Thursday, June 19, 2014
By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
ALTHOUGH 62 murders have been recorded for the year so far, statistics show that most major crime categories have decreased significantly, National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage announced yesterday.
During his contribution to the 2014/2015 budget debate, Dr Nottage said officials saw a major decrease in several crime categories.
He said murder decreased by four per cent; rape fell by 15 per cent; attempted rape fell by 64 per cent; unlawful sexual intercourse fell by 35 per cent; armed robbery fell by 18 per cent; robbery fell by nine per cent; housebreaking by 25 per cent and stolen vehicles by 32 per cent.
He was speaking about crimes in New Providence for the period January 1 to June 10.
Describing the crime situation in the country as “an evil that no one can claim immunity from,” Dr Nottage said the Christie administration has moved toward its crime prevention agenda with a view to dealing with the spectra of crime in all of its forms.
He said: “Despite our wish for things to get considerably better now, we did not get to this terrible state overnight. It took over two decades of erosion and neglect in many spheres that has led us to the place where we are today. I believe that we are going to have to continue to forge ahead with all of our energies, best intentions, goodwill, skills and abilities to right this ship of state.
“Based upon the alignment of police resources and directed efforts of saturation patrols, we are now experiencing an encouraging trend.
Dr Nottage said the government has spent several million dollars to allow the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s work to become more effective. New equipment, he said, included new vehicles and their detailing, weapons and ammunition and police radio sets among other things.
“Due to our capabilities, members of the force have taken over 200 illegal firearms and nearly 3,000 rounds of illegal ammunition off the streets of our country for the year to date. Most of these weapons and ammunition have been recovered in New Providence. We have been successful in arresting and charging a number of firearm traffickers and we are now much more aware of how these illegal tools of death are entering our country.
“As a result of this new knowledge, we have adopted new strategies and we are working closely with regional and international partners. We have also brought new tools to bear in this fight to rid our communities of illegal firearms,” Dr Nottage said.
Commenting on crimes against tourists in the capital, Dr Nottage said it was an untruth to say New Providence was not safe for visitors. He said a vibrant tourism policing unit has yielded good results.
Comments
ThisIsOurs says...
Numbers?
Posted 19 June 2014, 11:57 a.m. Suggest removal
Cobalt says...
Mr Nottage.... we understand that no one particular government is to blame for crime. We understand that crime is a nation wide problem that reflects poorly on everyday Bahamian citizens seeing that we are the ones who engage in criminal activity. We understand that both governments have spent millions of dollars in resources to combat crime. We understand that our police force can only react to crime seeing that proactive steps are sometimes expensive, difficult, and fruitless. We understand that crime is the sum of a number of problems plaguing our country. But..... please don't insult the intelligence of Bahamian people by stating that crime statistics are down. If crime was down, then why are you and Keith Bell still carrying fire-arms??? Stop talking nonsense and at least try to get to the root of the problem. Crime is rampant in the Bahamas because the basic social fiber of the country, which is the home, is in disarray. The best and most efficient way to combat crime is to focus on the home as a unit while spurring employment opportunities. Admonish young and old Bahamians about the importance of family planning.... even if it means abstinence or birth control. Statistics have supported the idea that these fundamental steps have proven effective in the past. You are a minister for crying out loud. Exercise your resources. (Suck my teet)
Posted 19 June 2014, 12:20 p.m. Suggest removal
bahamama says...
Cobalt makes an excellent point. I would also like to add that there is a great difference between crime that is COMMITTED and crime that is REPORTED. This is a very important distinction to make. So yes, maybe REPORTED crime rates are down, but it would be naive to think that crime itself has actually gone down. Especially crimes such as rape, which are rarely reported in the first place.
Posted 19 June 2014, 2:45 p.m. Suggest removal
Cobalt says...
Exactly! And hospital personnel at the PMH have already explained this to Bernard Nottage. So what is he talking about???
Posted 19 June 2014, 3:12 p.m. Suggest removal
Well_mudda_take_sic says...
This guy is a dead beat liar cut from the same cloth as Miller.....he belongs behind those bars he is standing in front of in the photo to this article!
Posted 19 June 2014, 4:15 p.m. Suggest removal
sheeprunner12 says...
Old school voodoo criminal reporting ............................. BJ needs a wake-up call like Lil Brave
Posted 19 June 2014, 8:27 p.m. Suggest removal
Tarzan says...
1. Crime is down!
2. 30,000 new jobs have been created!
3. A new regressive sales tax called VAT is not going to break the backs of poor working Bahamians who cannot make ends meet now!
4. The results of the referendum on the status of numbers shops were generally misunderstood, the voters in fact wanted to legalize them!
5. Members of Parliament don't pay their taxes or their BEC bills, or file their legally required financial disclosure forms, but there is nothing to see here, move on, no comment!
5. Heaven on earth has come!
Posted 20 June 2014, 9 a.m. Suggest removal
sheeprunner12 says...
Its called banana republic propaganda 3.0 .. Pindling, Christie 1.0 and 2.0
Posted 20 June 2014, 9:11 a.m. Suggest removal
PastorTroy says...
Respectfully, can we agree to disagree, that the Doctor is way over his head? Minister of National Security?? What happen to former LEO's? isn't this Gentleman (a word I use very direct) a Gynecologist or something? Has the talent pool run dry for specific talents in The Bahamas? or politician and their crony's have everything on 'lock?' We really need to push for FREE good quality education in our Bahamaland, or we'll keep recycling the some old 'door-stoppers' and their spawn every election cycle.
Posted 20 June 2014, 1 p.m. Suggest removal
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