NOELLE NICOLLS

Tribune Features Editor

nnicolls@tribunemedia.net

Gang leaders are recruiting young men and their parents in inner city communities using door-to-door community walkabouts, no different than the community engagement strategy used by politicians and police, said Minister of National Security Dr Bernard Nottage yesterday.

Dr Nottage said ordinary citizens need to play their part to develop responsible homes, and responsible communities that do not support violence. The issue of violence, he said, is not only a criminal justice or human rights issues. He said it is also a concern of public health, and that ensuring the all around development of Bahamians would ensure peace.

“We will not be able toe ensure peace if we do not ensure all people enjoy the rights, the God given rights, to freedoms of expression, good education, access to health care, proper housing, opportunities to better themselves and to become fully fledged participating citizens of our country, not persons who are dependent, but persons who have the opportunity to develop their potential fully and then make use of their skills,” said Dr Nottage.

“The government stands ready to make whatever investments are necessary in this area, as we see it as the key to the security of our people and the development of our nation. Peace in the home, in the community, in the nation, and peace in you,” he said.

With such a small society, Dr Nottage said “we ought to be able to find a model that can counteract the deterioration in the nation’s values”. He lamented the breakdown of social structures, such as the family, church, and schools, which have a significantly diminished impact on the behavior of youth.

While he recognised, some people are “sick and tired” of hearing about Urban Renewal 2.0. Dr Nottage said: “If you speak to people in the community, you will see how important it is an instrument. Not the instrument, but one of the instruments.”