By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

THE Free National Movement yesterday blasted the Christie administration for claiming it is “winning” the fight against crime at a time when Bahamians continue to fear for their lives amid “increased bloodshed.”

On Wednesday, State National Security Minister Keith Bell and Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson praised the government’s efforts to tackle crime while the murder count for 2015 currently outpaces last year’s figure.

Mr Bell further insisted that homicides should not be the sole indicator of how bad the crime situation is.

He also told the Senate: “We are winning because we have a comprehensive plan to address crime criminality. We have implemented programmes to attack crime and its causes.”

This statement has angered FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis who yesterday criticised the government for attempting to “fool” Bahamians.

“He (Senator Keith Bell) is such a clown,” Dr Minnis said, “and that is a clown statement. What control do they have when citizens and residents are expressing how frightened they are to sleep in their own homes and walk out of their houses?”

Meanwhile, former FNM Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner added that Mr Bell’s statements were “diabolic” and “asinine”. She said it was shameful that the government was attempting to change the rules of engagement now that the PLP is in office.

“I believe those are the most diabolic and asinine statements which goes to the heart of insulting every Bahamian in this country,” Mrs Butler-Turner said.

“This is the same government who mounted billboards of the murder count all around this country at the height of the 2012 election season.

“Let me ask, when did this administration decide to change the measuring stick for how they can be measured? It is a blatant disrespect and disregard for Bahamians.

“They are trying to change the rules of engagement of what one measures success. This is hypocritical and misleading.”

The Long Island MP said the PLP was elected on the platform that it had the solutions to crime.

She further criticised National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage, saying he had done Bahamians a great disservice by allowing the House of Assembly to adjourn last week in the absence of him delivering a communication to the 2015/2016 budget, which should have revealed his ministry’s plans for the new fiscal year.

“Murder is up 16 per cent under their watch,” she added. “What they are trying to do is use slick promotional campaigns to claim they are winning the war on crime. If they were, we would be addressing the heart of the matter, which is prevention.

“It is a huge disservice to the Bahamian people that crime being the number one fear that Bahamians face, we didn’t get a communication from the Minister of National Security. The minister has failed in that regard.”

Up to press time, there were 73 murders recorded this year, according to police. Last year at this point, according to The Tribune’s records, there were 63 homicides recorded, an increase of 16 per cent.

During his Senate contribution, Mr Bell seemed to criticise those who insist that the government’s “policies have fallen short and that the sole basis upon which (its) effort should be measured is the murder rate.”

He said: “Fundamentally, the reason why the murder rate is held in such a sacrosanct position in the eyes of Bahamians is because each murder represents a family’s suffering and a community’s loss.”

He added: “The crime statistics also clearly show that in almost every other crime category, we are stronger and that our policies are producing dividends. Where then do we go from here? We must be strong in the face of this challenge and unrelenting in our efforts to take our country back.”

While in opposition, the PLP heavily criticised the Ingraham administration for rising murder rates and other incidents of crime.