By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

MINISTER of National Security Dr Bernard Nottage yesterday defended himself from criticism that his recent national address on crime lacked innovative ideas, saying his detractors do not understand the root of the vexing problem.

He added that the government cannot “wave a magic wand” and erase crime, adding that those who expect a quick fix on the issue have got a “sad awakening” coming.

And while he was a vocal critic of the Ingraham administration’s crime fighting policies when he was in opposition, Dr Nottage maintained yesterday that he never blamed the former government for the escalating crime problem.

His comments came during a forensics training workshop at police headquarters hosted by the United States Embassy in Nassau.

“It speaks to me about how little people understand the critical issues we face in this country, illegal drugs, illegal firearms, gang formation - which for us, we have never seen the like of it before in this country,” Dr Nottage said about his critics. “And if people believe we can just wave a magic wand and solve the problems that we face, they have got a sad awakening.”

Dr Nottage told reporters that crime is not the fault of the government but of a troubled society. “The Christie administration is not guilty of anything. What we have is an unstable community at this present time,” he said, responding to questions from the media. “The Christie administration didn’t cause that. We have to face what the facts are - the facts are that we as citizens and parents have been derelict in our duty with our children.”

Dr Nottage also maintained that while others in the Progressive Liberal Party may have made crime a political issue while in opposition, he never blamed the former administration.

“I regret nothing that I said. There were people who were talking about how many murders - not me, you check the record.”

However, while speaking in the House of Assembly in June 2011, Dr Nottage said, “The ineffectiveness of the FNM to address growing crime trends and concerns to ensure that crime is kept at manageable levels, has resulted in a crime explosion.”

Many have criticised Dr Nottage for his crime address because it was not publicised and aired on a night when many Bahamians were preparing for the forecast arrival of Tropical Storm Erika last week. The speech has also been criticised for not having many new ideas and embracing concepts put forward by the former administration.

Underscoring his dissatisfaction with criticism from the media and political foes, Dr Nottage said he expected a greater degree of understanding by “senior” politicians and called on the press to play the role it ought to play in the crime fight.

He insisted that crime is not a difficult issue to solve once people take responsibility for their actions. “These young people who are creating the mayhem in the country that causes people to be fearful, are people from within our communities. (People) who we see every day, who we talk to every day and it’s about time that we take responsibility for them and for their behaviour.”

During his national address last Thursday, Dr Nottage laid out a number of concepts geared towards ending the scourge in criminal activity. One idea was a planned Parental Responsibility Bill meant to hold parents accountable for the actions of their minor children.

Dr Nottage said yesterday while the legislation was still in its infant stages, the government is strongly working towards making it a reality. When asked about the bill’s importance Dr Nottage said: “If parents are unable or unwilling to accept responsibility for the children that they have, then we are in serious difficulties because it is from the parents that children get their values.”

“It is not going to be easy, people are going to criticise it,” he said. “They are going to say it is inappropriate to have a law but, truth of the matter is the law is going to be there to ensure that parents - whether they are screaming - they understand that they have a responsibility for their own peace and security, and for that of the community.”

On Friday, Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis labelled Dr Nottage’s address as “inconsiderate, lacking depth and eons too late” while Democratic National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney also slammed the Cabinet minister’s address, saying it was filled with “hollow promises and political rhetoric”.