Minister of National Security Marvin Dames.
By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Deputy Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
THE Business Technology and Forfeiture Tracing Units of the Royal Bahamas Police Force will be merged to address increased occurrences of business-related theft, fraud and cyber crime in the country, National Security Minister Marvin Dames has said.
Speaking during the CEO Network Conference on Friday, Mr Dames said the RBPF’s aim is to be proactive and focused in identifying individuals and organisations responsible for various kinds of criminal activity.
While touting the positive changes in crime figures – a 31.8 per cent drop in armed robberies, the 45.2 per cent decrease in murders and 13.5 per cent decline of stolen vehicles for the first quarter of the year – Mr Dames said more must be done to ensure the results are sustainable.
“While the signs remain positive,” he told those gathered at the Melia Nassau Beach Hotel, “I hasten to add that the recent successes are due in part to short-term strategies, but much more work remains to be done. We are, however, encouraged because the decreases and other successes are not occurring by happenstance, but by carefully thought-out and deliberate changes in the way our police force conducts its crime fighting strategies.
“New methodologies and approaches to law enforcement partnerships, intelligence, drug interdiction and gun control will be the key to making us safer today than we were yesterday.
“These units will continue to operate using proactive, focused, sustained and coordinated approaches so as to identify individuals and organisations responsible for the trafficking of firearms into our country and disrupting their methods of operations.
“In the very near future, we hope to merge our Business Technology and Forfeiture Tracing Sections in the Royal Bahamas Police Force so as to address the increased reporting of business crimes related to theft and fraud. In addition, the Forfeiture Tracing Sections Unit will poise itself to address the expected increases in credit card fraud, identity theft, ransomware, phishing attacks and data loss, all of which are expected to become more common in the future due to cyber activity.”
Realising a gap in certain areas, he said local law enforcement will not continue to allow a small group of misguided individuals to cause havoc.
“We have sounded the clarion call to all within hearing distance that we represent the good people of this nation. No longer will we stand by and allow a small group of misguided individuals to reap havoc.
“We will find those persons and hold them accountable for their actions. There will be no hiding place or no go to zones for those hell bent on living a life of crime. The issue of safety and security is robust and will fluctuate as new trends emerge to destabilise current efforts. As such, yes, we are safer today than we were yesterday, but the threats of tomorrow are different,” Mr Dames said.
In recent months, several people have been charged in court in connection with stealing tens of thousands of dollars from their respective employers.
Comments
DDK 6 years, 6 months ago
Traditionally, "white collar" crime seldom ends up in court in this country. The thieves just walk. The police and prosecutors either cannot or will not do their jobs. They put the business owner victims though all sorts of additional costs and hoops asking for forensic audits, etc. and then 'lose' the evidence and/or never manage to fix a court date or the judge does not bother to show up. It is small wonder dishonest Bahamians feel so entitled and unafraid to steal from their employers. There has long been a huge element of discrimination as to who may be prosecuted depending on the position and/or complexion of the perpetrator and the victim. Very often the police do not pursue the case until their palms are greased. Again, Mr. Dames, the proof will be in the pudding.
realitycheck242 6 years, 6 months ago
If we can raise the D level standard of education in this country in the high schools, That would go along way in reducing white collar crimes at the lower level. Business-related theft, and fraud is higher the higher one goes up the corporate ladder.Many crimes are sweeped under the rug because of who knows who with political connections. The small fishes are usually caught and made an example of to cover up the real culprits.
sheeprunner12 6 years, 6 months ago
What about those 55 Bahamians with Swiss bank accounts???
Dawes 6 years, 6 months ago
Although some may be Bahamain born they are not all. A number of them will be residents from places like Lyford Cay etc.
realfreethinker 6 years, 6 months ago
Is it me or has there been a rash of persons being charge with stealing by reason of employment?
sheeprunner12 6 years, 6 months ago
No ........ either detection is better OR there are just more dumb, desperate employees ........ And do not forget the former PLP Cabinet and their PEPs.
Dawes 6 years, 6 months ago
It could be companies have realised that allowing the person to leave so they could keep it quiet is not worth it, and they now would rather charge then stay quiet.
ThisIsOurs 6 years, 6 months ago
I believe you're right.
ohdrap4 6 years, 6 months ago
SOFTWARE, CAMERAS, AND OTHER TECHNOLOGIES ALSO MAKE GATHERING EVIDENCE EASIER.
IN THE OLDEN TIMES IT WAS JUST WORD OF MOUTH FROM PLACE TO PLACE NOT TO HIRE PEOPLE.
OR THEY WOULD FIND HIMA MENIAL JOB WHERE NO MONEY WOULD BE HANDLED.
bogart 6 years, 6 months ago
ITS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG,!!!
For many years the businesses wid all dey beautiful people dressed in suit an collar wid tie an beautiful wemmen dressed in beautiful clothes an all employed in big offices wid air conditioning piping cold, muddoes, orkid plants on counter could do no wtong according to we da pore Bshamian. Well its time peple catch sense an find out dey fancy dressed wid white collar suit an tie aint no different than we dey pore Bahamian who put on pants one foot at a time like dem too.
rawbahamian 6 years, 6 months ago
Way more often than not, kids are being raised in a criminal enviroment right at home with no consequences then they see the bus drivers doing as they please right in front of patrol cars and motorbikes and again, still no consequences. If they are raised where their older siblings come home with the spoils of their crimes then why should they not just pick up the baton and carry right on without fear or a conscience !!! In these kids eyes, a monitoring ankle bracelet is considered an honour badge and there's no need for shame !!! Then to top it off, we have the nerve to say the government needs to do something about the criminal youth but the government is not raising our useless criminally inclined kids, we are turning them into what they are becoming by our own inactions but enjoying the benefits of their actions monetarily or otherwise then when they get caught the parents swear he/she is a clipped wing angel from heaven but with a 3mile rap sheet. The parents of these kids should be made to suffer the same fate as their kids when they get caught, tried, convicted and incarcerated.
ohdrap4 6 years, 6 months ago
Dear kindly Judge, your Honor My parents treat me rough With all their marijuana They won’t give me a puff They didn’t wanna have me But somehow I was had Leapin’ lizards --that’s what I’m so bad!
My Daddy beats my Mommy My Mommy clobbers me My Grandpa is a Commie My Grandma pushes tea My sister wears a mustache My brother wears a dress Goodness Gracious, that’s why I’m a mess!
Eek! Officer Krupke, you’ve done it again This boy don’t need a job, he needs a Year in the pen It ain’t just a question of misunderstood; Deep down inside him, he’s no good!
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