The murder of a mother and son late Tuesday night triggered Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie to convene a crisis meeting on crime early on Wednesday, at which he ordered the leaders of law enforcement agencies to proceed with a sense of urgency in addressing the escalating level of violence in New Providence.The double murder brought to 20 the number of murders that have taken place in The Bahamas since the Christie administration came to office on May 7. In total, 21 murders were recorded in May, the largest number ever in a single month in the country’s recorded history.
Three murders have been recorded so far for June. The murder count for the year stands at 65, up from 57 this time last year. In 2011, the country recorded a record 127 murders.
The crime crisis meeting was attended by key people in the fight against crime: National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage; Minister of State for National Security Keith Bell; Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson; Deputy Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis; Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade; Commodore of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Roderick Bowe and head of the National Security Council Clifford ‘Butch’ Scavella, The Nassau Guardian was told.
The Nassau Guardian understands that Christie ordered an immediate increase in police resources on the streets, and heightened intelligence gathering.
Additionally, the Office of the Attorney General intends to give priority to cases involving prolific offenders, who authorities say continue to terrorize communities.
The Guardian understands that the prime minister has directed that defence force officers take over some of the functions of police, to free police officers up to hit the streets.
But there reportedly is no directive at this time for defence force officers to participate in saturation patrols, although that option was left open.
This week, Greenslade acknowledged the manpower challenges facing the police force.
While the prime minister has previously sent signals about the importance of forcefully cracking down on the criminal element, his message on Wednesday was intended to underscore the urgency of upping the war on crime.
Christie asked the heads of the various law enforcement agencies to blur the lines that separate their agencies and mount a single anti-crime effort.
The prime minister has labeled crime as the single largest problem facing the country at this time.
While in opposition, he and the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) claimed repeatedly that the Ingraham administration had failed to keep Bahamians safe. The party erected controversial signs pointing to a record number of murders under the former government.
Courtesy of the Nassau Guardian
