Mitchell calls for cameras and possible limits on public gatherings

Senator Fred Mitchell.

As of Monday, September 14, 2015

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

FOX Hill MP Fred Mitchell has called for cameras to be installed at Fox Hill’s Freedom Park and possible restrictions on public gathering there after a man and woman were shot while standing in the area on Saturday afternoon.

The incident was one of several non-fatal shootings that occurred in New Providence over the weekend.

The brazen daylight attack occurred just before 3pm on Saturday.

A man and woman were standing on the porch of an unfinished building at Reeves Street in Fox Hill, when the occupants of a silver right hand drive Honda drove up and opened fire, police said.

The man was shot in his hip and the woman received a gunshot wound to her arm. Both victims were driven to hospital where they are said to be in stable condition.

Mr Mitchell said something “intense” must be done to tackle crime in the area.

“Once again, I am forced to deplore the shooting of two innocent people on Fox Hill’s Freedom Park at around 3pm in broad daylight,” Mr Mitchell said in a statement.

“With people around and with the shooter reportedly unmasked. This is disgraceful and our people are tired of it. I am appealing to citizens not to take the matter into their own hands and let the authorities deal with it. At the same time, some answers must be provided to the community over this.

“I am recommending that cameras be placed on the park and if necessary restrictions placed on public gathering if the authorities find it useful to put a stop to this. I am deeply concerned about the safety and security of our people.”

Mr Mitchell said he was also informed that at 8pm on Saturday, approximately ten shots were fired into buildings in and around the Fox Hill parade, near the Jungle Club, by a drive-by shooter.

Mr Mitchell said that incident caused people to scramble, but thankfully no one was shot.

He added: “It is clear that something more intense must be done on the issue of enforcement and investigation and that the community must begin closer cooperation with the authorities to get at what is behind this issue. I urge all who can to help.”

Police also reported that a man was shot shortly after 12.30am Sunday after an argument with another man outside a Wulff Road nightclub.

He was rushed to the hospital where he remains in stable condition. Police said a 33-year-old man is in their custody assisting with investigations.

Another incident saw an off duty woman police officer shot in the arm as she left a nightclub on Tonique Williams Darling Highway. She was taken to hospital and is listed as stable. The incident happened at 3.30am Sunday.

Police are also on the hunt for the suspects responsible for separate shootings that happened on Friday.

Shortly after 7pm, police received a report that a man was shot multiple times in his body at Malcolm Road.

Hours later, just before 10pm on Friday, a man was at Derby Road in Yellow Elder Gardens when a man armed with a handgun approached and shot him in the shoulder.

A struggle followed resulting in the suspect dropping a magazine containing five live rounds of ammunition before fleeing on foot, police said.

John 8 years, 7 months ago

What happened to the multimillion dollar surveillance system that was supposedly being installed by a prominent PLP? Why is it not up and running yet after how many years? Just like there was supposed to be an increase in courts dealing with murder and other serious criminal matters. To put more restrictions on the general public as to their rights to assemble and their freedom of movement can only be done at the benefit of the criminal element. Need to dig to the root of crime and cut it out

asiseeit 8 years, 7 months ago

This will do nothing to stop the bloodshed. You will not be able to legislate the end of the bloodshed but you may be able to educate an end to it. The failure of the Bahamian education system and the blatant corruption in politics are two of the main drivers of this along with NO JOBS!

The_Oracle 8 years, 7 months ago

Fred more interesting in restricting large gatherings that may be forums for dissent. Watch out for A.D. Hanna type efforts, remember his proposal for permits to travel inter-island? If you force dissent underground it becomes a much larger and virulent problem. Stand up and admit that you and your party, equally alongside the other Party, have failed. You have failed by example, you have failed the rule of law, you have failed the Bahamas and it's people.

sheeprunner12 8 years, 7 months ago

Who is going to man these cameras???????????? ........ and what are you going to do with all the X-rated information the cameras will capture?????????

Now we are not going to be able to meet and mingle at Fox Hill Park now ............ and watch Fweddy sing and Perry shuffle?????????

MonkeeDoo 8 years, 7 months ago

I think that Fweddy should be kept in his apartment at Baycroft and only allowed out for Cabinet and House meetings.

asiseeit 8 years, 7 months ago

The first group that gathers that needs policing is right downtown Nassau in the House of assembly. If we could get these nefarious characters to obey the law, this country might stand a chance!

GrassRoot 8 years, 7 months ago

If we stayed all home as suggested by the Hon. Minister, the bad guys come to your home and kill you there. whats the point of staying home.

sansoucireader 8 years, 7 months ago

Really MP Mitchell? "Limits on public gatherings"? So y'all want to restrict movement now? That's what it is! Next move: walled in ghettos like Nazi Germany did for the Jewish population in WWll. Truly going backwards if that is the best suggestion he, and his government, can come up with.

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