OPPOSITION leader Michael Pintard flanked by Free National Movement deputy leader Shanendon Cartwright, St Anne’s MP Adrian White, former Senator Darren Henfield and other FNM party members and supporters during a press conference at the entrance of the Office of The Prime Minister yesterday. Photos: Dante Carrer
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS and DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Staff Reporters
FREE National Movement leaders held press conferences in New Providence and Grand Bahama yesterday to slam the Davis administration’s reaction to the soaring murder rate, which FNM leader Michael Pintard said is an epidemic.
Mr Pintard and others discussed the matter outside the Office of the Prime Minister while East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson and others addressed it in Grand Bahama.
“We’re here because we’re facing the tragedy of so many mothers, fathers, and children grieving for their loved ones who have died over these many years,” Mr Pintard said.
“But especially we look at this month alone, 17 murders have been committed in this month that has not yet ended. Enough is enough.”
OPM director of communications Latrae Rahming dismissed the FNM’s talk as “political grandstanding”. He said the administration has an open-door policy and would discuss the murder problem with other political parties.
Mr Pintard noted that Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis recently travelled outside the country.
He argued the prime minister, the commissioner of police, and the minister of national security are at odds about how to solve the murder issue.
“The prime minister has one view on how we ought to combat the gang issues,” he said. “The minister of national security, on the other hand, points out all the legal impediments to the approach that the prime minister has offered.
“The prime minister says it’s too much crime. We say it’s a crisis. We say it’s an epidemic. The commissioner of police says they have it under control.”
Over the weekend, two men and a woman were murdered, bringing the country’s murder tally to 17. Chief Superintendent of Police Chrislyn Skippings said despite this, the country is still safe.
Although Grand Bahama has recorded no murders so far this year, Mr Thompson said it is important that trials happen sooner to prevent those accused of serious crimes from being on bail for too long.
Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis focused on residents, saying: “Come forward with information and do not wait until it affects your home.”
Comments
birdiestrachan 9 months, 3 weeks ago
mr pintard is looking for political points they seem to take victory laps when people are killed
birdiestrachan 9 months, 3 weeks ago
mr pintard is looking for political points they seem to take victory laps when people are killed
wellsy242 9 months, 3 weeks ago
birdie wasn't it your government who plastered all the murder signs when they were in opposition? were the plp looking for political points then too?
TalRussell 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Is Comrade "Thank God for Life" Pearly --- Guest co-hosting Guardian's News-Talk Radio Show ---- Fresh out calling for the --- Electric Chair as an alternative to hanging for executions because it appeared to be quick and less gruesome, more reliable. --- More reliable as in The Executioner --- Relying on BPL to supply the electricitys'?----Amen! --- Yes?
sheeprunner12 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Shit, enough was enough from Pindling time around 1977..
Pintard is 40 years late
DWW 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Said it before and I say it again. get rid of the motivation and source of funding of the gangs through elimination of the black market drugs. if they don't have a market they don't have money and there won't be a reason to protect the turf... simple answers which have been proven in countries around the world. Portugal is a prime example and the murder rate dropped dramatically after they started treating it as a medical issue instead of a criminal one. We made the bed we sleep in and any amount of religious pontification will not change the status quo. But politicians like rhetoric not solutions.
birdiestrachan 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Did the FNM show in Nassau occur in the same time as the Freeport show those FNM fellows are drowning and they are hanging on to straws shame on them while people weep they take victory Laps and talk foolishness
wellsy242 9 months, 3 weeks ago
It was ashamed when the PLP erected murder rate billboards. Birdie why don't you speak on that when the PLP was in opposition
Sign in to comment
OpenID