PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.
By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Deputy Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis is convinced Bahamians are no longer fearful of crime under his administration as was the case in years past, adding yesterday he was pleased with the accomplishments authorities have achieved in a short timeframe.
Two days after the second double homicide this week occurred, Dr Minnis contended one murder is still too much, but said the general feeling of fear, which existed before has “relaxed”.
He was responding to a question from The Tribune, which drew his attention to fear Bahamians say they feel in the aftermath of the killings.
Dr Minnis also repeated he remains an advocate for capital punishment by way of hanging as a deterrent to crime. However, he said he remains confined by Bahamian law. Hanging is on the law books for murder, however rulings from the London-based Privy Council have made it hard for the punishment to be carried out.The last hanging took place in 2000.
Of these week’s murders Dr Minnis said: “The police are investigating those matters. My understanding is that they have leads and whatever.
“But they’re doing what they are supposed to and I am convinced that the police will do what they possibly can. However when you look at what they are doing compared with the past, murder is down by over 36 percent which is quite a great accomplishment in such a short time. These two murders would have taken it up to 82, 83, but still it’s been years since the Bahamas has been less than 100.”
Earlier this week, press liaison officer, Superintendent Shanta Knowles said the murder count stood at 86; however she clarified yesterday that she misspoke and the actual count was 83 up to press time. There were 118 murders this time last year, according to The Tribune’s records. This represents a decrease of 30 percent according to The Tribune’s calculations.
He continued: “But one murder is still too much and the police are working aggressively. I cannot discuss their strategic plans going forward, but they are working aggressively to ensure that Bahamians are safe.
“Now when you talk to the average Bahamian yesteryear, there was great fear of crime. They were fearful of coming out of their homes, fearful of driving around etc. That fear has been relaxed. They’re no longer fearful of crime. They’re no longer fearful of going to shopping centres, environments etc and we will even decrease that even further.
“So I am greatly pleased an encouraged by what the police is doing.”
His statements came after two men, one of whom was being electronically monitored by police, were found shot to death in Jubilee Gardens early Wednesday morning in a car with its motor still running. The men were reportedly cousins.
According to police, gunshots were reported in the Jubilee Gardens community sometime after 11.45pm on Tuesday.
Responding officers later discovered the bodies of two men with injuries in a car parked in the driveway of a residence in that neighbourhood.
EMS personnel were called to the scene to give assistance, but were unsuccessful in reviving the two men. They were pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.
The homicides came a day after a man and his fiancée had been shot dead during a morning ambush at Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre on Monday.
On Wednesday RBPF press liaison officer, Superintendent Shanta Knowles said while police were still looking for leads, they had no evidence to connect the two incidents.
She added that police were actively working both cases and “hoping that as quickly as possible, we can resolve them.”
Comments
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 4 months ago
Dimwitted Minnis is about as delusional as they come! LMAO
Chucky 5 years, 4 months ago
Minnis could have kept his mouth closed and left us thinking he's a stupid fool, but he chose to flap his gums and remove all Doubt!
He ain't think we fear? Perhaps he should go about town at night without his bodyguards and see what nightlife is like for anyone who brave enough to go out.
Perhaps he can count how many restaurants done close up cause ain't nobody come anymore.
Schemer18 5 years, 4 months ago
Who told him to say this idiotic crap? We just had four persons gunned down this week, & all the bad criminals are in the cemetery.
tell_it_like_it_is 5 years, 4 months ago
Wow... why would he say something that makes him look so foolish?
[slowly tryin ta pick up my bottom lip off da floor!]
sheeprunner12 5 years, 4 months ago
Out Island people are deathly afraid of going to Nassau ........... he lying.
TalRussell 5 years, 4 months ago
Talk among comrade PM's colleague members Imperial crown has it that none them are expected lower their fear of moving freely among and about people levels after PM's telling how everyone can now feel safe sufficiently enough for PM he self nor any his crown colleagues, including KP, Marvin and Carl Wilshire to want rush be lowering their security protection details and turn in any sidearm pistols that may have been issued to them. {No, not even highly paid and transported from Trump campaign's set republican paid political and image advisors operating deep behind the armed policeman's doors PM0 - would've dared write such tall tales pronouncements up |
Porcupine 5 years, 4 months ago
Poor PM Minnis. He does not seem to have a firing brain cell in his head. And, the Bahamian people elected this man to represent them. With choices like this, The Bahamas seems not to have a chance in hell. His statements would be an embarrassment for a 10 year old in any decently educated society. But, not here.
DonAnthony 5 years, 4 months ago
The Bahamian public did not really vote for him, it was overwhelming an anti PLP vote. He just happened to be the lesser of two evils. We were so sick and tired of the PLP anyone in opposition was going to win.
BahamasForBahamians 5 years, 4 months ago
FAKE NEWS
birdiestrachan 5 years, 4 months ago
The doc is out of touch with reality. He is a true liar because he believes his own LIES
pingmydling 5 years, 4 months ago
Why you all so biggity with our dear PM.? I feel so much safer knowing the killing rate has declined and our dear leader is keeping me safe--------- or maybe it has something to do with the new 44 Magnum I just acquired!!!!
DDK 5 years, 4 months ago
PURE UNADULTERATED BULL. The man lie so easily The People afraid of HIM!
TheMadHatter 5 years, 4 months ago
I am no fan of this secretive administration, but i must give them credit for the murder rate being below 100. Congratulations. It has been many years since it was below 100.
If the murder rate had doubled over last year people would be laying the blame at his feet. So give him credit for the opposite people.
Again, i do not support them because they will not report where our money is going. Secret loans, secret expenses, secret accounts etc. That is a path to dollar devaluation.
Chucky 5 years, 4 months ago
Any no pm gots butt in to do with murder rate, unless he employ gun for hire.
When the murderous folk go to kill, they kill, perhaps the odd one gets inadvertently stopped by police and searched, and looses his gun.
Murders happen as much as murderers want, that's all.
TheMadHatter 5 years, 4 months ago
Then nobody should blame him or govt.
Clamshell 5 years, 4 months ago
My “drill” when I have to visit Nassau: Avoid downtown if possible, carry as little cash as necessary, and in my hotel room with the door double-locked by sunset.
It’s a shame to have to hide in a hotel room and dine on Cheetos and a Coke in the nation’s capital.
TalRussell 5 years, 4 months ago
To buy into comrade "feel good" PM's decreasing fear among population - we should expect the cruise ships to stop with their disencouragement passengers wanting wonder around and about we Nassau Town - followed by more positive feel good US state department's travels alerts Nassau Town on their website.... and sale offered on overstocked security bars dwellings residents windows and doors.
Honestman 5 years, 4 months ago
This FNM administration has proved to be so disappointing. They are no more than the PLP in red jerseys. This party came to power on the promise of being a truly transparent and straight talking government. They are neither. The PM's observation that we are all feeling safer is either delusional or he really thinks the populace is stupid. PEOPLE DO NOT FEEL ANY SAFER THAN THEY DID UNDER THE PLP.
proudloudandfnm 5 years, 4 months ago
What a stupid statement....
Seriously, the FNM can't do better than doctor dummy?????
Dayum…..
proudloudandfnm 5 years, 4 months ago
When I go Nassau I leave my watch at home. I don't go out for drinks and do my best to be in my room with the door locked before sun down. And that aint about to change....
DonAnthony 5 years, 4 months ago
I thought the prime minister was tone deaf and living in a bubble before.... I am convinced of it now. I never feel safe anywhere in Nassau. Never.
pingmydling 5 years, 4 months ago
I have a plan. We take the PM to Nassau Village at about 10pm. We take away his limo, we take away his bodyguards, Then we leave him to find his way home. Guess how safe he is feeling?
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 4 months ago
Excellent idea....especially given the PM's confession that he heads east when he should be going west and west when he should be going east, never knowing whether he's headed east or west. LMAO
quavaduff 5 years, 4 months ago
this frequent tourist is afraid of this gun violence
TalRussell 5 years, 4 months ago
There is no being accidentally hilarious about the stupid the comrade PM and his sidekick KP does utter - it is in their DNA from birth. The PM on feeling safer and KP on way he running all scared away policing charities.
John 5 years, 4 months ago
Things are improving, yes but the public is still cautious of public places and strangers. And the hostility of some police officers, when dealing with the public, does not add to the situation. Not all you know, but some may be battle fatigued and may need to be transferred to different departments or made to take refresher classes if only to catch themselves, or to know they do not hold the law in their own hands, only the enforcement of it. Hopefully, the murder count will stay under 90 this year and will fall to under 50 by next year. Then Bahamians can let their guard down, lil bit and relax. Progress is being made, yes. And we will all benefit from a safer and less crime-ridden, if nor crime free, Bahamas. And remember most of the crime, including murders, happens in New Providence. You can still leave your keys in your vehicles (except it is an offence), or sleep with your door open on many of the Family Islands< even some parts of Grand Bahama.
sheeprunner12 5 years, 4 months ago
Do you work in the OPM????? ....... sound like a damn brown noser
SP 5 years, 4 months ago
Talking fool is a very serious thing, failing at bullshitting us is on a whole different level!
sheeprunner12 5 years, 4 months ago
Minnis needs to see a specialist CPSA doctor ....... For his acute Foot in Mouth Disease
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 4 months ago
The one thing I'm convinced of is they have no idea why murder is down 30%. For all we know the gunmen are worse shots. The weird thing is, he says this dumb statement the one time of year when literally everybody looking over their shoulders. How long will the FNM suffer us Minnis, Turnquest and Johnson?
sheeprunner12 5 years, 4 months ago
USA no different .......... Trump, Pence & McConnell ...... At least John Kelly & the Speaker gone now ......... They caught sense.
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