The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

PASTORS and police officers spoke to the mother of a recent murder victim yesterday during an Urban Renewal tour of the Grants Town community. The woman’s son, Joshua Darling, was killed last Saturday.

Clearly stricken with grief, the mother sobbed and said “killing people cold really needs to stop”.

The mother and her daughter said the police presence in the area has increased, making people feel safer.

“We have more police walking through the neighbourhood which people see as a deterrent to crime,” said Inspector Roderick McKenzie. He said “persons are coming into urban renewal offices seeking assistance and they are comfortable doing so because they get social assistance rather than get locked up. We talk to persons and assist them via the various government agencies rather than through the courts. I believe we are making inroads towards solving the crime problem in this country,” he said.

Former DNA candidate Rodney Moncur was also a member of the tour and said it was an honour to be asked to offer his assistance.

“I found the extended invitation an honour. It’s an honour to participate in the walk-about because anything that can be done to reduce violence and the level of murders will gain my support,” he said. “Young men I have known have been systematically killed. We should do all we can and remember that the success of the Urban Renewal and Project Safe Bahamas depends on punishment. Murderers must be hanged.”