings.
Dr Nottage also said intelligence has suggested that there are connections between many violent incidents on the streets of New Providence and inmates at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services and recently released prisoners.
He also maintained that, despite a cumulative murder count in this term that has surpassed the previous Ingraham administration’s, under the Christie administration the country was made safer for Bahamians.
Comments
sp1nks 7 years, 8 months ago
...It's time for sleepy BJ Nottage to announce more saturation patrols
athlete12 7 years, 8 months ago
Shut up dude..just shut up. Tired of you repeating the same thing over n over. Shut up and go into the abyss.
All the consultants you've brought in and they haven't told you that more resources do not solve crimes. Crime comes from a disconnect between offenders and their society due to a number such as poverty and lack of opportunity which is heavy on our land. Neither of which the PLP or FNM have been able to solve.
So again shut up!
Honestman 7 years, 8 months ago
"Speaking in the House of Assembly last month, Minister of National Security Dr Nottage said that people connected to “gangs, drugs and guns” are linked to the frequent killings."
Well we welcome that insightful analysis from our Crime Czar but what is he and his party going to do about it? And presumably the PLP won't mind if the FNM erects a number of Billboards at prominent roundabouts in the coming months just to remind the tourists as to how bad things are?
DonAnthony 7 years, 8 months ago
Yes when does this never ending, unmitigated stream of " teachable moments" end? Meanwhile the youth of this country lie in blood, daily hunted down like animals. It is enough to make you weep.
Mr. Christie had his chance and FAILED, it is time for him to shut up and leave office. He will never leave of his own volition so it is up to the Bahamian people to vote his incompetent administration out. He failed , it is time to fire him and try someone new.
ThisIsOurs 7 years, 8 months ago
"Speaking in the House of Assembly last month, Minister of National Security Dr Nottage said that people connected to “gangs, drugs and guns” are linked to the frequent killings."
The same gangs and drug dealers they had on the campaign trail. And then told them their sentences were too long as soon as they got in power.
Seaman 7 years, 8 months ago
What the Hell.......... This man had five years to bring some law and order to this Country, after all he had the answers for all the crime in 2012 from day one they said. We going to unite alright.... to kick his a$$ out of power.
TalRussell 7 years, 8 months ago
Comrades! Crime is much worse than published crime statics point towards.
Imagine, what true crime is really like if we were to change away from reporting crimes - only after the courts have found the accused parties guilty?
A pretty damn crime reality scary felling sets-in, if you believe our justice system has failed the people.
Comrades, just days ago we had the US government issuing crime warning alerts committed against american tourists to Bahamaland - and an official policeman's spokesman's says - it's the first he heard that crime matter?
licks2 7 years, 8 months ago
Yea . . . we will UNIT. . .for the dramatic END of the PLP party come next election!!! Yes Sire. . .we will join you in that venture of reliving you of our government!!
ohdrap4 7 years, 8 months ago
I agree, the madness demonstrated by voters 5 years ago must stop.
unite under another party.
thomas 7 years, 8 months ago
We should unite. Unite to rid our country of a leader who "flips the bird" on national tv, who uses a church to "rally and romp" cus he's right up there with god. Who taxes food and medical services to spend on street parties. etc etc
birdiestrachan 7 years, 8 months ago
Crime goes deeper than any political party it goes to the heart and soul of the persons committing the crime, it is not natural it is devilish. It breaks the heart of those who loved the victims. It should not be used as a political football . I am very sorry for those who are left to mourn.
Sickened 7 years, 8 months ago
Is this what you said 5 years ago, just before the last election? Humour us and say YES!
Alex_Charles 7 years, 8 months ago
time to erect billboards right?
Seaman 7 years, 8 months ago
Birdie..... You are only partly right. It's is also a political problem. Did you feel this way when the PLP's put the billboards up in 2012? I bet you jumped for joy. It's the Government of the day job to protect the people of the Bahama by what ever means necessary, ever when the parents fail to teach their children right from wrong. Neither Party has talked about a new jail to house all these criminals seeing that Fox Hill prison is out dated.
sheeprunner12 7 years, 8 months ago
Yep ......... God does not like ugly (like Perry) ........... BOL
The crime chickens of the Pingdomites are roosting all over Nassau
sengli02 7 years, 8 months ago
Most of my family lives in Nassau and Freeport. Someday, I would like to come for a visit, but the crime rate is too high.
My nephew just graduated from college last year, came back to Nassau and couldn't find a job, so he went to the Grand Cayman's Island and got hired right away. He has the skills the Bahamas need, computer science.
There needs to be curfews for anyone under a certain age. It would help.
This is praying time for the Bahamas.
Sickened 7 years, 8 months ago
Our priests and scores of Sunday (morning) Christians have been praying for well over 10 years on this. How has that worked out so far? Is God sleeping or does he just not care? Or, does God only listen to true Christians?
John 7 years, 8 months ago
stop selling the country and our birthrites out to foreigners, may who can't stand our guts..lets unite on that first. Your legacy is that more murders occurred under your watch than any other pm, more Bahamians remained unemployed for longer periods than any other pm, Bahamiaans paid more taxes, per individual than under any other pm,and corruption under your government seems unlatch...now lets not forget the national debt, the four downgrades Aand the massive deception about licensing and regulating webshops. Bahamians have no confidence in you Mr. PM and so they will not rally behind you. You ignored their pleas and cries for your five years in office not you want to unite with election fever in the air,,NOT!
Honestman 7 years, 8 months ago
Bahamians have done more to harm Bahamians than any foreigner. Stupid and ill infirmed comment. Open your eyes and see who the real enemy is. He is within!
John 7 years, 8 months ago
Invest in Bahamians first not foreigners coming here and mistreating Bahamians..are you a foreigner..i knew it.
Honestman 7 years, 8 months ago
You know nothing of who I am but your inclination to blame foreigners for the ills facing The Bahamas illustrates an inherent racism in your attitude. In 44 years of independence tell me who has scr###d this country? It is NOT the foreigner!
BMW 7 years, 8 months ago
Its always a foreigner, stop with the bull shit. This government is racist period. Why is singing for supper jones showing roots type programs, just to stoke the anti white . Guess what its not the white man beating and holding you back now its your own. Think about it.
Porcupine 7 years, 8 months ago
The Bahamian killers come from Bahamian families, Bahamian schools and Bahamian churches. The Bahamas has failed. Not the PLP or the FNM or any other party that tries and set itself apart. We keep on blaming everyone else for OUR problems. We have children being raised by other children with no moral compass, no regard for human life, no empathy, no education, no understanding. The ones they are supposed to look up to, such as our politicians and religious leaders, are the worst of all. Voting won't change a thing. Look in the mirror Bahamian people. There is the problem. That is why we will never get better "leaders"
John 7 years, 8 months ago
So what do you think would be the result if over 100 foreigners were being killed in this country every year? Do you get the picture now? The fish smells rotten.
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