The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

North Abaco’s MP has submitted a paper to the Prime Minister’s Office calling for stiffer penalties to be levied against boat thieves, acknowledging that the issue was a major concern for his constituency.

Renardo Curry, parliamentary secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, said a meeting had been held in late June at which suggestions were put forward on how to address the problem.

“We did the report already, and we submitted that to the Office of the Prime Minister. It’s waiting on the Prime Minister’s review,” Mr Curry said.

“Hopefully, from their it will go to Cabinet. It’s a very major issue on Abaco. The business sector, as well as a lot of our second home owners, who have experienced some of the boat thefts, are looking for some resolution from the Government. We are working very hard on our end to make sure some resolution comes.”

Mr Curry added: “We are looking for stiffer penalties.  That is one of the things we are looking at. A lot of the boats that have been stolen have been valued at half a million dollars and above.

“We think that the penalty should reflect the collateral itself. That’s one of the recommendations, and another is an increased security presence on the waters. Those recommendations, along with the discussion of our meeting, have been submitted, and so we should have something on that for the public very soon.”

Dennis Lightbourne, the Abaco Chamber of Commerce president, told Tribune Business that while there has been an increased Defence Force presence, the underlying problem was the “lack of teeth” in the laws.

“It is very concerning to us and the business community to see criminals not get punished. It seems as if the risk is much lower than the potential reward,” said Mr Lightbourne.