The Tribune

By JADE RUSSELL

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

AN activist has called on residents to be careful this holiday season due to the country’s escalating murder count, saying people have stopped valuing the lives of others. 

Khandi Gibson, of Families Of All Murder Victims, told The Tribune yesterday people should be careful with whom they associate, especially if the person has a criminal past.

“Be mindful and careful of who you’re hanging out with this season because if they can’t get them, they’ll get you,” she said.

She said innocent lives are continuously being lost to crime and added that people should think twice about their decisions.

Ms Gibson also expressed dismay over the country’s murder toll, which was 126 for the year up to press time, according to this newspaper’s records. She described the murder count as being unacceptable and said one murder is too many. Last Friday, Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis said his administration is concerned about the nation’s escalating murder rate, but is hopeful that their crime fighting initiatives will start “bearing fruit” soon.

“We are all concerned about the murder rate and the level of homicide in our country is unacceptable,” Mr Davis said. “We are putting in place initiatives to curb it and hopefully those initiatives will be bearing fruit in short order.”

Asked for more details on crime prevention strategies, Mr Davis outlined several initiatives implemented by his administration to stamp out gun violence.

However, he did not speak to them in depth.

When asked about the Prime Minister’s comments, Ms Gibson responded: “I really want to say I commend the Prime Minister in all of his efforts. I commend him for what he’s doing for our country, but if we don’t put God in these things, we have nothing. Man-made products malfunction, so right now we, everybody at the table, all on deck.”

There have been a series of murders recorded in the country in recent months, with fears mounting that 2022 will be a record-breaking year for murders.

The country’s highest murder count was in 2015. That year, there were 146 killings on record.

Last year, there were 119 killings recorded; 73 in 2020; 95 in 2019; 91 in 2018 and 122 in 2017.

Earlier this month, former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said the country is on track to set another murder record due to the government’s failed handling of crime.

“In the first full year of the Davis administration, we are nearing a national murder record. Nearly 130 have been murdered this year thus far. The violence in New Providence is out of control.

“Investors and tourists could be less likely to come here and spend their money if this administration does not get a handle on the situation,” Dr Minnis said.