Marvin Dames, Minister of National Security.
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Senior Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames said it is “unfortunate” that convictions for breaching COVID-19 rules is showing up on some people’s police records.
He said his ministry continues to liaise with the Office of the Attorney General to address the issue.
“This is part of the struggle,” he told reporters yesterday. “The last thing we want to do is to see people get police records over us saying you got to be more responsible, it doesn’t make any sense. At the end of the day our goal is to ensure that we do our best, that people do not have police records. We’ve been working harder than any other government (at accomplishing that).”
Last week, Police Commissioner Paul Rolle said legislation is needed to remove criminal records for emergency order breaches that happened before the orders were amended so police could issue tickets to people as opposed to requiring them to appear in court.
“We don’t want it to be an impediment to persons,” Commissioner Rolle said. “So, whether the authorities decide to make it a civil penalty or a criminal penalty, whichever, then the law will take its course with that.”
Mr Dames also reacted to calls for more police officers on Bimini after video circulated on Sunday showing scores of people bunched together without masks on a beach.
“I saw the video,” Mr Dames said. “You had irresponsible individuals taunting the system and taunting law enforcement. That’s irresponsible, okay, and the police ain’t gon’ know about all of these things. They will find out. Those persons were cited and dealt with but this is something that you are confronting here. Businesses were cited here and continue to be cited. We have a team of COVID officers for Bimini and have been approved months ago.”
“We have approved a team of COVID officers for Bimini and the commissioner is responsible for assessing what the needs are, whether there are needs for additional (resources).”
Comments
TalRussell 4 years ago
My Comrade Marvin, you said it right how it is that so many “unfortunate decisions” executed by the 35 House-elected MP redcoats against the PopoulacesOrdinary at large POAL. Shakehead once for upyeahvote how all goin' counts Xs against you personally once the voting commences, twice for not so much?
JokeyJack 4 years ago
It won't matter how many people vote again the FNM in the next election. The new playbook has been released with the US election just held. Opposition observers will simply be kept 20ft - 50ft away from the counting table. What will they be able to observe? Nothing. What will be the outcome? A landslide FNM victory, of course. Just like in the US now, there will be "no evidence" of election fraud.
Of course there is no evidence when nobody could observe anything - LOL.
tribanon 4 years ago
Minnis is the one who deserves a criminal record more than any other Bahamian right now.
DDK 4 years ago
The whole virus scam is unfortunate.
TalRussell 4 years ago
My Dear Comrade DDK, a lot of us either know someone or a family that was touched by the virus or experienced firsthand.
It is far from being some political scam. Seems the rinsing out of the mouth with mouth wash which scientists say can kill the virus in 30 seconds.
But by means should you replace social distancing, frequent washing of hands, face-washing, and wearing face-covering. But the number one way to reduce risk is to stop swapping air. In fact, it's a solid 99.99% chance that you won't catch nor pass on the murderous virus if you'd just stop thoughtin's it's okay be swapping air.
Amused 4 years ago
Aren't they in power to fix the issue? Why make it sound so complex to fix when it's not
themessenger 4 years ago
Interesting to note he said, "that convictions for breaching COVID-19 rules is showing up on some people’s police records."
Only some people's records, not ALL people convicted records??? Or is this on your record sting directed by who ya Pa is, who ya Pa know, or da color of ya tee shirt? Just asking...............
stillwaters 4 years ago
Why should they get a free walk? They broke the law.......everybody else pays the price......why are they special?
tribanon 4 years ago
Then why don't you also explain why Minnis and D'Aguilar regard the foreign hotel guests and the foreign direct investors as first class citizens of The Bahamas while treating the vast majority of us Bahamians as second class citizens in our very own country.
stillwaters 4 years ago
Because the tourists bring the money that we stand in line with our hands out for. Without them , we starve.........without us, they're still okay. Many other countries they can vacation at.
tribanon 4 years ago
Good luck to you if you're trusting for Minnis and/or D'Aguilar to make sure you don't starve as a second class citizen in your own country. You're really gonna need it!
happyfly 4 years ago
the magistrate in Harbour Island last week was charging people $500 for first-time offenses for not wearing masks. People who haven't been able to work all year getting extorted by the justice system. In the meantime, everyone in Eleuthera has merely moved their social agendas to outside the weekend lockdowns because they don't have jobs because 99% of potential tourist business is turned away - either because the online covid visa system doesn't work, or the tourists have completely lost faith that our out of control PM will change the rules 24 hours before they arrive. The insanity of it all is withering.
FrustratedBusinessman 4 years ago
I'm afraid that things will get much worse before they get any better. Amazingly, some states in the US are going back to the lockdowns. SMEs are soon going to be non-existent in those areas. It makes me wonder how much longer this infinity loop of lockdowns and opening up will continue.
At the very least, the economic suffering that we are experiencing should permanently silence anyone critical of foreign investment in this country. I think that this government are poor negotiators, but it is blatantly apparent for all to see that we cannot survive without it.
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