NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames.
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Senior Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
AS yet another video of a lockdown party raises eyebrows, National Security Minister Marvin Dames lamented yesterday that law enforcement cannot police everywhere all the time.
The latest video shows more than 30 people gathered in what appears to be a backyard, drinking, eating and gyrating to music on Tuesday afternoon. No one was wearing masks or social distancing.
A person in the video explains the crowd is gathered for a birthday party and shouts expletives as loud music plays in the background.
It is not clear if police are investigating the matter. The Tribune did not receive a response to this up to press time.
Mr Dames, however, said people must be more responsible.
“If you live within a home and you decide to go out and have a party and people come and they show up and they’re in your home, it’s very difficult for police to manage and control that,” he said.
“A lot of this depends on us and how responsible we are as Bahamians. The police and defence force can’t manage everything. Look at the patterns throughout the world. It’s sad that people are ignoring these warnings and advice to them because at the end of the day this is not the people against the police, this is the government saying to its people ‘listen, we are in the midst of a crisis, a pandemic, here’s what you need to do to keep yourself safe and to keep your family safe.’
“This is not a fight or engagement with police. This is what responsible governance does so we all have to be responsible. I could very well have a party in my house, take some photos and push it on social media and people can say ‘what’s the police doing?’ Police may be totally unaware. If you go throughout this island during the lockdown, and I go and check on officers to see how they’re doing, there is nothing on the streets. The police and the defence force has been doing a tremendous job but it’s going to take more than them.”
Earlier this week, a group of young people were arraigned after they were arrested on Friday night on their way to a hotel for a birthday party.
Police found the six people on the side of the road after their car got a flat tyre. They were fined $400 each or two months in prison.
Comments
Hoda 4 years, 6 months ago
Life is a black mirror episode now. I just watched a video of a woman screaming outside red lobster because her to go order was taking to long, another one of a bunch of caucasians carrying on outside another restaurant because they refused to social distance cause the food wait time was to long. Interestingly in both those videos, the persons thought they were wronged or ignored. Human society's fragilily is very evident these days, maybe we need a little red lobster, liquor, company to hold it together or something. Either way seems we have convinced ourselves. Also, why keep recording it and posting it online? Have ppl become so addicted to social media and gratification, likes, is it recogniton, loneliness, da fuck? I wonder how workers will adjusting if e commerce, online, no need for brixk mortar environment is tomorrows way of the life - the growing potential for isolation?
Dawes 4 years, 6 months ago
I agree the police can't be everywhere to deal with this. however when there is a video you can get the people after the fact and take them to court.
The_Oracle 4 years, 6 months ago
Better remind a few of your senior political party members/ministry officials about parties during lockdown. As the Old Kansas song says, "Can I get get a Witness" Popo doesn't have the guts to charge them but hey, facts is facts.
DDK 4 years, 6 months ago
The police and defense force themselves have been partying straight through, as always 😂😎🤣
TalRussell 4 years, 6 months ago
Why some might conceive this as a slowly transistioning itself into a lawless governing administration?
How long now since colony's crown minister for PopoulacesOrdinary at-large security, comrade Marvin promised - he'd promptly report back on a number of incidents involving members Royal Constabulary, the most notable was alledged be that of which a constabulary car with a senior officer sitting in it with a full view the illegal activity being conducted was visibly seen be parked out in front an illegally operated liquor establishment of which the Owner has long done appeared before the court and duly sentenced by the Judge. Nod once for yeah, Twice for no?
Porcupine 4 years, 6 months ago
We have long talked about the direct impacts of a very poor educational system. When the family, schools, churches and governments continue for decades to place little emphasis and less resources towards educating our people, it is about more than just losing the ability to get a job. Stupidity, irresponsibility, and lack of empathy all take their toll on a society. Is this not evidenced here? I don't blame the police for this. I blame all of us for allowing idiocy to reign supreme in this country. Here it is front and center.
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