By DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement Leader Michael Pintard has accused the government of forcing dozens of police officers in Grand Bahama out of government-provided housing with little time to secure alternative accommodations.
However, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe dismissed his claims as “reckless and misleading,” insisting the eviction notices reflect a routine administrative decision Police Commissioner Shanta Knowles made without interference by the Davis administration.
He said officers were given three to six months to transition to private housing, with the option to request more time if needed; he claimed not a single officer had done so.
“The housing assessment applies to officers who have lived in government-provided rentals for at least five years — some for as long as two decades — at the expense of the police budget,” Mr Munroe said in a statement.
Mr Pintard, who hosted a press conference yesterday near one of the residential complexes housing officers at Tripp Circle alongside Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis, claimed as many as 50 officers had been given eviction notices, with some ordered to vacate their residences within two, three, or six months.
He challenged the government’s position, saying many officers have extenuating circumstances, including financial hardship, medical challenges, and difficulties securing transfers back to their home islands.
“We are asking the Ministry of National Security to have a heart and design a plan that will deal with officers based on their individual circumstances,” Mr Pintard said. “We had an opportunity to speak with more than ten officers who expressed concerns about the short timelines given and the lack of alternative solutions. These are officers who lived through Dorian and struggled.”
Mr Munroe, however, said the issue is about enforcing longstanding policy and ensuring that public funds are spent appropriately.
“The Commissioner of Police is now correcting this issue by enforcing the standard policy: once an officer is deemed domiciled, they must either assume responsibility for their housing costs or relocate,” he said.
“Officers have been given six months to make these arrangements. The government has also forgiven the financial obligations that officers should have assumed long ago — a move that underscores fairness, not hardship.”
He accused Pintard of attempting to manufacture controversy for political gain, adding: “Pintard’s decision to ignore the facts proves that his goal was never to advocate for officers but rather to manufacture controversy. This kind of reckless behaviour from the Leader of the Opposition is not just irresponsible — it is dishonest.”
Mr Pintard argued that officers have spent their own money to make some of the homes livable, particularly after Hurricane Dorian, and questioned why they are being removed now. He called for alternative solutions, such as allowing long-term occupants to purchase the properties or implementing a rent-to-own programme.
“There is no shortage of buildings in Grand Bahama that the government can acquire and refurbish to accommodate officers,” he said.
“Furthermore, the government could facilitate officer homeownership through the Mortgage Corporation.”
Lewis added: “Many of these officers have families — wives and children who will be directly affected. All they are asking is to be a little more reasonable.”
Comments
birdiestrachan 16 hours, 29 minutes ago
The toggie and boggie guy will say and do ANYTHING if he believes it will help him to Be PM
birdiestrachan 16 hours, 21 minutes ago
Can ms Bostwick name one thing that the FNM PARTY DID TO ADVANCE THE AVERAGE Bahamian. For whomever the bell tolls is drawing near Perhaps she should endeavor to be truthful
ExposedU2C 13 hours, 51 minutes ago
Pintard is much too easily distracted from staying fully focused on the most important unaddressed political issues. Wimpy Davis long ago figured out that Pintard, like Minnis, is a light weight in politics because he cannot resist skipping to and mouthing off on whatever much less important matter is thrown out there by the PLP as the topic du jour.
When was the last time he called for a press conference to remind the Bahamian people of the five or six most important matters that the corrupt Davis led PLP government have failed to address. In fact, as leader of the opposition, he should be holding such a press conference at least monthly.
Pintard has yet to realise that there is a reason why many of the world's most successful politicians often sound repetitious. It's because they stay focused on the most important unaddressed issues to ensure they are driven home in the minds of voters before an election campaign even begins. Even President Trump quickly learned this simple fact as a new comer to politics in 2015/16, but then again I guess he had plenty of experience in the art of branding himself through repetition long before entering active politics.
The politics for the day is controlled by the politician who sets the agenda for that day. Unfortunately Pintard tends to let his political zone for the day become too easily flooded by the governing party with no much resonating and sticking in the minds of the voters.
birdiestrachan 12 hours, 26 minutes ago
Corrup corruption Bahamians say it takes one.to know.one doc went all over the world at taxpayers expense Calling the Bahamas and it's people corrupt just plain old fools with loose tongues
TalRussell 10 hours, 16 minutes ago
50++ Policemans' confirmed as too busy fightin'-off housing and furnitures' evictions by they Landlady, LadyCoP; --- leaves but few remainin' on active duty to watch over to protect Freeporters' from the criminals. -- Are all Policemans' vehicles accounted for? --- And, how many are on paid bedside leaves? -- Should I be as brash as to inquire as to who's all on Garden Leave? -- Comrades, 'tis not made up. -- 'Tis a Freeport reality. -- Yes?
hrysippus 7 hours ago
Most regular posters on this site now know that "BirdieStrachan: is actually the nom-de-plume of a PLP politician currently out of elected office but who is famed as a committed bachelor.
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