The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune

The Minister of National Security, Dr Bernard Nottage, is coming apart at the seams, it seems. Dr Nottage feels that the government should be lauded and applauded when there is a lull in murders – not a sustained reduction, mind you – but a lull.

A lull in crime is not an accomplishment, Dr Nottage. It is a mirage. As any fool would know, crime tends to ebb and flow. You can have a lull for days, even weeks, then suddenly “all hell breaks loose”. A level just below that peak can then sustain for days or weeks, followed by a lull ... then another eruption! Such is the nature of crime.

Dr Nottage has apparently learnt little from the mistake made some time ago by his deputy, Keith Bell. Shortly after assuming office and caught up in the euphoria of one such lull, Mr Bell shocked many by proclaiming, “We have broken the back of crime!”

Those who felt that this was an asinine declaration (and there were many of us) were proven right when, mere days later, all hell did break loose. A lull in crime should therefore not be lauded nor applauded and should certainly not inspire declarations such as “We have broken the back of crime!” When you are lucky enough to get a ‘lull’, you hold your breath and hope and pray that it sustains and grows into something more.

If Dr Nottage and his government are able to reduce and maintain crime at the level they promised Bahamians during the 2012 General Election campaign – when they were touting themselves as miracle workers having the answer to all of the ills that ail mankind - they would not only be lauded and applauded but in all likelihood, rewarded with another term.

Personally, I would hate like hell to see them get another term, but they would have earned it since they would have delivered on their promise of an almost crime-free Utopia.

I find it particularly ironic that Dr Nottage now whines about judges issuing “slap on the wrist” sentences. Bahamians will recall that very early in his tenure Dr Nottage surprised us all with the announcement that some in the community had complained that the sentences for some category of offences were too harsh. Dr Nottage expressed his sympathy with this view and some of these proposed sentences were abolished by him and his government.

While I fully appreciate and accept that our crime problem is a difficult and vexing one that can’t and won’t be solved by politicians, I harbour no sympathy for Dr Nottage. My sympathy lies instead with the Bahamian people - and especially the victims of crime.

During the 2012 General Election campaign, Dr Nottage and his PLP colleagues brazenly politicised and shamelessly exploited the issue of crime for political gain. They sowed the wind and are now reaping the whirlwind. It should by now be obvious to all that Dr Nottage is in way over his head and should be relieved of his duty in the public’s interest.

In closing, let me say to Dr Nottage for whatever it is worth:

I don’t blame you, my brother, for feeling hurt

People forever complain’n an’ treatin’ you like dirt.

You have every right to feel unappreciated

So how’s about we retire you, an’ gee you one watch ... Gold plated!

CORNELL STUART

Freeport,

September 25, 2015.