Minister of National Security Bernard Nottage speaking to the media yesterday. Photo: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff
By RICARDO WELLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
rwells@tribunemedia.net
MINISTER of National Security Dr Bernard Nottage yesterday defended himself from criticism that his recent national address on crime lacked innovative ideas, saying his detractors do not understand the root of the vexing problem.
He added that the government cannot “wave a magic wand” and erase crime, adding that those who expect a quick fix on the issue have got a “sad awakening” coming.
And while he was a vocal critic of the Ingraham administration’s crime fighting policies when he was in opposition, Dr Nottage maintained yesterday that he never blamed the former government for the escalating crime problem.
His comments came during a forensics training workshop at police headquarters hosted by the United States Embassy in Nassau.
“It speaks to me about how little people understand the critical issues we face in this country, illegal drugs, illegal firearms, gang formation - which for us, we have never seen the like of it before in this country,” Dr Nottage said about his critics. “And if people believe we can just wave a magic wand and solve the problems that we face, they have got a sad awakening.”
Dr Nottage told reporters that crime is not the fault of the government but of a troubled society. “The Christie administration is not guilty of anything. What we have is an unstable community at this present time,” he said, responding to questions from the media. “The Christie administration didn’t cause that. We have to face what the facts are - the facts are that we as citizens and parents have been derelict in our duty with our children.”
Dr Nottage also maintained that while others in the Progressive Liberal Party may have made crime a political issue while in opposition, he never blamed the former administration.
“I regret nothing that I said. There were people who were talking about how many murders - not me, you check the record.”
However, while speaking in the House of Assembly in June 2011, Dr Nottage said, “The ineffectiveness of the FNM to address growing crime trends and concerns to ensure that crime is kept at manageable levels, has resulted in a crime explosion.”
Many have criticised Dr Nottage for his crime address because it was not publicised and aired on a night when many Bahamians were preparing for the forecast arrival of Tropical Storm Erika last week. The speech has also been criticised for not having many new ideas and embracing concepts put forward by the former administration.
Underscoring his dissatisfaction with criticism from the media and political foes, Dr Nottage said he expected a greater degree of understanding by “senior” politicians and called on the press to play the role it ought to play in the crime fight.
He insisted that crime is not a difficult issue to solve once people take responsibility for their actions. “These young people who are creating the mayhem in the country that causes people to be fearful, are people from within our communities. (People) who we see every day, who we talk to every day and it’s about time that we take responsibility for them and for their behaviour.”
During his national address last Thursday, Dr Nottage laid out a number of concepts geared towards ending the scourge in criminal activity. One idea was a planned Parental Responsibility Bill meant to hold parents accountable for the actions of their minor children.
Dr Nottage said yesterday while the legislation was still in its infant stages, the government is strongly working towards making it a reality. When asked about the bill’s importance Dr Nottage said: “If parents are unable or unwilling to accept responsibility for the children that they have, then we are in serious difficulties because it is from the parents that children get their values.”
“It is not going to be easy, people are going to criticise it,” he said. “They are going to say it is inappropriate to have a law but, truth of the matter is the law is going to be there to ensure that parents - whether they are screaming - they understand that they have a responsibility for their own peace and security, and for that of the community.”
On Friday, Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis labelled Dr Nottage’s address as “inconsiderate, lacking depth and eons too late” while Democratic National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney also slammed the Cabinet minister’s address, saying it was filled with “hollow promises and political rhetoric”.
Comments
John 8 years, 7 months ago
The bottom line is crime is a vexing and growing problem in this country. It is no longer about persons and personalities. Is it beyond the name and blame game. Try new efforts and strategies until something works. And if this means bring in new and bright talent then so be it.
countryfirst 8 years, 7 months ago
Dr. Nottage you have no idea what you are doing for the sake of the country please resign now and go retire y'all old tired politicians are part of the problem not the solution.Let fresh young minds take the lead we can't win this battle with yesterday's thinking and ideas.
TalRussell 8 years, 7 months ago
Comrades the only reason the crime minister spoken at all, is because he was poked so many times about his months complete silence. The minister should've kept his mouth shrunk shut like the sea anemone of a security minister, he has even made Tommy T, look all red minister security capable. Now, that had have sucked up, all Nottage's crime fightin energies.
B_I_D___ 8 years, 7 months ago
wait...did he say the 'gang' word? I thought we did not have gangs here, because they were held to a tougher standard of law enforcement...we just have misguided individuals...man up peeps...call them what they are...gangs, and deal with them as such.
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 7 months ago
Funny. In 2011 and 2012 the PLP assured us they did in fact have a magic wand....
So who lost the wand?
Glad to see BJ finally woke up. Now maybe he can start doing his job. Oops... Too late... Dread done gone back to sleep.... Goodnight BJ.
sheeprunner12 8 years, 7 months ago
BJ is partially right .............. it was Brave who put up the posters in 2012 ........... but BJ supported Brave in his damaging campaign ............. that is why we are reaping the fruits of their stupidity now .............. there is a publically held view that the PLP protects criminals
MonkeeDoo 8 years, 7 months ago
There is a publicly held view..... Why you think the Cabinet not in jail yet ?
pablojay 8 years, 7 months ago
These guys are really full of it. BJ said that he didn't blame the FNM for the high crime rate when they were elected to govern the country; he blamed poor governance. I thought he was a doctor, not a lawyer.
realfreethinker 8 years, 7 months ago
You all forget just before the last election when he bussed in those criminals in Bain town and had that face to face dust up with Tommy T ?
TruePeople 8 years, 7 months ago
Dese jheds keep saying 'Root of the issue' 'Root of the issue' and when you look close... Parental Responsibility Bill.... apparently it's the Bahamaian family that is to blame for everything.
This is truely insulting. Crime is going up due to harsh socio-economic conditions, and a governmental inability to even maintain, let alone develop effective social outreach and employment programs.
One example, the gov't agreed with having a ton of chinee workers come to bungle up the Baha Mar construction. Even when Izzy wanted to get rid of the Chinses construction company and employ Bahamian contractors he was met with opposition from the gov't who claims to have the Bahamians best interest in mind (which is one of the most obvious falsehoods in the world today). Y'all should know how that's working out for everyone now...
Then, when out of desperation people resort to desperate acts such as theft etc. the gov't turns around and blames the family.
So it is some scapegoat concept of family (not any actually identified material entities) that is the 'Root of the issue' apparently.
Lets criminally charge and/ or deport Bahamian families then, and crime will be better, right?
PLP's magic wand is secretly get rid of the Bahamians, get rid of the problem. So y'all fool go vote for them it's yaself who ga pay.
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