Wednesday, September 30, 2015
By RICARDO WELLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
rwells@tribunemedia.net
DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney yesterday accused the Christie administration of being soft on crime out of fear of losing votes in the 2017 general election.
Speaking to reporters at his law office, Mr McCartney claimed that Minister of State for National Security Keith Bell told him the government fears that placing tough sentences on criminals would result in decreased voter support.
“Keith Bell told me in the presence of Mario Moxey (pastor of Bahamas Harvest Church) that being tough on crime would lead to fewer votes,” Mr McCartney said. “I have always said that I would rather lose an election and save one life, (than) win an election and lose many lives.”
When contacted for comment, Mr Bell told The Tribune that Mr McCartney’s claims were “absolute rubbish.” He offered no further comment.
However, Mr McCartney said the disregard shown by Mr Bell reflects the PLP approach to crime.
“They do what they can, when they can. It is all for show.”
He added: “They said they had the plans to solve our crime problems from day one - day one - yet we are still plagued by the same issue year after year.
“This government has to get serious, they aren’t serious about protecting lives or governing this country. They are more concerned about getting re-elected and not governing.”
To date, there have been 112 homicides recorded in the Bahamas. On Sunday, a 23-year-old man was shot and killed in Nassau Village while on his way home from a barbershop. Three days earlier, a man was shot to death in Freeport at an apartment complex in Hudson Avenue.
Pastor Moxey could not be reached for comment up to press time.
Comments
TruePeople says...
“I have always said that I would rather lose an election and save one life, and not win an election and lose many lives.”
Bey....... how dat even make sense? bey... wtf?
you would rather lose (not win) an election and save one life, while losing many lives?
Posted 30 September 2015, 2:19 p.m. Suggest removal
AwayInSchool says...
At the time when he originally made his statement he said "id rather lose the election and save one life than win the election and lose many lives." The way he said it this time was just more confusing.
Posted 30 September 2015, 3:14 p.m. Suggest removal
asiseeit says...
Many Bahamians believe that the PLP is a criminal organization, they most certainly do not uphold the rule of law. Look no further than Blackbeards cay to see proof of this.
Posted 30 September 2015, 2:45 p.m. Suggest removal
VDSheep says...
The political rhetoric on all sides don't get it about crime! To take a bite out of crime - you have to address the cause. Causal of crime generally, is about economics. Address the economic disparities in the county - then we will see a reduction in crime. The addiction of political autism is rampant in all political parties. Hypocrisy is their religion, their rule of law and their way of life. The pillage on our way of life is depressing for most Bahamians. The Bahamas will not prevail until its people race to truth!
Posted 30 September 2015, 4:17 p.m. Suggest removal
DillyTree says...
Yes, if that's what it takes to combat crime. Surely it's about the good of the country and the Bahamian people, and not just about votes, right?
Oh, right, that's not how it works at all, is it? Sorry for daring to dream.
Posted 30 September 2015, 4:53 p.m. Suggest removal
sheeprunner12 says...
The PLP just passed a bill to expunge criminal records after 7 years ........... now they can go to convention and brag to their criminal supporters that "So said........ So Done"!!!!!!!
They are just bringing us all down to a low class, criminal friendly, jungalist society ...... I am convinced that they want to turn the whole Bahamas into an "over the hill town" ..... but the politicians will all live comfortably within their safe millionaire gated communities
Posted 30 September 2015, 8:55 p.m. Suggest removal
MonkeeDoo says...
No references, no cro report, just rip the employer off and keep going.
Posted 30 September 2015, 9:17 p.m. Suggest removal
Stapedius says...
Bran loves the headlines. Don't want to hear too much rhetoric on crime. Simply present your plans.
Posted 1 October 2015, 1 p.m. Suggest removal
Wideawake says...
If there is even a grain of truth in the comments supposedly made by Keith Bell, then this is cause for great concern. If the PLP needs " The Criminal Vote" to get elected, and if being deliberately soft on crime is a ploy to maximize this vote, then this country truly is on the road to lawlessness and destruction!
Posted 1 October 2015, 4:03 p.m. Suggest removal
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