By CELESTE NIXON

Tribune Staff Reporter

cnixon@tribunemedia.net

EXPRESSING “alarm” over the Commissioner of Police’s claim of a falling crime rate, a former Cabinet Minister called for hard proof to be produced.

Releasing a press statement yesterday, FNM Senator Zhivargo Laing noted that while Urban Renewal is fulfilling a useful function in demolishing derelict houses, statistics showing exactly how this made communities safer are needed before the programme can be deemed a success.

 He asked: “These may be useful things to do but are they bringing down murder, rape or robberies? Is the Commissioner of Police saying that they are bringing down crime in these areas and if so, where is his statistics to support same?  Is it making Bahamians across the Bahamas feel safer?”

 Mr Laing also challenged Commissioner Ellison Greenslade to explain why, if home demolitions and other Urban Renewal tactics have somehow resulted in less crime, why didn’t the force take this action before.

 He said: “Is he suggesting that the former administration kept him from doing these things or that he did not know that this was what needed to be done? Is that what he means by the comment that ‘now’ they can do their job?  Is the Commissioner saying that his new initiatives are only able to be implemented now that the government has changed? Then what in heaven’s name was his published strategic plan all about?

“Is he admitting that his plan was ineffective and that only Urban Renewal 2.0 was needed all along? The Commissioner produced the plan; he published it; and he was responsible for implementing it. It’s effectiveness is one of the statutory bases upon which his performance would be judged.”

 Speaking on Monday at Police Headquarters, Mr Greenslade said crime, including murder, is on the decline across the country thanks in part to “significant work” being done by police officers.

“We had a very difficult period earlier on in the year and you see now a distinct change in terms of what is happening. I must also tell you what is significant, we have arrested a number of prolific offenders and those persons are still incarcerated. That is also the reason why things have been quiet – so a combination of things happening at the same time,” he said.

“Serious crimes are not up. All of our numbers are down with the exception of armed robbery, which is up marginally, but all of the categories are down, including murders.”

Serious crimes such as rape and murder are down by six per cent overall and continuing to decline, Mr Greenslade continued.

Additionally, Mr Laing questioned whether Mr Greenslade’s support for the Urban Renewal programme was politically influenced.

 “As the murder count continues to climb, the Commissioner says Urban Renewal, not his crime strategy, is working. Is the Commissioner under pressure from the PLP administration to serve them, given their promise to give the Commissioner tenure once again,” he asked.

While in support of the commissioner carrying out his duty, Mr Laing said in order to combat crime the police must be unbiased and not influenced by political affiliations.

 “If we all must be a part of the fight against crime, then it will require leadership by the police that is absolutely free of politics,” Mr Laing said. “It must be a fight where the police are seen as purely professional and only on the side of the law.”