Originally they told us it was just a small group of bad boys killing up one another. That was decades ago. Then they said most of the murders were retaliation killings by friends and family members of murdered victims. They supported that by saying 40 percent of murdered victims were were wearing ankle monitors or were recently released from prison. Today a record number of women and children were killed or injured by gunfire. Not long ago these type killings took place at night. Today murders are happening at any hour of the day or night and at anywhere on the island of New Providence. No holds barred. At one point the police we’re working 12 hour shifts to help combat crime and especially murders. It helped but only for the time the plan was in effect. Then crime and murder shot back up. Today citizens, who are beyond concerned, and in some cases panicked, are calling for the government to declare a state of emergency on Nee Providence and to put the Defense Force on the streets to compliment the police. This, too has its own challenges because the police and defense force officers don’t always get slot. Bottom line: the country is running out of options!

At the current rate, the country can easily see a new murder record in 2024. Police must now change its policing strategy from chasing gunshots and collecting dead bodies, to one that is more proactive and preventive. Remember they told us years ago, ‘ O it’s just a few bad boys killing up one another. The general public is safe from crime.’ Then they told you ‘It’s drug boys killing up one another over turf. Turf wars’. Then they told you ‘it’s retaliation. Fourty percent of murder victims have on ankle monitors and were out on bail.’ Facts are more women and children have been killed or injured in recent times than in a long time. Facts are many murdered victims are being killed when going about normal life. Some with children in their presence. Just before Covid, authorities were pondering implementing curfews to help control murders. Facts are, these killings are happening any hour of the day, any part of the island, making a late evening curfew ineffective. Remember when police were required to work twelve hour shifts to help curb crime. It may have been effective, somewhat. But the police had to fight with the government of the day to get paid for the overtime. The country is running out of options while the murder rate is increasing.

Yes these monitors are very , very suspect in a lot of these murders. Who had access to them? The data or ‘live’ information they provide? Is the system being breeched and aiding in tracking potential victims of murder? How many murdered victims were wearing ankle monitors when they met their demise?

They killing faster than God making days. Think they soon run outta people to kill? At least police found the Parkgate killer. Think he will get bail by Easter? Or Valentines?

UNLESS and Until government addresses the issue of the severe housing shortage on Nee Providence and some other islands, these illegal shantytowns will continue to pop up and continue to be a problem. And government needs to stop misleading the public into believing these shantytowns are only occupied be illegal immigrants when it seems Bahamians are the most drastically displaced when the Shantytowns are demolished. The case may be different in Abaco. So what has created this severe housing crisis on Nee Providence. Firstly the cost of multi family property had escalated by leaps and bounds. Then the cost of construction is so high, it is almost impossible to see a return on investing in apartments in a reasonable timeframe, then there are the issues of high maintenance and poor paying tenants that may put the landowner at risk of losing the property to the bank. On top of that, the average Bahamian no longer qualifies for a mortgage on even the most modest home.

Ignorance lead people to say stupid things. Is a a question of poverty or a housing crisis on New Providence that get people in these situations? The government acknowledges there is a housing crisis, but yet they break down these albeit illegal structures without addressing the main issue or ‘housing crisis’. So they put the displaced people in hotel rooms , only for a while, then tell them they have to leave. They bombard the media misleading the public that the shantytowns aren’t illegal structures constructed by illegal immigrants. But only in the middle of the demolition exercise does the public find out that at least half or more of the residents of the shanties are Bahamians or legal immigrants.

What s the significance of a grey or silver Japanese vehicle in the majority of these murders? Is that some sort of symbolism or a code for ‘mission accomplished?’ Like when a certain gang may be involved in the murder.

The horses have left the gate and they are running. This is turning out to be the bloodiest January in recent times. And remember the carnage started in earnest in December so is is unfair to cast blame on the PM. The national day of prayer wss held in earnest but more decisive action may be necessary. For one ‘suspect those ankle bracelets! ‘ Too many persons wearing them are being killed, I’d the monitoring system breeched? Who had unauthorized access to the locations of persons being monitored? Drastic and immediate action is necessary!

Remember the Bible also says to ‘pray without ceasing’. Meaning one must not use a prayer like a birth control pill that when you know you are at risk, you must go to God in prayer and expect everything to be alright. Everything will work out and be ok. Or even prayer as the ‘morning after pill’ when you pray only for forgiveness after a sin has been committed. The Bible says ‘in all things give thanks’. So you must give prayers if thanksgiving, of direction, of blessings received and safety and security, prayers for others, prayers when in doubt, when in sorrow, when disappointed.. in ALL things give thanks.

PRAY also that when police start confiscating ‘shiny tings’ from people, they give the person proper receipts or documentation for what they take. And PRAY also that when citizens show up to police stations with their receipts or proof of purchase, the police and /or the goods hasn’t disappeared.. you know this was a problem before when police would pull up on individuals, take their leather caps, phones, jewelry and even cash and tell th ‘come to the station to claim it.’ And PRAY it ain’t still like that !