By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
A CONTROVERSIAL policing strategy that emphasises pursuing people who commit minor crimes is at the centre of the Democratic National Alliance’s proposed plan for curbing violent crime in the country.
As the Bahamas remains on pace to record more murders this year than last year, DNA Deputy Leader Christopher Mortimer said yesterday that police must “sweat the small stuff” like driving without seat belts and running red lights in order to restore order and deter people from committing more serious crimes.
Although his proposed strategy, commonly referred to as the “broken windows policy,” has created controversy in some parts of the world, it has also been credited with reducing violent crime such places as New York, which saw its crime rate dramatically decline during the 1990s when the policy was implemented.
“You have to sweat the small stuff so people will realise there are repercussions for their actions,” Mr Mortimer said. “They will end up taking law and order in the country more seriously. But if people believe the government doesn’t care about certain things, they will continue to do those things. People have to be sure and appreciative of their government’s commitment to doing what’s necessary to ensure that order is maintained. We allow children to roam the streets during school hours and nothing happens, for example. Where are the truant officers?”
The controversial “broken windows policy” attracted attention recently when a man died in New York after US police officers attempted to arrest him for selling untaxed cigarettes. He was placed in a choke hold as police officers wrestled him to the ground to subdue him.
Critics of the policy say it results in over-policing and mass incarceration while lacking empirical evidence to prove its worth. Those who support it believes it helps restore order.
Mr Mortimer said the kind of appreciation for law and order which the policy aims to produce must first start with parliamentarians who are called to lead by example.
“We must start to deal with crime wherever it is,” he said. “Sometimes it starts right in the House of Assembly because the majority of people in the country feels that if the politicians could get away with obvious crimes then why can’t they do so too? Let’s start then by punishing members of Parliament who refuse to (make public disclosure of their assists) when they know it’s against the law and then when politicians set a proper example, people will be prepared to follow their lead.”
Mr Mortimer also reiterated his party’s stance that capital punishment is important to fighting violent crime in the country.
He added: “We need to bring a level of national service or system that works whereby we could give at risk children an opportunity to gain lifelong skills.”
He said a DNA government would not have invested millions to set up the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute because if crime trends continue “there won’t be much Bahamians to eat the food coming out of BAMSI.”
Mr Mortimer added: “We would’ve spent $100m making sure the courts work and we have money for the police force.
“Those are the things that have to happen if we are serious about making sure the country becomes safe.”
According to Tribune records, 84 murders have taken place in 2014 so far. The killings of a high profile government employee and five others within the last week have focused renewed attention on the government and whether it has adequately proposed strategies to address violent crime in the country.
Comments
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 8 months ago
Let's start with Members of Parliament, Cabinet ministers and Ministers of Stare who become millionaires in two years. Something us wrong with that picture. Tiefin', bribery, corruption, unethical behaviour in government officials, start with that, lead by example. Someone other Gibson PGC has to take that role cuz he doesn't know what lead by example means
SP 9 years, 8 months ago
Touché........I Absolutely agree 110%. Corruption starts from the top & works downward not from the bottom.
Conflicts of interest between business and elected officials here are so rampant that Members of Parliament, Cabinet ministers and Ministers seem to think it is acceptable.
How is it possible that a country world renown for corruption with Members of Parliament, Cabinet ministers and Ministers has never convicted one for corruption?
Government is so steeped in corruption they are unable to function.
Don't forget monster # 1, illegal Haitian migration. Haiti's criminals are thriving in the Bahamas. The government never mentioned that they are aware recent Haitian prison escapees were caught in the last few boats of apprehended illegal immigrants.
Who is the high placed powerful individual that stops every Minister of immigration from apprehending and deporting illegal Haitians and putting teeth in our immigration policies?
The crime problem will never be resolved and can only escalate as long as corruption continues to be allowed to thrive unabated in the halls of Parliament.
TalRussell 9 years, 8 months ago
How many Tailban's does it take to change a light bulb, up on Village Road? Comrades you know something, I never imagined there were more than just the self-appointed leader standing on a soap box out front that prestigious Village Road law offices. Oh no, now there even more (all appointed by the same man, who appointed himself as they leader) on that same soap box, dispensing what is sounding more like some kind of vision of Taliban justice? Wasn't Bran's advocating for the public whipping of lashes into the backs of our adult citizens as a tourist a tourists attraction in Rawson Square, Taliban mentality enough? Maybe it was the greens one, that a husband shouldn't be charged for raping his wife? Now, their focus is being to turned on our young one's being shown real punished for what - breaking a neighbor's window with they balls - cause the good lord knows you don't want run the risk of them growing up to become illegal numbers operators and sellers. Now, do you? And, I thought the PM had shit ass advisers around him? But is this just a case of the green's leader getting bad advice, or is he the one dishing it out? I guess if elected as PM come 2017, Bran's day one priority would be to hire a team of Hangman's and back whippers under a piece meal (per neck snapped or amount lashed inflicted) contracts. Comrade Bran just in case you're not aware of the present pay scale for hangman's summoned in early morning hours to Her majesty's Fox Hill Prison, it's $1610.35 per hanging performed. your guess be as good as mine how much you'd pay back whippers.
mangogirl01 9 years, 8 months ago
Lmao! Say Talibans on Village Road!! He's dishing out and getting bad advice at the same time, ya know what happens when a green dilly doesn't ripe properly!
birdiestrachan 9 years, 8 months ago
Mr: Mortimer is talking foolishness they would not have invested in BAMSI because there will be few Bahamians to eat it. If that is not dumb what is.? If those laws have not worked in the USA why will they work Here. ? running a red light is a far cry from killing a human being.
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 8 months ago
He's talking about ORDER birdie, Law and ORDER. if citizens start believing they can get away with minor infractions they will start testing the patience of the law on bigger and bigger infractions. Every civil society operates on the premise of order.
pilgrimagerock 9 years, 8 months ago
He said a DNA government would not have invested millions to set up the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute because if crime trends continue there won’t be much Bahamians to eat the food coming out of BAMSI.
This wannabe clueless Deputy Prime Minister is talking nonsense just like his party Leader.
TalRussell 9 years, 8 months ago
Comrades if only I had the luxury of a fact checking team, likewise which obviously that high-priced Village Road law chambers have not bothered to have engaged, I sure as hell wouldn't pay them good moeny to go chasing after non-existent data. Data that would show not wearing your damn seat belt can lead to serious personal injury or even dead you - but not act as the stepping stones to a life of committing acts of serious criminality.
TalRussell 9 years, 8 months ago
by TalRussell
SP 9 years, 8 months ago
There is no reason for crime to be so high in Bahamas.
Firstly we need to get rid of all the crooks in the good old boys club and politics.
Corrupt politicians are the fist hurdle that must be dealt with if we are to get control of crime. Throw these scum in jail in the first instance.
Secondly implement punishments similar to that of Singapore which has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-s...">https://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-s...
This whole crime problem could be brought under control in 4 Months or less if WE THE PEOPLE got serious with the corruption we all acknowledge and discuss daily that exist in the halls of Parliament!
The_Oracle 9 years, 8 months ago
The Laws of the Bahamas were eroded one law at a time, one rule at a time, The only way to restore law and order is both top down and bottom up. Enforce ALL laws, cite every infraction, Investigate the finances of all politicians, Follow the dirty money trail, Those who would rule must fall further when caught out betraying the country. Seizure of ill gotten assets, payoffs, crony slush funds, all Treason against the people of the Bahamas.
themessenger 9 years, 8 months ago
Absolutely correct. The decline in law and order didn't happen overnight, it began back in Pindling's time but no serious effort has been made to arrest that trend in the last forty years, corruption has become the status quo. Show us any government awarded contract, BAMSI included, that doesn't have strings attached to some politician. Show us real not selective enforcement to include prosecution of those in high places who think they're immune. Perhaps we should ask the British to come back, if they'd have us, as we continue to prove beyond any doubt that we are incapable of either policing or governing ourselves.
Sickened 9 years, 8 months ago
They need to amend the law so that in the event a member of parliament does not provide his personal disclosure then all banking institutions/law firms/real estate agents/numbers houses etc. in the Bahamas have the legal authority to disclose to the public the balances of ALL accounts/transactions etc. that said MP has in his name. This includes joint accounts and corporate accounts 'cause that's how they hide their money. And that any staff in those institutions cannot be held accountable or be prosecuted for releasing the MP's personal information to the public BECAUSE the MP, by accepting his position, has already agreed to make this information public.
If the MP's won't disclose then the public needs too. If the public's information is inaccurate then the MP can put forth the evidence to the contrary.
I say a lot of these MP's have millions of dollars... prove me wrong!!!
asiseeit 9 years, 8 months ago
This country is depressing and sad. There is little hope unless you are deluded like Birdie.
SP 9 years, 8 months ago
We all agree both PLP and FNM parties are stink with corruption. NO ONE on either side will disagree.
WE THE PEOPLE as owners of the country and directors of government need to do whatever is necessary to FORCE accountability, and convictions of corrupt politicians.
Shut the country down if need be, as have been done in numerous countries of late that had decades of corrupt governments.
Unions, religious leaders, civic leaders and radio talk shows must ban together and lead the people against the handful of pirates that have destroyed our country and now seek to give it away to Haitians in exchange for votes.
It's now or never!
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