The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie yesterday insisted that The Bahamas is “not a killing field” as he suggested that in a matter of weeks Bahamians will see the government’s new and aggressive crime fighting strategies implemented.

Mr Christie said the country cannot and must not allow the continuation of the wanton display of disregard for human life.

He said as long as the country continues to be a tourist destination, there must be a heightened interest in security and new levels of commitment to meet the costs of security.

“But this country cannot and must not allow what is happening to happen much longer,” Mr Christie told those gathered for the opening of the Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants’ (BICA) Accountants Week at the Melià Nassau Beach Hotel.

“I indicated on Saturday when I said to the press it may mean impinging on people’s freedom as they move about. But there is no circumstance that will allow me to have The Bahamas, New Providence in particular, to have this wanton display of disregard for human existence. (It is) this extraordinary degree of uncivilised behaviour.

“(This is) not a killing field in The Bahamas and I hope in a couple of weeks you will see the evidence of what I am talking about.”

He continued: “We don’t have the right to allow young Bahamians to kill each other for whatever reason. It just must not happen.”

This comes as the country recorded three murders over the weekend, which pushed the murder count for the year to 133.

Two men were shot in New Providence, while a third man was stabbed to death in Grand Bahama.

According to police, shortly before midnight on Friday, Adrian “Fish” Munroe was sitting in a vehicle at Ghana Circle in Elizabeth Estates, when four men approached and shot him before fleeing on foot.

In Grand Bahama, authorities were investigating a fatal stabbing that claimed the life of a resident in Eight Mile Rock.

Police said it happened some time around 7.22pm on Friday. Two men were arguing at Andros Town, Eight Mile Rock, when one pulled out an object and stabbed the other, police said. The victim was taken by EMS personnel to the Rand Memorial Hospital, where he later died.

Another shooting death happened in the Pinewood Gardens subdivision in New Providence on Saturday. According to reports, shortly after 3pm, a man was sitting in the driveway of his home at Jacaranda Street when two men in a grey SUV approached and shot him, and then sped off. The victim was declared dead at the scene. Police said yesterday that they were searching for two men for questioning in connection with the death.

On Friday, Mr Christie said he is “distressed” by the country’s crime problems, which, he said, now require a more aggressive approach by the government and law enforcement.

At the time, Mr Christie said the new crime initiatives the government is mulling over might have an “impact on our own freedom to move about”.

He also pledged greater commitment on the part of the government to dedicate all of the necessary resources to get a handle on the scourge of violent activity in the Bahamas.

Mr Christie added that he has been in discussions with State National Security Minister Keith Bell regarding major strategies being put forward and also plans to meet with the heads of the country’s armed forces over crime.