Crime is getting worse.
SHAKE THE POM POMS AND THE BUM BUMS.

The file pictures in these articles are hilarious sometimes.

Suggestions from an outsider. While it will take much more than the police to bring crime to a minimum there's still some things the police might need to do. There probably will be a lot of backlashing.There may be a need to move away from what the traditional way or "the way we've always been doing things"

(a) Could the Police department do more with the manpower it has until its able to get the body's it needs?

Example- In other countries the Prime Minister or President is protected and chauffeured by the military. Rather than putting the Defence Force on the street to fight crime, assign them to chauffeur the PM and whom ever else and also have them guard his home and office and whom ever else is chauffeured and guarded by the police which will allow these police officers to return to the streets.

(b) I've seen police vehicles (small bus) have at times six officers riding. 6 persons = 3 patrol cars or 6 patrol cars if its done the way it is in the US......I watch TV so its just thought.

(c) Until the crime situation is brought to a minimum, could the police band which has 30-50 maybe more police officers not sure, go to regular duty? If a state funeral comes up pull them or give overtime pay?

(d) Make the fire department a civilian department. Win win situation there, as it provides more officers on the street and jobs for persons interested in being firemen but not in being a policeman.

(e) Not sure how many work in this area but Civilianize the police dispatch area with well vetted, intelligent and trained persons, probably leaving a police in charge of the area. That should put more police on the street and more jobs for civilians.

(f) Is there really a need for the 15 or more police stations around this island of 21x7? Is it putting a dent in crime? dismantle them all build one central police station/jailhouse because jail is different from prison right? Use half the amount of officers stretched across these stations to facilitate the Central station/jailhouse and the other half put them on the streets.

(g) Maybe time to revamp the training program at the police college if it hasn't already been done? The whole thought of policing has to be super updated. Officer out of training should be ready for and given his service weapon, paired with a seasoned policeman, and put in a patrol car instead of flooding downtown with police in ceremonial uniforms. Put traffic wardens instead to direct traffic and give tickets on Bay..Win win more civilian jobs.

(h) is there a need for a whole " traffic divison"? or should that be every patrol vehicles business to investigates accident. Could still keep some cycle officers for special escorts and traffic surveillance and the part that deals with serious accidents. That should add more to the streets...I don't know but just saying.

(I) All for an air wing area but why not with a helicopter with the huge flood light instead of a plane to patrol and search from the air. It works in other countries. Dispatch the helicopter which should already have routine air patrols around the island, to every robbery and shooting incident

(j) revamp the K9 unit and use them more on patrols to search for those who criminals who "fled on foot". put more K9 Unit patrols vehicles each shift and they respond to every robbery and shooting incident.

(k) Seriously beef up CCTV and staff to really monitor it fulltime. Police cant be everywhere but where they fall short CCTV should pick up the slack. Put elevated sky watch or mobile patrol tower stations in hotspots manned by an officer or two.

(L) beef up the reserves. Sweeten the pot so to speak. Volunteerism in this area may not be working. Revamp it make it part-time with FULL medical coverage and pay more, properly account for the hours they work and train them properly, put them in a patrol car.

(M) Is there a computer generated study of hotspot statistics?

(N) Is there a unit that focusses on gangs to search find and shutdown?

(O) Police should be a well paying profession because of all they put on the line. Compensate them well for the job they do, give them the up-to-date equipment they need. Some of my cop friends say they have to hustle uniforms. Provide all of them with regular and up-to-date training, training, and more training.

Just some suggestions but then you hear the words, "we're not ready for that", "that's a US thing", "that will never happen", "this is the Bahamas",.....All it amounts to is a venting session. Im just a simple fellow who watches TV.

Every three months this government rolls out a crime plan. Absolutely lost

**Start At The Top. Get Rid Of Corrupt Politicians, Permanent Secretaries & Civil Servants**

Crime stems from the top down, not bottom up!

$100's of millions unaccounted for and the government doesn't blink and eye. Drug running, human smuggling and arms dealing cannot thrive without organised support from the powers that be.

Chasing warring "foot soldiers" is necessary but actually futile as the "big boys" will simply replace them with other scum graduates trained at the University Of Corrections.

The Crime Problem -
Perhaps we could try raising and educating our children to be law abiding, decent, and community loving Christian people.
It would save us a lot of money and a lot of blaming others for our problems.
The realities on the ground do not suggest that good parenting and good education are valued much here.
Otherwise, we'd be seeing better results.
Wouldn't we?

Dames is now singing for his supper. Dames who abandoned the Police Force for the
mighty dollar now has all of the answers. him and, the former Deacon. who can trust these
fellows.?

You're right Birdiebrain 'cause we can trust Perry Christie can't we? He would never lie to the Bahamian people would he?

As a career person it really makes me cringe when I hear people scold a person for moving on to accept an opportunity that could better a person and his/her family. We have got to stop this foolishness. At the same time while I wouldn't, I refuse to knock someone who decides to stay on one job all their life! Its their choice! So what if the man left the police force! He's not the first to have moved on though very knowledgeable of policing. Its obvious his leaving wasn't illegal.

Who of you in this day and age would turn down a job opportunity paying you probably 3-4 times your current salary? Who?????? Quit with that CRAP!!

Also perhaps if persons in other government agencies would follow this example, maybe...just maybe other qualified persons could be able to move up the career ladder instead of stunting a persons growth!!