By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Deputy Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
WHILE branding the US State Department’s most recent advisory “counter productive”, Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Fred Mitchell used the warning to criticise the Minnis administration over its crime strategy, saying it has by many measures made matters worse.
Earlier this week, the advisory warned US citizens to avoid visiting the Fish Fry at Arawak Cay at night and ranks the Bahamas at ‘Level 2: Exercise increase caution'. It states that violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies and sexual assault are common, even during daylight hours and in tourist areas.
The former Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister is now urging the government to get to work and produce the results they "smugly" boasted about prior to the May 10 general election.
“We note the latest travel advisory issued by the US Government to its citizens travelling to the Bahamas. We thought that the FNM promised that all these advisories would stop once they became the government,” Mr Mitchell said in a press statement Thursday. “Alas, just as in the case of the three murders in one week in Freeport, FNM policies on crime have not made a bit of difference. By many measures it is worse.
“Of course, the advisories are a double-edged sword in that they do not often adequately tell the true story and are often counter productive. But unlike the FNM, the PLP takes no joy or pride in telling both the prime minister and his national security minister ‘we told you so’. The US does what it feels is best for its citizens. It is now your job to do what is best for Bahamians. The PLP can help but not if the FNM continues with the blame game and victor's justice.”
He continued: “A weak Ministry of Foreign Affairs also does not help, increasingly manned by political operatives instead of professionally qualified staff. The government needs to get to work and produce the results they smugly boasted about prior to May 10. Bahamians are watching and taking note with each passing day.”
The State Department on Wednesday also maintained its stance banning Embassy personnel from visiting the Sand Trap in Nassau or using jet ski rentals on New Providence and Paradise Island. However, its latest warning struck a major blow to one of the city’s most popular cultural offerings, the Fish Fry.
National Security Minister Marvin Dames said the advisory came as a “surprise”, adding Royal Bahamas Police Force officials were unaware of any serious issues of concern at the popular tourist attraction.
In an interview with The Tribune on Thursday – the day after the cultural hub was singled out as dangerous – Mr Dames was adamant that there had been no incidents that would have caused any serious level of concern, especially at Arawak Cay, where there is a police station on-site headed by a superintendent and supported by the RBPF’s Central Division.
While maintaining that he couldn’t say, based on his daily conversations with Police Commissioner Anthony Ferguson, what led to the warning, the Minister Davis said the Minnis administration is in the business of fixing problems. He said if the US is aware of certain issues, the doors are always open to discuss how they can be resolved.
Mr Dames said while the government has made marked progress in the fight against crime, it realises a lot more must be done.
On the same day the warning was issued, Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar said the advisory was “odd and troubling," adding he was “at a loss” over why the State Department would opt to target the area given there is an on-site police station.
Comments
John 6 years, 3 months ago
EmphasisFred Mitchel must have skipped math class. If one would total the number of murders that occurred from November 01, 2017 to present, the total is more than 50% less than the number that occurred in the same period in the years prior. And that is despite the three murders that occurred in Freeport. In fact those three are the only murders that occurred in the country in the new year, and half the month of January has passed. And yes, there has been a spike in arm robberies and car thefts and other crimes. But as the police continue in their efforts to dismantle gangs and flush out their leaders and gang members, who they feel are responsible for much of the violent crime, these individuals are themselves committing crimes. And if you study the numbers even closer the period mentioned already is one recording the lowest number of murders in at least five years. And Fred knows crime will not disappear overnight. there has to be a long and sustained effort. A multi-pronged approach, not only by the police, but all hands must be on deck.. former politicians even. But eventually they too, will be caught and sent to prison, or curb their criminal activity. Then one also must question the patriotism of Fred Mitchel, who will use the obviously biased travel alerts by the US Embassy. The state department has been putting out these alerts since Fred Mitchel was a radical politician burning effigies of Sir Lynden Pindling, A.D. Hanna and others on Fort Charlotte and whipping "guy fawekes" built to look like other parliamentarians. And on top of that he burnt items the country held sacred, by the country, in the country's national square. Did ole Fweedy help fuel the fire to the decades of crime and lawlessness the country is now facing, especially among its young people. Notice he attacks the policies but never offers any solutions, even when he was a sitting member of the house.
sheeprunner12 6 years, 3 months ago
When you eat a meal ........ do you get fat instantly????? ......... Jackass Fweddy needs to shut up.
bogart 6 years, 3 months ago
REDUCING CRIME EVERY SECOND OR ANY TIME IS NOT A FMN, PLP, DNA, OR THE NOMENKLATURA POLICY.
REDUCING CRIME IS THE RESPONSIBLILITY OF ALL LAW FORCEMENT AGENCIES, ANY GOVT AND THE PEOPLE EVERY AND ALL TIMES.
EVERYONE WHO HIRES ILLEGALS, HARBOURS ILLEGALS, WHITE COLLAR, TIEFING CAN CORN BEEF TO COMMITTING FRAUD IN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS GOVT CORPS ETC, VICTIMIZING,TINTED CAR WINDOWS, TIEFS, MURDERS, RAPES, DONT PAY CHILD SUPPORT, OR ANY CRIME ETC MUST ALLFACE THE CONSTANT ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW, GOVT AND PEOPLE EVERY AND ALL TIMES.
BahamasForBahamians 6 years, 3 months ago
As much as you guys may hate FRED it changes no fact - he is correct. Marvie and Hubert's crime plan is dead on arrival. Its alright if you cant see it past your FNM-RED sunglasses - Uncle Sam Sees it though.
licks2 6 years, 3 months ago
HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE. . .good morning Fred! This gatta be you dude. . .cos only you can think you is right!! Yoon making no sense there man. . .bouy only yinna PLP can be soooooooooooo "closed-eyes" in anything. . .:-)
sealice 6 years, 3 months ago
IKR??? Even Tal don't chime in to support him.....
John 6 years, 3 months ago
Its not about anyone hating on FWRED!. He is WRONG and so are you. WRong.. Fwreddy is using any and every opportunity to get his fat face in the press. He is desperately trying to rebuild his political career that crashed in May of 2017, and he is trying to earn brownie points for his party that, too, has been tarred and feathered. Rejected wholesale by the Bahamian electorate. But can you respect someone who is willing to use something as serious as crime to his advantage?
bogart 6 years, 3 months ago
Fully agree Uncle Sam sees it through.
Recent incident now quickly overtaken by events is that the president ofthe Arawak CayAssociation 'warned officials about "illicit activities" and solicitations at Fish Fry, but claimed the complainys fell on deaf ears.' see todays tribune page 5
Law enforcement to serve and protect the people and nation enforcing laws written is not a policy. IT does not matter who is in charge.
Law enforcement are trained educated and should know the law. Heads should roll its either the job is done or not done.
proudloudandfnm 6 years, 3 months ago
Neither did the PLP's.....
This dude is such a horrible human being. He just dying to get back to Foreign Affairs. He misses first class....
bogart 6 years, 3 months ago
Fearless Fred like everyone else is not perfect.
Actually some time ago he put forward a possoble solution to many of these challenges in that we should think about becoming a Repbulic.
Voting for President and voting for elected offocials. Having the powers to settle matters without having to have Bahamians educated by masters law school in UK and then coming home wearing their attire and then having to run back to them pPrivy Council for answers
We have been voting for MPs and the party. We may have a brilliant MP but a party who follows the leader and get left so the republic for the indovoduals get representd versus the current system listems to the majority.
Then the 5 yesr wait and everybody votes the side out and the opposition consists of so few that with limited man hours may find it difficult to do for their constituency etcetc who unfairly suffer. Then again its followong the party line the entire side who may be Nassaucentric developnent versus the only 2 MP from a family island still needing basic water supply.
Some of Fwred political comments are actually very appealing while some are not.
SP 6 years, 3 months ago
As the former, Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell refused to dialog on talk shows with the electorate and the electorate refused Fred Mitchell at the polls!
What goes around, comes around. I refuse to waste time reading or responding to anything from Fred Mitchell.
John 6 years, 3 months ago
Illicit activities vs a place being unsafe. For sure there was a serious problem in the area just south of the PI old bridge when tourists seeking to buy drugs were baited to go in that area behind the web shop complex and robbed. Others may have been seriously injured and at least one male visitor lost his life when trying to stop a robbery. If the Arawak Cay Committee knows of this problem developing in their area, it is just as much in their interest to help to stamp it out. As simple as installing security cameras in areas where these activities are known to take place then passing the footage on to the police. Then the police can move in on the suspects. But demand also draws supply and at least if tourists coming to the Cay looking for drugs realize they will be arrested along with their suppliers then the activities will move elsewhere. Rather than turning Arawak Cay into a haven known for drugs.
TalRussell 6 years, 3 months ago
Ma Comrade Braddas, the US state department's travel alert did not claim a particular incident involving a american tourist happened at the Fish Fry. The warning emphasis was more of a 'general warning' to be damn careful at 'night' when venturing anywhere about Nassau Town - nothing different was said that is anything less than being said to tourists by cruise ships and hotel operators.... even locals will tell tourists they come into contact to watch your asses going in and about Nassau Town, more so at night. To pretend Nassau Town is not a dangerous place travel about is insanity. Residents have become afraid to even visit the grave sites of loved-ones, and under the sunshine light. The PM, IS 100% RIGHT on this issue.
hnhanna 6 years, 3 months ago
Man Fred just go and ride in the sunset, you had your time, 2012 to 2017 was the worse years for Bahamians
TheMadHatter 6 years, 3 months ago
Nobody can solve crime with enforcement policies. What is happening is a balancing act of nature. The more babies are popped out, the more bullets the gangstas need to pop out.
There are only so many people that can live on this rock confortably and Mother Nature forbids us to exceed her limit. If we do, then she makes the needed adjustments.
sealice 6 years, 3 months ago
He's like a Black Donald Trump, he's racist, he lies repeatedly and unashamedly, he and his party haven't ever done anything they said they would..... instead of cheeto orange we have Fweddy (if the priests knew what i did to the altar boys in St. Matthews they'd never let me in) Mitch
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