The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Against Crime Executive Director C B Moss yesterday called for community based anti-crime initiatives as his organisation launched its “Hands Around Bain and Grant’s Town” project, explaining that only a focused approach could alleviate the “violent crime spree” in the country.

During a press conference at Yoruba House yesterday morning, Rev Moss said denial by those in authority, followed by “blame placing and finger-pointing,” seems to be the order of the day.

He said the reality of the crisis cannot be denied or deflected any longer, now that panic is beginning to set in.

Rev Moss insisted that the crime crisis did not happen overnight.

“Unfortunately, the warnings by Bahamas Against Crime and others that crime would wreak havoc upon our society was ignored,” he said.

“Everywhere people are screaming for action, but little action is seen and few concrete plans are being put forward. Even members of Parliament are urging the people to stage a march on Parliament, confirming that they who are responsible to lead the nation out of the crisis do not know what to do.”

“The year 2015 closed out with a violent crime spree, particularly homicides, which resulted in the total of 149, eclipsing the previous record of 127 set in 2011. The first few days of the year has continued the same level of crime, with several multiple shootings, killing at least two persons.”

“This along with other crimes places the Bahamas among the most violent nations in the world, much to the disgrace and shame of Bahamians who until recently were referred to as being a very peaceful people.”

Rev Moss said it was against the backdrop of increasing helplessness that he and others decided to “do something.”

“Bain and Grant’s Town has been and still is the heart and soul of the Bahamas. The anti-crime initiative being launched today, though regional, has the potential of positively impacting crime well beyond our community,” he said.

Rev Moss compared this new initiative to the successful “Hands Across the Bahamas” initiative launched in 1988 amidst height of the 80s drug culture.

When assembled, that initiative brought together nearly 50,000 to link hands across the islands to signify solidarity against the trafficking of drugs; raising about $350,000 to build a rehabilitation facility later constructed at the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre in Fox Hill.

“Now 28 years later the Bahamas is again experiencing a crisis, this time from the scourge of crime, which threatens to undermine and destabilise our social and economic order.”

“It was therefore decided to stage a regional version covering the community of Bain and Grant’s Town which has experienced more than its fair share of crime and violence over the years.”

As proposed the new initiative intends to assemble local residents to join hands along a prescribed route encircling Bain and Grant’s Town in a symbolic gesture of protecting the community from crime and violence.

The “Hands around Bain and Grant’s Town” event will act as the high point of the Bain and Grant’s Town Peace Month, which will be observed in February. The event will be held on Sunday, February 28, at 2pm.

Additionally, the initiative intends to raise funds to aid in the community’s anti-crime effort. The funds will be raised through sponsorships, special donations and shirt sales.

Members of the Rotarian community of the Bahamas yesterday endorsed the plans announced by Rev Moss.

Rotary Bahamas last month announced an anti-crime initiative of its own - the “Road to Peace” - which, through the resources of the globally respected organisation will look to arrest criminality through education and a number of other community based projects.