AN anti-crime activist has called on the government to take strong action after cruise ship operators warned passengers about crime levels in The Bahamas.
The Rev CB Moss, the executive director of Bahamas Against Crime, issued a statement last night warning that not enough was being done to tackle “the monster of crime”.
“A few days ago,” said Rev Moss, “the cruise ship operators publicly expressed great concern over the high level of crime in downtown Nassau, and have issued a strong warning to their passengers.
“Coming so close on the heels of the second advisory on crime by the US Embassy to US citizens visiting The Bahamas, particularly New Providence, this latest ‘shot across the bow’ of our ‘tourism ship’ should not be viewed lightly. Except for a somewhat puzzled statement by the Minister of Tourism, there was no serious response.”
Last week, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe revealed that cruise ship visitors had been cautioned to take proper safety measures.
He said: “They are concerned about (crime), and they are very reluctant to advise in some instances because of what has happened in the past, particularly to the crew members. They are telling them not to go out or only attend Señor Frogs. A lot of the young folks go there. At all times, I think it is imperative for us as the host country to make sure that we have necessary security in place to protect the guests.
“So we have to be even more vigilant in the Ministry of Tourism. Together with the police we have to make sure that we have the security required for the protection of our guests.”
Rev Moss spoke of his fears if tourists are affected by crime. He said: “The monster of crime is chomping away at the fabric of our economy, and Bahamians, particularly the business community appear unaware, or uncaring that any serious incident of violent crime against US visitors (which could happen today) could plunge our economy into shambles.
“While crime has stubbornly resisted the strategies and the efforts of the authorities for many years, the crisis is escalating as bold public shootings have occurred, including the attempted murder of a very senior police officer. It appears that the Government is severely challenged in its efforts to deal effectively with this expanding crisis, notwithstanding the claim that crime is lower than last year.
“Recently, in the face of persistent violent crime, the Prime Minister, Minister of National Security and the Police Commissioner have all issued a call for people to come together to fight crime. The very obvious questions left unanswered by these officials are ‘Come together when, where, how and led by whom?’”
He called for serious action to be taken to bring different groups together to deal with the issue of crime. He said: “The lamentable call by these national leaders is so extremely sad, in fact tragic for, from 2007 (six years) Bahamas Against Crime has invited, implored, challenged and even pushed the governments to convene a National Conclave with the objective being the preparation of a focused, workable National Crime-fighting Plan. Until such a plan is prepared and implemented, any success against crime will be slow and painstaking.
“Bahamians are once again being warned that as a result of the high level of crime, our economy and indeed our entire society is slipping from the lofty position we once enjoyed internationally.”
Comments
John 11 years ago
I haven't supported the PLP in a very long time but, in my opinion, the reason the Pindling government did not face the crime monster and the rebellion monster that Hubert Ingraham and Perry Christie had to face is because he made government 'appear' to be more larger than it was, more powerful than it was, and more intelligent than it was. Even though more drugs was probably moved through these islands in the mid 1980's and early 1990's than the last two decades, crime of a violent nature, as we are experiencing today was never an issue. They said Pindling was an oppressor, but in fact he used his tactics to suppress opposition and to allow his government to excersise control over his people. He knew when to mix and mingle with his subjects and when to obscure himself from their view. Pindling realized that you don't have always be popular to be powerul. Sometimes the less people know of you, te mor respect they have for you. Unlike the past two prime ministers , the current one especially, who seem to spend too much time in the public light and in fro0nt of the cameras, Pindling did much of his administration from behind closed doors. When he had 20 plus policemen protecting his mansion that was a sign of security. WHen he had the defence force monirtering B.E.C 's distribution lines during times of union unrest, that was a sign of protection. and when he dispatched defence force ships to family island ports during elections that was sign of force. The force of a government elected by the people of the Bahamas And for the most part we had a civil society...now today anyone has the right to tell the prime minister to go jump off the bridge (he has two to choose from) and even push him if he refuse...we need to put strehgth back in governence. Our country is out-of-control.
positiveinput 11 years ago
The monster ot crime lives within our country because we as citizens don't know how to detect it when it first appears. In fact, what we think is the monster, actually isn't. In the comfort of our very homes it lives undetected until it is ready to emerge, whether or not the home may be one made up of both or just a single parent.
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