By SANCHESKA DORSETT
Tribune Staff Reporter
sdorsett@tribunemedia.net
DESPITE a recent spate of murders and shootings in New Providence and Grand Bahama, officer-in-charge of the Central Detective Unit, Chief Superintendent Clayton Fernander said the country is still a “safe” place.
However, he acknowledged that there is a problem with drug dealers starting “turf wars” in communities over unresolved conflicts and prolific offenders getting bail, which contributes to the crime rate.
Chief Supt Fernander warned Bahamians to be “aware of their surroundings” and appealed to members of the public to assist the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) with their investigations.
His comments came hours after the country recorded its 98th and 99th murders for the year - according to The Tribune’s records - and six people were hospitalised, including an eight-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy, in separate shooting incidents.
“We are safe, it is still safe but people need to continue to be aware of their surroundings,” Chief Supt Fernander said.
“Parents should also be talking to their sons and daughters about the company they keep and the people they hang out with. These young girls and boys are hanging with people that are targets because of their criminal activity.
“The police are trying very hard but we arrest these persons and then the next thing we know they are out there offending again. There are a handful of prolific offenders who continue to cause problems for the community, but the police are working to get these people.
“You also have these small time drug peddlers who start these turf wars in communities because they cannot resolve their conflicts. Other times you have people who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. But these people are hanging with persons who are into bad stuff, these people are not their friends, they are bad company.
“We will not let these people hold the country hostage, we will continue to work and identify these individuals who commit crimes,” he said.
On November 15, Chief Supt Fernander said the public had “no need to be afraid” after a spate of shootings and murders and messages on social media warning people to stay in their home because a gang war had erupted. He said the only gang that mattered is the RBPF. Since then, there have been ten murders.
Chief Supt Fernander also appealed to members of the public to continue to assist police in their investigations. “No one is above the law, we want to assure members of the public that the entire country is safe. We are out here, we will make this country safe and its citizens and its tourists. We need the public to continue to assist us,” Chief Supt Fernander said.
“You know the persons out there who are committing these crimes. They are your brothers and sister and cousins. You know they are involved in criminal activities so please speak to them. This is our country and we cannot let a handful of individuals destroy it.”
Anyone with information on any crime is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS.
Comments
Naughtydread 7 years, 4 months ago
I mean besides all of the gang turf wars, robberies and daily murders we are living in a "safe" place...... I know one this for sure, I have never felt as unsafe leaving my house in my entire life in the Bahamas. This country is in the toilet bowl! We need change and we need it NOW!
DDK 7 years, 4 months ago
THE SUPERINTENDENT IS IN SERIOUS DENIAL ALTHOUGH HIS CAUTIONS AND PLEAS ARE RIGHT ON!
Honestman 7 years, 4 months ago
"There are a handful of prolific offenders who continue to cause problems for the community"
I would suggest that we are dealing with much more than "a handful" of offenders. If it were so few then the problem would surely be easy to deal with. The government MUST find a way of stopping serious criminals from being released on bail and terrorizing innocent civilians. How long have both main parties been wrestling with this? Why can't the bail laws be tightened up? If judges are under pressure to offer bail because of prison overcrowding then INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE PRISON!. Just get these punks off of our streets. Scrapping this stupid Junkanoo Carnival would contribute $10 million or so to the project for starters.
Bahamaland 7 years, 4 months ago
I like carnival but I agree with you Honestman. Build a jail on a deserted island or cay and put those prisoners to farm. It'seems very serious when a family is attacked like this or anyone for that fact. If we had the PM and Nottage security detail then maybe we could feel safe....but we ain't family, friends or lovers.
Groidal 7 years, 4 months ago
Well, I for one am glad Captain Fernandar cleared that up! I was feeling a little nervous at the two murder a day rate lately.
I feel safer already!
justthefactsplease 7 years, 4 months ago
"We are safe" says a man who was himself shot and almost murdered outside his own front door. Safe my arse!!!
sheeprunner12 7 years, 4 months ago
Who is he speaking for??????? ............ what would 200,000 other Nassauvians say???? ....... the other 50,000 criminals would agree with Ole Clay
xtreme2x 7 years, 4 months ago
The only safe place in this Bahamas is where those who are loaded (gun) are. Ask any average person on the streets how safe they feel. why are the Embassies here in Bahamas issuing warning to their citizens. In the police case, (fisherman will not say his fish is rotten)
Cobalt 7 years, 4 months ago
This man, who was one chain-link away from being in his casket after being shot by armed robbers, is trying to convince us that we are safe???? I never hear more foolishness in my life.
Publius 7 years, 4 months ago
Remember the commercial with the tagline "you could learn a lot from a dummy"? Yeh, that does not apply here.
realfreethinker 7 years, 4 months ago
Let me quote that great philosopher TalRussell " you can't make this stuff up"
Well_mudda_take_sic 7 years, 4 months ago
Chief Superintendent Clayton Fernander, like ACP Dean, is probably scatching his head wondering why we (the Bahamian people) are wondering why a man allegedly responsible for “hundreds of armed robberies” was allowed until very recently to elude the police for so long! Both Fernander and Dean will next be scatching their nuts wondering why most of us are afraid of all of the murderers known by the police force to be roaming among us. Meanwhile most of our senior law enforcement officers seem to be competing with Commissioner Greenslade for "The "Largest Waist-Size in Police Uniform Award"!
BaronInvest 7 years, 4 months ago
Wow, what an idiot. We left the Bahamas 2 month ago because of we didn't feel safe and most of our friends i met in the Bahamas aren't living there as well anymore.You need gated communities, you have shootings and murders on a daily basis, no national health-care. I feel sad for Bahamians who actually have to live with a government like that. Get rid of this useless government that's constantly in denial of everything. Makes me really upset reading this because the people who are suffering from this incompetent crooked government are actually one of the nicest people i have met in my life - it's beyond me how the people of the Bahamas allow a government like this to exist. Maybe it's that, most Bahamians are too nice, too calm, too passive.
goodbyebahamas 7 years, 4 months ago
BaronInvest, I hear you my friend, the Bahamian people are one of the nicest people on Earth. It is unfortunate that their attitudes, well fair, and loving spirt is being changed by the oppression their being led to live by the thieving crooks in their own government. Their being conned, deprived of a good education, purposely led to live in fear by allowing the crime to advance (It keep's the people at bay), no fair global prices on commodities( over $3.00 a gallon for gas in Bahamaland, wow, even in Hawaii the highest price in the USA it's under $2.70 a gallon), all on purpose to keep the Bahamian people down so the PLP can continue their pillaging. Perry Christie (Because I refuse to call him Prime Minister, he's nothing but a thief in my eyes) is no better than a mafia boss in a $2,000 dollar business suit who only takes care of his crew. He had over 40 years to do what's right for the Bahamian people but like S.L.O.P.(I prefect abbreviation for him, I hope he's in the same place Fidel Castro is at) chose self interest,Pindling was Christie's teacher after all. Now as Christie knows his last days are number come election day, he continues to sell out the people's land and souls for every last dollar he can gain to a well known Chinese mobster and his family. I plead with the good Bahamian people to rise up against your oppressors, unite as one love, join the next march. The PLP wants you to believe that the march will do nothing, but in reality it will continue to grow as the PLP's fear continue to grow. They now know you are waking up to their thieving ways, where the hell did $800 million dollars of VAT go too? Do you see new roads my Bahamian friends, do you see renovated buildings, clean streets, clear air to breath, smiling happy people? All I see is decay, pot holes, litter everywhere, bars on doors and windows, razor wire fencing, and unhappy pissed off people; am I right, or am I lying? It is better in the Bahamas, that's no lie, but not right now, and that's the honest truth. March in the next march like your life depends on it, and it does, because tourism is your number one business, and when property investors can no longer live here in fear of our family's life, tourism will be next; I know of at least 30 families who have already moved out of the Bahamas. May God be with you and guide you to victory against the PLP oppressors in your lives; I love you all, and will hopefully see you again when you've taken your country back.
Honestman 7 years, 4 months ago
Like a battered wife, Bahamians seemed resigned to their fate. It doesn't have to be like this however. We are free to eject these serial abusers that pretend to care for us.
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