The Decline of The Bahamas

The Steady Decline of The Bahamian Nation - The Bahamas

By Dennis Dames
Nassau, The Bahamas

The public's perception of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) is at an all time crying low - in my view. Recent bad news about the Force and some of its Officers has added unfavourably to how the Bahamian people see the Police, and their organization.

The Coroners Court has concluded lately that a number of Police Officers have committed manslaughter in the excution of their duties. This has left a totally bad taste in the mouths of many citizens and residents generally - and has widen the distrust between the Police and the general public - which has eroded further the national security of The Bahamas.

To make matters horribly worse, a senior Officer of the Force - who occupied a high position of trust and responsibility - is accused of engaging in serious criminal activities with a high profile, highly and politically connected, potentially rogue and criminal-minded attorney, and street gangsters; some of whom have been murdered on the streets of Nassau in recent times. This has created a public scandal of monumental proportions.

The leadership of the Police Force along with the government of the day - seem to be taking the matter very lightly - in my opinion. Thus, the Bahamian community's view of the Police and the government - is one of complete disgrace. The handling of such a serious situation to date has left one to wonder if the powers that be have decided that they will gamble politically and just pretend that all's well.

Well, all is not well in The Bahamas under the political and immoral leadership of the status quo and its devoted facilitators. The Bahamian public feels as if endemic wholesale corruption, incompetence and criminality in high places throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas - is the order of the day which the shamelessly corrupt leadership of the nation holds so dearly close to their demonic hearts and souls.

The fruit of such diabolical corruption in high places will continue to rip apart the Bahamian nation. The wickedly corrupt political and otherwise leaders in The Bahamas do not care about the future welfare of their own friggin children! So, the future of The Bahamas will be more and more of the much sought after devilish corruption in high places - while powerful criminals and blood-thirsty bosses have their way with impunity!

How very sad - as many so called good Bahamian men and women remained silent! It looks like every Bahamian citizen are standing on the sidlines just watching The Bahamas descend in to the pits of hell.

Political victimization and incompetence on the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF)

By Dennis Dames:

I received a telephone call from my father today.  He is a retired Assistant Superintendent (ASP) of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF).  He’s very outraged about a Superintendent of that organization in the name of Stephanie Demeritte, escorting prisoners to court.  He says that it is out of place and dead wrong; it’s really a job for a Constable. 

 

My dad further stated that Superintendents are essentially executive officers on the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) - who in some cases, command hundreds of men and women.  He said that it was also wrong to have had the late Superintendent Sands performing the same low ranking work.

It is a shame to see Superintendent Demeritte like the late Sands waste away in a senior rank which is just below Assistant Commissioner.  It is a reflection of an organization which appears to be in the evil grip of politicians, or plain old incompetence.  The Commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force should be embarrassed and ashamed every time he sees a senior commander of his force in the newspapers or on the evening news holding on to prisoners on their way to court.

It’s a situation, according to my father – which no doubt is contributing to the low morale on the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF).  Why would a competent Bahamian join an organization that has no respect for its executive rank?  It means that it’s possible for a Superintendent of police in The Bahamas to direct traffic, work on the fire truck, be a chauffeur et al - under the existing status quo.

It is not a good reflection for the future of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) in my opinion.  We need to do better in our beloved country, if we expect better.  Stop the political victimization and shallowness in The Bahamas; or like the late Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling (SLOP) use to say: What goes around comes around – my brother!

April 07, 2014

...we need to restore the quick connection between crime and punishment in The Bahamas... And we need to ensure that the people who lead the critical divisions of the police force and the AG’s Office related to investigating and prosecuting serious crimes are up to the task

The prime minister’s national crime address

thenassauguardian editorial

So much has been said in recent years about crime in The Bahamas. There have been four murder records in five years.  Over that same five-year period more that 13,000 cases of housebreaking have been reported.  Most of those homes were broken into in New Providence.

Bahamians are fearful.  Bahamians are not sure that their law enforcement agencies and politicians are up to the task to fix the problem.

Opposition leader Perry Christie and his party seem to understand that crime is likely the most significant issue on the minds of most Bahamians.  Christie, who is not known for leading the way, got out ahead of Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham in August.  He made a national address on crime and offered solutions on behalf of his party.

Some of the ideas Christie presented had promise; others did not.  However, in speaking to the country formally on the issue as the opposition leader and a former prime minister, Christie indicated that crime was an issue that must now be addressed and debated at the leadership level.

Ingraham said Sunday he would make a national address on crime Monday coming.  His address will come almost six months after he promised during the national address on public infrastructure to speak about the growing crime problem in The Bahamas.

Ingraham made the crime address pledge at Lynden Pindling International Airport as he arrived back in The Bahamas from an official visit to Washington, D.C.  He made the pledge after reporters asked him crime related questions.  It is unclear if Ingraham had previously decided to make the national address or if he made the pledge in an effort to end the questioning.

Nonetheless, the address is needed and it will be interesting to hear what the prime minister has to say.

Ingraham has a fine line to negotiate.  He will likely mention the millions of dollars his government has provided to the various agencies of the criminal justice system.  He will likely also bring up the refurbishment of the courts.

Ingraham and his government have also gone further.  Since coming to office in 2007 the chief justice has been changed, there have been three commissioners of police, two directors of public prosecution and at least five commanders at the Central Detective Unit.

His government has tried and it continues to try.  But, as the numbers show, the crime problem is worsening.

What the PM needs to address is the competency of the leadership of his law enforcement agencies and whether or not certain agencies are adequately staffed with competent people.

Police investigate serious crime and lawyers from the Office of the Attorney General prosecute the cases.  If the cases are poor and the prosecutors are less than capable, and there are too few of them, then few people will go to jail for the crimes they commit.

And, if the AG’s Office cannot bring forward cases fast enough, or if it does not want to because the cases were poorly prepared by police, then judges will grant bail to accused persons who would then be free to offend again.

There is too much talk now about everybody doing a good job.  In this time of civility we say the commissioner of police and his officers are doing a good job; we say the National Security Ministry is doing a good job; we say prosecutors are doing their best.  If police and prosecutors are doing their best, and the crime situation in The Bahamas is worsening, then those officers and prosecutors are not up to the task to help reverse the trend.

As we mentioned in a previous editorial, leadership is needed on the crime issue.

The prime minister must pledge bold action and show passion when he addresses his people.  The money spent so far has not yet led to any meaningful results.  We need to know what is next.

Simply put, we need to restore the quick connection between crime and punishment.  And we need to ensure that the people who lead the critical divisions of the police force and the AG’s Office related to investigating and prosecuting serious crimes are up to the task.

If they are not, something else should be found for them to do.

Sep 28, 2011

thenassauguardian editorial

Caribbean Blog International

WikiLeaks, former Acting Commissioner of Police Reginald Ferguson, Politics and the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF)

Ferguson wanted top cops dismissed

By BRENT DEAN
NG Deputy News Editor
thenassauguardian
brentldean@nasguard.com


Cable reveals power struggle in police force


Then Acting Commissioner of Police Reginald Ferguson in early 2009 told United States Embassy officials that he had recommended to Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham as early as November 2007 that all but one of the then assistant commissioners of police be dismissed, including now Commissioner Ellison Greenslade, according to a U.S. embassy diplomatic cable obtained by The Nassau Guardian from WikiLeaks.

The February 2009 confidential cable revealed that the only assistant commissioner Ferguson thought should remain was Marvin Dames. Dames, who was subsequently made deputy commissioner in January 2010, is now leaving the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) to reportedly head the security division at Baha Mar.

According to the cable, Ferguson told embassy officials at that time that he flatly refused to work with Greenslade, “admitting that he had caused Greenslade to be sent to Canada for training.

“Ferguson bluntly stated that he does not favor Greenslade to become the next police commissioner, and said he wished to retain only Dames, whom he clearly favors as a future successor.”

When contacted about the cable, Ferguson said he had no comment.

“The acting commissioner is apparently against Greenslade for supporting an attempt late in the previous Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) administration to sideline Ferguson through a dead-end appointment to a position at the Police College,” said the cable.

“Ferguson's career prospects improved, however, after the Free National Movement (FNM) won the May 2007 elections (Ferguson’s brother, Johnley, is a high-ranking FNM party official).”

The allegation that Greenslade supported the PLP’s move of Ferguson was not substantiated.

Dames and Ferguson worked closely together for many years when Ferguson was the assistant commissioner with responsibility for crime and Dames was his number two as head of the Central Detective Unit (CDU).

Politics and the force

The constitution of The Bahamas politicizes the appointment of the executive command of the force. The prime minister, through various consultations, essentially appoints all assistant commissioners, the deputy commissioner and the commissioner of police.

In March 2007, shortly before the general election, the Perry Christie administration appointed a large number of new executives in the force.

Greenslade, Ruben Smith, Reginald Ferguson and Allan Gibson were named senior assistant commissioners.

Marvin Dames, Chris McCoy, James Carey, Kirkland Hutchinson, Eugene Cartwright and Juanita Colebrooke were each promoted to the post of assistant commissioner of police. At the time, John Rolle was deputy commissioner and Paul Farquharson was commissioner.

There was controversy when the Christie administration named the large number of assistant commissioners. Traditionally, there were around four to five assistant commissioners. Adding to the controversy was the decision to relegate Ferguson, one of the most senior officers in the force, to head the Police College. This command was usually held by a more junior officer.

There was tension between Reginald Ferguson and the then PLP government. It perceived him as an antagonist and a supporter of the FNM.

Reshaping the force

It is unclear if the moves made in the force were solely or partially made based on Ferguson’s recommendations or not, but nearly all of the assistant commissioners Ferguson reportedly recommended to be replaced were ‘retired’ from the force.

In January 2009, McCoy, Colebrook, Hutchinson, Cartwright and Carey all left the force, along with a group of other senior officers below the rank of assistant commissioner. Gibson and Smith had previously retired as senior assistant commissioners.

Dames and Greenslade, the two main candidates to be the next commissioner of police, had spent much of 2008 training in Canada.

“By sending Greenslade and Dames abroad, the new GCOB (Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas) avoided a potentially divisive succession struggle while developing the leadership capacity of two young up-and-coming officers in line with its drive to modernize the force,” said the embassy in the cable.

“It also avoided an untimely squabble with the new acting commissioner, who desired a free hand in making top appointments and made no secret of his preference for Dames over Greenslade.”

Despite Ferguson’s preference, he was not able to stop the ascent of Greenslade.

In January 2009, when the group of assistant commissioners was retired, Greenslade became the acting deputy commissioner and Dames the senior assistant commissioner responsible for Grand Bahama.

“Ferguson hoped to remain as acting commissioner for several years longer, which would also help him see his favorite, Dames, succeed him. He appeared resigned that it was politically impossible for Greenslade to be removed now,” said the February 2009 cable.

“Ferguson said the reason he was not officially named commissioner while serving for over a year was his refusals to back down from his view that all RBPF assistant commissioners serving when the FNM took office, with the exception of Dames, should be dismissed.

“He added that he doubted that Greenslade would be equally resistant to political pressure. In the end, the GCOB appears to have implemented one of the compromise outcomes floated by Ferguson (including to embassy officials): retaining the current police chief but positioning two possible successors in the next most responsible positions, giving both the opportunity to earn the trust of the force and the public before any successor is named.“

In March, one month after the cable was written, Ferguson was confirmed as commissioner of police. He held the confirmed post for less than a year, however. Greenslade was named commissioner and Ferguson retired in January 2010.

Ferguson was named director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)after his retirement from the force.

Despite the rivalry in the force during this period, the Americans were pleased with Ferguson, Greenslade and Dames, according to the cable.

“Both Greenslade and Dames are regarded as forward-looking and capable officers with the potential to assume overall command of the police force in the future, despite differing personal styles,” the embassy said.

“Greenslade may have the edge in practical experience and rank-and-file support, having risen through the police ranks, as well as public support due to his success in Grand Bahama during a time when hurricanes ravaged the island. For his part, Ferguson is a respected, no-nonsense official who puts a premium on integrity and often speaks out against corruption ­– accusations of which do not taint him but may stick to others under his command.

“He also has a good relationship and solid track record of professional cooperation with U.S. law enforcement agencies.”

5/30/2011

thenassauguardian

Bahamians cannot have a crime free society while harbouring the criminal in the bosom of the family

Bahamian society must make a decision on crime

tribune242 editorial



THE hard working police force are today in the unenviable position of being "damned if you do, and damned if you don't."

The public wants the criminal removed from the streets. However, when he is removed, the next word the police have is that he's out on bail, up to more mischief, and the chase starts all over again. The public wants guns removed from society, yet society wants selective justice applied to those who are caught with an unlicensed firearm. On the other hand, the police want tougher sentences. For example, in England possession of an unlicensed firearm could mean five years in prison.

Police know that firearms are brought in on boats, even pleasure craft. "However, when we go to search these boats, we are accused of harassing boaters," said one officer, "so we back off, but we know that there are guns aboard those boats."

In other words society can't have its cake and eat it too. If they want the country cleared of illegal guns, the police will have to be free to search, and the courts should be obliged to prosecute.

For example, the police were criticised for the precautions they took to protect the House, the Prime Minister, MPs and members of the public during the recent Bay Street demonstrations against the sale of BTC to Cable & Wireless. They were condemned for bringing the dogs out "against the people." However, if something had gone wrong they would have been criticised -- and investigated -- for not having taken every possible precaution to anticipate an emergency.

A spokesperson for the various groups said that the objective was to stage a peaceful demonstration, however, some protesters were in a "militant" mood. And it was that mood -- with threats of creating a "small Egypt" -- that made the police prepare for the worst.

Despite the unions' attempts to insist that it was a union demonstration, the unions' presence was obliterated by political activists. However, Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell made no bones about what the demonstration was all about. The fight to have BTC remain in Bahamian hands is a political one, he said, and all who oppose the sale of the company to Cable and Wireless should band together.

Senator Dion Foulkes, speaking in the Senate, said that several "PLP MPs, ratified candidate and senior party officers were active in that demonstration which became extremely unruly and if it were not for the fine men and women of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Bahamians could have been hurt, indeed, one person was hurt: Mr Capron, who later publicly thanked the police for coming to his aid."

Mr Foulkes identified "Melanie Griffin, Bernard Nottage, Ryan Pinder, Alfred Gray, Obie Wilchcombe and Barbara Pierre, Secretary General of the PLP and former PLP Chairman Minky Isaacs" as among those at the rally.

"Shane Gibson," he said, "who the night before the demonstration was seen all over the southwest of New Providence on the back of a truck with a blow horn telling people to come to Bay Street.

"I suspect that they have distanced themselves from this demonstration because it was a total and absolute flop," said the senator.

Mr Mitchell also criticised government for "attacking" union leaders at that demonstration, who, he said, are "simply acting in the best interests of their members."

Mr Mitchell conveniently forgets the three-week teachers strike of 1981 -- under the Pindling government -- when teachers were also trying to improve the conditions in the schools and raise the standard of the teaching profession. Not only were the police and the dogs brought out against the teachers, but there were snipers on the various roof tops with a fire engine standing by, possibly to use the water hoses in case of an emergency. Several teachers were arrested. Opposition Leader Norman Solomon told members in the House on January 7, 1981 that the reason they were discussing the teachers' strike in the House that day was because it was facing a "certain amount of insurrection" below in the public square. He blamed it on "14 years of continuous mismanagement of the economy."

"Those were the days," said a teacher who had participated in the strike, "when professionals of similar qualifications in the civil service were making 30 per cent more than their counterparts in the teaching profession."

The former teacher said that when the teachers decided to strike in 1981 they did so for what they believed in, fully realising the consequences of their actions. Their pay was docked for the full three weeks of the strike. They did not complain, because when they decided to strike they knew that it meant loss of pay.

Today the BTC unions withdrew their labour, fully knowing the consequences, but not expecting government to take any action against them. The teacher failed to understand their reasoning or why they should condemn government for enforcing the rules. They withdrew their labour. If they were sincere in their protest, they should have expected not to have been paid.

It is the same with the police. Bahamians want society to be crime free, but they do not want to suffer the consequences of having a family member, who is causing some of the problems, suffer the consequences. It is now up to Bahamians to decide what they really want.

They cannot have a crime free society while harbouring the criminal in the bosom of the family. The Tribune has great respect for those families who take one of their own to the police station to "turn him in." Those are the families who are the Bahamas' solid citizens - it is a pity that there are not more like them. It is only then that the Bahamas will have any hope of reducing its crime rate.

April 12, 2011

tribune242 editorial

Bahamas Blog International

The culture of the Attorney General’s office needs to change

Standing with the commissioner
thenassauguardian editorial



The Bahamas has a crime problem. No reasonable person would question this statement.

There have been three homicide records in four years. This month the killings have continued at the same record pace as in 2010. The Bahamas has one of the highest murder rates in the region.

Whenever there is a crime problem, Bahamians look to the commissioner of police. He is expected to bring things under control and stop the bad guys. This view is overly simplistic.

On the response side, there are four divisions of the state that are critical regarding the crime fight. Police, the Office of the Attorney General, the court and prison must all function well if a society is to have a functional response to crime. No one of these divisions can fix a crime problem alone.

Others must step forward as public faces in this fight along with the commissioner. Here we will address one of the other three agencies: the AG’s office.

Prosecutors are as important as police in ensuring that criminals are dealt with. Police arrest those responsible for committing violent crimes. Police then marshal evidence and prosecutors lead cases in the Supreme Court.

If the prosecutors are incompetent, then there is little consequence to committing violent crime. As we have said before, the AG’s office is too detached.

The police commissioner speaks regularly. He is also criticized regularly. Police release crime statistics regularly. The police commissioner is mandated to release a policing plan annually. The director of public prosecutions and the AG’s office, however, are not held to the same standard.

Where is the DPP’s prosecution plan for 2011? Has the office prepared one? Shouldn’t Vinette Graham-Allen have to present such a plan to the public and defend it in front of the media just as Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade has to?

Why do the AG’s office and its Department of Public Prosecutions not regularly release data about its work? They must keep records. Does the office think it is above scrutiny? Or is it that the performance of the office is so poor that it does not want the public to know the depths of the failure?

Recently, the AG’s office released its annual report for 2010. This is a good thing. Annual reporting is a part of the accountability process. The AG’s office now has a website. This is also a good development. However, the annual report had no data included in it regarding the work of the Department of Public Prosecutions.

If the level of violent crime is to be reduced in The Bahamas, citizens and the political ruling class must demand more from our prosecutors. The office must be subjected to greater public scrutiny. It should be mandated by law that the AG’s office and police release quarterly statistics. It should be mandated by law that an annual plan is released by the chief prosecutor just as such a standard is mandated of the police commissioner. And the politicians should mandate that the chief prosecutors hold regular news conference to inform the public of the work of the department.

If the prime minister can subject himself to questions from the media, then surely the DPP can do the same.

This commentary is not a criticism of Graham-Allen. The culture of the AG’s office needs to change. Greenslade subjects himself to scrutiny and take the blows that result. In the process the democracy is strengthened. The DPP must be made to do the same.

1/24/2011

thenassauguardian editorial

Bahamas Blog International

“…carnage unleashed…”

Rough Cut
By Felix F. Bethel
The Bahama Journal



What I am trying to say is that something is dreadfully wrong in this place where the police can apparently get away with killing people who – for whatever reason –cross them.

Something has got to be wrong when the people are afraid of the police. And as far as I am concerned, the people are afraid of the police because of the fact that far too many people have been killed at the hands of the police.

And as far as I am concerned, far too many police officers are allowed to carry guns/ and for sure –as the record attests and confirms – far too many law-abiding citizens are losing confidence in the men and women to whom they should be looking for protection.

Another Thursday and –yet again- one day closer to the time when Jesus will come and put an end to all this damned foolishness.

What I’m trying to say is that I am sick and tired of all the killing; sick and tired of all the lies I am told –day in and day out.

And Lord knows - I am sick and tired of all those fine citizens – who even as they call for justice on behalf of some lost soul- are writhing in the coils of bloody vengeance.

In one telling instance, a fine Christian lady told me that if she ever had the opportunity she would use it wisely; and that she would lynch the man who killed her grandson.

When I tried to explain that this would make her a killer, she dismissed me and all that I had to say, noting that I was too smart for my own good, with all that God-talk in my head and in my mouth.

But since she is still my beloved sister in Christ, my fervent prayers continue for both this woman and her family; and so, even as I note this or that in aid of helping bringing peace to this troubled land that is mine; I tell you that, another Black man is now dead.

Take note that, Sharmoco Newbold is dead; having been wasted – some say- by a police man.

In time, we might all have some idea; some bit of information concerning why he had to die as he did when he bit the dust as he did, this Saturday past.

But in the meanwhile as we await the coming of that day when truth is revealed; take note that, having thought deeply about the matter on today’s agenda, I am prepared to argue that, this land that is ours is an infernal kind of place – an archipelagic necropolis; a place where Death reigns and lurks; triumphant with the results of carnage unleashed.

Having thought deeply about the matter on today’s agenda, I am prepared to argue that, this land that is ours is an infernal kind of place – an archipelagic necropolis; a place where Death lurks and for sure, our land has become –inch by bloody inch - a place where thugs in uniform routinely kill unarmed citizens.

Indeed, today’s exotic-erotic Bahamas is a hellish, messed up kind of place. It is a place where you can get killed for apparently no real reason.

It is a fact that, "The shooting death of 18-year-old Brenton Smith has raised questions as to whether the armed members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force have adequate firearms training to ensure they react properly to high-pressure situations or whether some are "trigger- happy" officers whose first instinct is to pull the trigger.

Now know that, "It was just before 8 pm on a warm summer's evening -- on the cusp of the country's 36th Independence anniversary -- when the 2008 graduate of St Augustine's College walked with a friend through a popular shortcut used by many in the Kemp Road area. The path led to the nearby City Market food store on Village Road.

"He was in a hurry to flag down a jitney before it got dark and warned his friend not to make him late for his younger sister's singing recital. "But he never made it there…"

As I now imagine things – even as Brenton tried to find his way to his sister’s recital, the death angels hovered about in the immediate vicinity of that food-store that had been robbed in that same time as Hector Brenton just happened to be passing by.

The rest of the story is simple enough – Brenton was laid low by police gun-fire.

Today, Brenton Hector Smith is still dead.

The police officer who killed him is alive and well and working as a police officer. And from all that I currently suspect, this officer is armed.

While I have no basis on which to pin a judgment or opinion to the effect that this man is dangerous; I hope that his path and mine never cross.

Or to be a tad more charitable, I hope to see him on the Judgment Day – and then only so that I can get an opportunity to get the real story as to how it came to be that Hector Brenton Smith was destroyed -as he was – where he was on that fateful night when a police officer was man enough to kill him. Even now, some of my fellow-Bahamians do verily believe that Hector Brenton Smith was killed in cold blood.

For my part, I just do not know a thing about this.

What I do know is that a Coroner’s Jury did last Thursday – on a Thursday just like this one – did say that it was unanimous in its conclusion that the police officer with the gun had acted in his own self-defense when he apprehended that his life might be at danger; thus that one blast that sent Hector Brenton Smith to thy kingdom come – on a one way ticket to Oblivion. And so, that is how it is done in today’s stinking Bahamas.

I am today so very sorry for my people.

And on the basis of all that I know and believe – based on my faith in a Risen Savior- I am sure that I will see this student of mine on that day when Gabriel gets set to blow his trumpet.

I am also certain that the man who killed him will bow and confess to God Almighty for what he did when he did what he did on that fateful night when he shot the shot that felled the boy who was trying to find his way home through what he thought was a short-cut from one dead end road to another crime-infested street.

Little did Brenton know that the route he took was that one that would take him – in a flash of fire and in the stench of his own shed-blood – to that place where the dead congregate.

And the preacher-man said some days later: dust to dust and ashes to ashes and another young man’s remains were returned to the earth.

The same kind of thing happened for Jermaine Mackey’s family when they had to bury what was left of him in the aftermath of his death by police gun-fire on St. James Road in the Eastern District of this infernal island.

And then, there was that now-notorious case of a young man who was known as Sharky, but whose real name was Deron Bethel – this case being the one where –as he sat in his car and as he tried to get away from what was clearly a bad scene unfolding – he was shot through the heart.

He bled to death.

And even now, his mother grieves for the man-child who emerged – head-first- from her womb. Today this woman is grandchild to her dead son’s child – my God-son –Deron Bethel, Jr.

And still, blessed are the peacemakers.

November 25th, 2010

The Bahama Journal

Bahamas Blog International

Hubert Ingraham, Crime and the FNM’s 2012 election chances

Ingraham, crime and the FNM’s election chances
thenassauguardian editorial



The focus of the entire country appears to be on crime. Bahamians are concerned that we are days away from a third homicide record in four years. More and more Bahamians are either telling stories about being victims of crime, or of close friends and relatives being attacked or robbed.

Hubert Ingraham is seeking a fourth mandate. If successful, it would mean he would have ruled this archipelago for 20 years. In 1992, few would have dreamed he would attempt this based on his criticism of Sir Lynden Pindling’s long 25-year stay.

If he is to reach the mark of 20 years as prime minister, Ingraham has to fight through a crime problem that cannot be won by executing a well thought out communications strategy. He and the Free National Movement (FNM) will need successes in 2011.

There appear to be two main problems, on the response side of the equation, fueling the crime surge in The Bahamas.

On the one hand, the national system of prosecution has become dysfunctional. When crimes are committed there must be competent investigations by police, efficient case management by prosecutors and proper trial management by the judiciary.

Our police have not been producing the best cases, our prosecutors have prosecuted little and we do not have enough criminal courts.

The government seems to agree with this analysis.

It has changed leadership at the Royal Bahamas Police Force and at the Department of Public Prosecutions. It is also providing the funding and legislative change necessasry for more courts to begin hearing cases.

But for these changes to lead to the desired results, there must be someone with the strength of will present overseeing the justice system as a whole to ensure they work. That person would also need to have the capacity and energy to ensure other necessary reforms occur.

Both the FNM and the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) have a laissez faire attitude towards crime. The parties assume that the bureaucrats can deal with the problem. The parties must realize they cannot. Many of the institutions of government left by the British have not been evolved by our post-Independence leaders.

In fact, through years and years of cronyism, they have been eroded. Wholesale reform is needed. And a leader, passionate about the problem and competent enough to fix it, must be found.

The second problem relates to the state lack of willingness to use the necessary type of force when faced with crisis. On Monday night police shot and killed Walden Mitchell, 38, in the rear of the Grove Police Station.

Mitchell had gone on a little crime spree of sorts in the days preceeding his death. This included trying to kill a police officer. Police sourced also said Mitchell sent them a message that he was armed and ready.

What police did in response was what needed to be done. Mitchell was found and eliminated. There are others who need to be found and eliminated.

If the state would use those same officers who so skillfully eliminated Mitchell to find and eliminate some of the hit men, armed home invaders and robbers that are wrecking havoc in The Bahamas, the crime rate would begin to decline.

The state is not as feared as it used to be. People are rioting in front of police stations and attacking senior police officers. People are breaking into police stations and courts. Our leaders must find the courage to sanction what is necessary to push back against those who only understand force.

The saving grace for Ingraham and the FNM is that the PLP has no answers to the crime problem and the electorate knows this. However, voters usually voice their frustrations against incumbents. If “Papa” is to win his forth term, maintaining the status quo on the crime front will not work.

The PLP has the luxury of issuing statements rambling on and on about the crime problem because it is not in power. The FNM has to deliver solutions now because it is the government.

11/24/2010

thenassauguardian editorial

Bahamas Blog Internayional

When Police Shoot and Kill

The Bahama Journal Editorial


We live in a time that seems to suggest that there is a war going on out there; with the police pitted against some of their fellow-Bahamians.

With this in mind, today we suggest that, the time has come [and perhaps, some of that same time might have already come and gone] for those in charge of the Royal Bahamas Police Force to be up and doing with coming clean with all they know concerning matters that now routinely lead to the death of this or that civilian.

And for sure, as one incident yields to another in what seems to be a spiral of criminal and police instigated violence – some Bahamians are beginning to tire of what they say happens to be high-handedness on the part of some police officers.

While we are certain that policing is peculiarly stressful in these very hard times; we are also quite sensitive to complaints coming in to the effect that, police officers sometimes do overstep their legal boundaries.

Indeed, such has been admitted by any number of law-makers and bureaucrats who speak knowledgeably about the so-called ‘bad apples’ in uniform.

Here reform is badly needed; and for sure, there is also some indication that, the time might be ripe for the high command in the police force to review its policies concerning who should or should not be armed while on routine patrol in our heartland communities.

And so today, [and like a host of other Bahamians]; we are all ears as the police make it their business to come forward with a fully plausible set of explanations as to how and why it came to be that a young Bain Town man who was said to be gambling on the side of a street now finds himself quite dead.

We need some answers.

Indeed, while we are not quite sure as to precisely what did go down in Bain Town this Saturday past, when a young man died [purportedly at the hands of a policeman]; we are nonetheless prepared to suggest that fear played a major part in skewing the perception of both the policeman and the man he allegedly killed.

As one man tried to run away from the police; he was felled by a bullet coming his way from the muzzle of a policeman’s service revolver.

In time, the rest of this story will be told.

But for now, take note that, something has gone so badly awry in this land that, police and the citizenry are seemingly locked in a mire of mutual incomprehension.

Evidence in support of this conclusion comes from any number of sources; some of these inclusive of reports attributed to the police and to some of our citizens, particularly from any number of people who live in our heartland communities.

On the one hand, we have situations and circumstances where police are convinced that this or that neighborhood is said to be infested with drug dealing, street-level prostitution and a host of other so-called ‘deviant’ activities.

And for sure, there are all those other reports that are proud to report that, while there are problems arising in some of our heartland communities; none of them reaches that level of panic as suggested by some observers who might have other ideas.

Here suffice it to say that, we are absolutely convinced that much that we hear about what is happening in these communities is comprised of a tissue of lies, some stereotyping and a host of gross generalizations.

Evidently, this juxtaposition neatly explains how –in case after bloody case – the police shoot someone or the other who – on examination – turns out to be somebody’s good child.

But for sure, in a situation where fear prevails, misperceptions will and do arise. And so today, we have a situation on our hands where fear, dread and criminality run rampant; with some of our adolescent youth little more than, rapists in the making; murderers in training and thieves in their infancy.

This they do when they are called to provide bail for this child or that child who is –as the saying goes – held in the protective custody of the state.

Something is dreadfully wrong with this picture.

Clearly, then, nothing real or good can come from this latest outrage so long as the police and the people are seemingly at loggerheads.

Here we go further as we note that, things can only go from bad to worse in this land of ours so long as some of our youth [particularly some of those young men who live in the so-called ghetto] see the police as part of an oppressive Babylon.

By the same token, our police officers must come to the realization that, things are not as bad in these heartland communities as some of the stereotypes surrounding them might, would or could suggest.

November 24, 2010

The Bahama Journal Editorial

Bahamas Blog International

Crime in The Bahamas

A Blight of Pathology and Crime
The Bahama Journal Editorial


By way of both preface and prologue, today we join our voice to all those that today sigh, cry and lament for a nation that is losing its way. The evidence is abundant that very many Bahamians are already lost; some of them bought – lock, stock and barrel – by new slavers.

This time around, the new slavery is one that calls on so very many people to get rich or die trying. The new tyranny calls on people who have disputes to leave no stone turned in their perfervid quest for what they think is justice delivered their way and on the spot.

Compounding the matter at hand is that collective delusion concerning the role the police are supposed to be making in this regard.

Day in and day out we are regaled with one long story after the other from this or that police spokesperson concerning the latest outrage.

To date, all of this has been either warmed over self-congratulation on the part of the police or some of the most wonderful nonsense ever chatted by anyone we know.

We have heard it said that crime is the fever chart of a sick society. As we see it, this statement speaks truth.

It might be very useful for us to analyze crime in The Bahamas as if it was one of our major public health issues.

Crime and social health are intimately connected. The more criminalized the society, the greater the degree of social pathology.

In every country, to a greater or lesser extent, violence blights lives and undermines health. Acknowledging this, in 1996 the 49th World Health Assembly adopted a resolution (WHA49.25) declaring violence a major and growing public health problem across the world.

Of note is the fact that the resolution ended by calling for a plan of action for progress towards a science based public health approach to preventing violence. The World Health Organization defines violence as the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or a group or community, that either results in, or has a high likelihood of resulting in, injury, death, psychological harm, mal-development, or deprivation.

In just the past six years – coterminous with the so-called war against terror – millions of people have died as a result of violence. Many more have suffered injury.

Of the deaths, tens of thousands were suicides, almost a third were homicides. In addition, tens of thousands of children were slaughtered.

Note well that our own country continues to experience some of the effects of this dread mix of pathology and crime. Here we note that, as crime cascades throughout our archipelago; some of our people are beginning to wonder whether there is truth in the proposition that, the criminal element is large; that it is violent and that, in case after case, they have been able to baffle the police.

Indeed, such has been the insidious flow of this onslaught that, few Bahamians are today any longer outraged when they hear about the newest low to which some criminals can go. Instead, what we do get is some variant on the conclusion that, things such as these are to be expected in these last and evil days.

As we see things -- Such has been the extent to which rape, mayhem, murder and other dastardly crimes against the person and property now pervade public consciousness; few Bahamians take note of the fact that there are –quite literally speaking – murderers, rapists, thieves and other such thugs smack-dab in the midst of the likes of them.

This, in turn, has to do with the fact that, very many of these god-awful crimes sometimes remain unsolved; and as they recede from the public’s agenda of the moment; even more crimes are committed.

Commonsense alone suggests that, some of these crimes might well be the handiwork of some of these ‘successful’ criminals.

And so, like others who now despair, we wonder whether those in charge of the police force are themselves seized of the enormity of this conjecture; particularly as they chat here, there and sometimes seemingly everywhere about zero-tolerance and intelligence-driven policing.

Yet again, we wonder.

Evidently, then, while crime remains one of this nation’s premier public safety issues; it is also a seriously pressing health issue.

As a public health issue, the search for solution requires much more than policing. In addition, we take it as a given that, policing always works best in situations where people are disciplined and therefore self-policed.

You really do not have to be a genius or rocket scientist to figure out that once you have to call in the police, the game is already over.

There is also the real probability that crime persists precisely because we have become collectively delinquent; and that we routinely flout both the law of God and the law of man.

November 16th, 2010

The Bahama Journal Editorial

Bahamas Blog International

A drug turf war has escalated within New Providence inner city

Drug war has escalated in inner city, say police
By STAFF WRITER ~ Guardian News Desk:


A drug turf war has escalated within the inner city following the death of a notorious drug dealer, according to police sources.

Police have witnessed an upsurge in murders following the drug dealer's death in 2007, as members of his gang have carried out retaliatory killings and the battle for control of the murdered man's turf has waged on in communities off East Street. A significant number of the 87 murders recorded last year were attributed to this turf war, police said, adding that murders outside of the east Street community are also linked to the war.

Some of those murders remain unsolved as law-abiding citizens fear reprisals for cooperating with police. The fear is real with police acknowledging that witnesses have been killed to prevent them from testifying.

However, this year murders related to the inner city have decreased in part because some of the alleged perpetrators are in prison or are dead, sources allege. Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade promised to focus on the 'drug war' when he took office in December 2009.

With 48 murders recorded as of yesterday, the country could record its third murder record in four years.

National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest told the House of Assembly recently that more people who are charged with murder are on bail than on remand at Her Majesty's Prison.

Up to April 30, 130 people charged with murder were on bail and an additional 127 were on remand, according to Turnquest. In total, there are 257 outstanding murder cases.

July 5, 2010

thenassauguardian

Bahamas Blog International

Rape Charges Dropped Against Bahamian Cabinet Minister, Bradley Roberts

Rape Charges Dropped

 

 

 

 

By Candia Dames

candiadames@hotmail.com

Nassau, The Bahamas

12th January, 2005

 

 

 

Attorney General Alfred Sears announced last night that the woman who claimed Minister Bradley Roberts raped her dropped the charge against him bringing an end to the matter that has generated much public concern over the last two weeks.

 

A statement from the AG said that the woman showed up at the Office of the Attorney General accompanied by her lawyer, Anthony McKinney.

 

"Mr. McKinney indicated that he had recently been retained by the virtual complainant in respect of this matter", the statement said.  "The virtual complainant presented the officials in the Office of the Attorney General with a letter withdrawing her complaint in clear and unequivocal terms".

 

According to the AG, her letter said, "My decision to withdraw my allegation is not based or due to any payment made to me or any offer to pay me in the future.  My decision is made of my own free will without any pressure, duress or undue influence".

 

The statement said that the woman was interviewed by the director, and the deputy director of public prosecutions - who were both, satisfied that she was making a voluntary withdrawal of the allegation of rape against Minister Roberts.

 

"I have considered the file, the recommendation of the Commissioner of Police, the advice of my senior officials and the letter of withdrawal from the virtual complainant and I have decided, in the total circumstances, not to institute criminal proceedings against Mr. Roberts in respect of this matter".

 

The surprise announcement came amid a growing call for the minister's resignation and mounting criticisms against the police and the prime minister for the handling of the matter.

 

Earlier yesterday, the Free National Movement released a statement claiming that justice was "under assault by a rash, unfair PLP".  It's a claim that PLP and government officials have vehemently denied, dismissing the FNM's comments on the matter as an attempt to gain political mileage from the situation.

 

Minister Roberts, who had maintained his innocence all along, was not available for comment on the revelation last night.

 

Only days ago, the woman's initial attorney, Wallace Rolle, indicated that she was looking forward to her day in court.

 

Last night, he said he was "shocked" when he listened to the news.

 

"I spoke with my client very early this morning", Mr. Rolle said.  "I hadn't spoken to her since then. I believe that the pressure that had been put on her caused her to succumb.  This is a sad day for me, not the fact that she had gotten another attorney, but it is sad for justice.

 

She got something like 100 calls a day from different people in the community asking her to withdraw the complaint.  I am surprised by the level we have sunk in society". 

The Bahamas Police Chief Passes the Buck on Alleged Rape Against Bahamian Cabinet Minister- Bradley Roberts, MP

Bahamas Police Chief "Passes Buck"

 

 

 

 

 

By Candia Dames

Nassau, The Bahamas

candiadames@hotmail.com

6th January, 2005

 

 

 

Commissioner of Police Paul Farquharson was called upon three times during a press conference on Wednesday to explain why police took three weeks to question Minister of Works and Utilities Bradley Roberts in connection with the rape claim made against him.

 

Mr. Farquharson said police did not want to act prematurely and in some instances have waited up to six months to question persons accused in similar matters.  The Minister said in a recent statement that he went to the police "voluntarily".

 

The police commissioner also declined to answer another pressing question as members of the media pressed him on whether there was enough evidence to charge the Cabinet Minister with a crime.

 

Mr. Farquharson instead suggested that reporters contact the AG's Office for an answer to that question, which was perhaps the most pressing one of the day.

 

During the press conference at police headquarters on East Street, he also insisted that the police did not move too slowly in the matter despite the perception that some members of the public may have.

 

"Remember that once a complaint is laid against any citizen of The Bahamas by another citizen, the police must conduct lines of inquiries in order to prove that allegation", he said.  'It is only at certain stages of the investigation will you pick up or invite or arrest a suspect in order to put the questions of that inquiry to that particular suspect'.

 

The police commissioner also praised his detectives for concluding the investigation in "record time", noting that the woman reported the allegation on December 5.

 

"There are several other cases that are similar that have come before the police that have taken a longer time" ,he said.  "There are some that may have taken a shorter time, but this one took four weeks".

 

But his statements were not enough to convince Wallace Rolle, the alleged victim's attorney, that police handled the matter efficiently.

 

Mr. Rolle asked Mr. Farquharson to explain why Minister Roberts was not questioned sooner.  But the police commissioner indicated that it was inappropriate for him to ask the question in that setting and declined to give an answer.

 

Following the press conference, Mr. Rolle said the event was 'a complete waste of time'.

 

"The commissioner passed the buck", he charged.  "I don't think he answered any question. I don't think we're any closer today than we were yesterday.  He doesn't want to make a decision.  He wants somebody else to make the decision.  A month later, this lady who made a complaint to the police is no closer to getting before the court and I think that is unfortunate".

 

During the press conference, Mr. Farquharson assured that there was no political interference in the investigation and he said no one is above the law.

 

"This allegation, like every other serious allegation, placed the onerous task on the police of conducting an objective, transparent and a thorough investigation into the matter reported", he said.

 

Mr. Farquharson was asked whether he was concerned about the perception that some people may have that the Minister's case is receiving special treatment.  He assured that it was not and explained why he felt it necessary to call a press conference in relation to this rape claim as opposed to any other rape claim.

 

"I think it's very clear to everyone that this matter has drawn great public debate and because of the individual who is involved, who occupies a very high profile office, the public interest certainly goes above everything else and I thought from where I sit, I owe [it to] the citizens of this country to explain how that investigation took place", he said.

 

"This particular incident of the allegation that is laid before us is one that created great public concern and I felt as commissioner that I had a responsibility to forward the results of this investigation to the AG's Office.

 

"We have forwarded many matters to the AG's Office before.  This is not the first rape incident that has been forwarded to the AG's Office for further considerations or direction.  This is only one of many so there is nothing unusual about this particular case".

 

Director of Public Prosecutions Bernard Turner, who spoke to the Bahama Journal from his office on Wednesday, also pointed out that it is not unusual for the police to send a file of this nature to the AG's office.

 

When asked how long it will take for authorities there to make a determination on the matter, he said, "We want to consider it properly.  I expect that we will make a determination in due course".

 

Like the commissioner of police, he declined to say whether the police have made a recommendation on whether there is sufficient evidence for the Minister to be charged.

 

At the press conference on Wednesday, Chief Superintendent of Police Marvin Dames told reporters that police find themselves in a "very, very unique situation".

 

"Because we have to appreciate and respect due process and the rights of individuals, we cannot just carelessly reveal aspects of the investigation to the press and members of the public as we receive it", Mr. Dames said.

 

"We only release what we feel is fair to release and we have never done an investigation in the press and that is critical.  We have not done so because we respect the rights of both parties".

 

His statement was an obvious reference to a question asked by a reporter regarding whether Minister Roberts has admitted to having sexual relations with the woman who made the claim against him.

 

In a recent interview with the Bahama Journal, the Minister said only that he knows the woman in question.