When will the gun court be ready?
thenassauguardian editorial
Late in January of this year, the government made a big announcement that in conjunction with the judiciary it had set up a gun court in a move to ensure that those found in possession of illegal firearms are quickly prosecuted.
Attorney General John Delaney, Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest,Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade and senior officers from the Royal Bahamas Police Force all attended the news conference, which was held after a meeting with Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham on gun crime.
According to police data, guns were used in 69 out of the 94 homicides recorded in 2010. Out of 17 homicides recorded so far for the year, 14 involved guns. Also last year, 351 illegal firearms and 6,224 rounds of ammunition were seized – an increase over the year before.
That announcement was made on Friday, January 28. Turnquest said that they expected suspects to appear before the court on that following Monday.
Just over four weeks later, The Nassau Guardian reported that while a magistrate had been designated for the speciality court, it still did not have a prosecutor.
And the magistrate who had been hearing the new gun cases has yet to complete any of those new gun cases.
In this space, following the announcement of the gun court, we commended the government for the court’s establishment as part of an overall strategy of driving down the high crime rate in the country.
Today we must ask if the news conference was simply a public relations exercise designed to help quiet the public’s outcry against the country’s troubling crime trends.
We saw a record-breaking murder count last year, and so far we are on pace to repeat that trend.
More than one month after the announcement, the new court is still not functioning in the way that it should.
The government is obviously making an effort to attack the problem of crime and the fear that it has created in our society; however, big news conferences attended by big names in the judiciary and the government need to be followed through with action and results.
There are a lot of illegal guns in this country.
And we still think that a gun court, if run properly and given the necessary resources, could help ensure that suspects are quickly prosecuted. This is an important part of any crime fighting strategy.
Results are not expected overnight, especially in a system that is beset with a significant case backlog. However, announcing the establishment of a court and that suspects would start appearing in a matter of days gives the distinct impression that the facility is ready to function.
This was obviously not the case.
The people deserve more than just lip service.
3/2/2011
thenassauguardian editorial
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
Showing posts with label Ellison Greenslade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ellison Greenslade. Show all posts
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
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
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
Friday, January 21, 2011
The Bahamian public is growing weary of the public relations exercises of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF)...
Operation PR?
thenassauguardian editorial
Not long after ending a record-breaking year for murders, The Bahamas has started 2011 on the same sorrowful note.
Criminals have continued their merciless assault. And while murders continue to grab headlines, there have already for the year also been numerous reports of shootings, stabbings, armed robberies and other serious crimes.
Added to this has been an obvious rise in the fear of crime among citizens, many of whom will probably never be victims.
This state of crisis has placed untold pressure on Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade, whose first year at the helm of the Royal Bahamas Police Force has perhaps been the most challenging of his career.
Greenslade and his team are pressured to act.
So it came as no surprise when this week armed squads of officers hit the streets of New Providence in their first major crackdown for 2011.
While the force should be supported and commended for its efforts to keep our communities safe, we wonder if “Operation Rapid Strike” — as the commissioner dubbed it — is little more than a public relations initiative designed to help ease the anxiety that has gripped so many residents.
It seemed foolhardy for the commissioner to announce the operation before it happened, and may have amounted to a message to criminals to go into hiding along with their deadly weapons until the commissioner announces the end of Rapid Strike.
On Wednesday, reporters were called to a news conference at police headquarters to watch the weapon-toting squads hop into their vehicles and fan out across New Providence.
It was obviously intended to send the message of a strong police force with a police chief totally in control of the situation.
But did it?
Greenslade said he was pleased to announce to the public that the operation was in response to the numerous reports of murders, shootings, stabbings and other serious crimes.
“This operation has as its main objective the mission to seek out persons involved in murders, armed robberies, possession of illegal firearms, stealing of vehicles, stabbings, break-ins and all other criminal activity,” he said, adding that suspects in recent murders were being specially targeted.
Greenslade pledged to restore peace and civility to our communities, and added that citizens should be “elated that we have heard from them in a very real way and that we have pulled out, as we said, all the stops.”
But it seemed that police may have risked giving away the element of surprise, unless of course the commissioner assumed that the criminals are not prone to watching the evening news.
The force must be at war with the criminal element in a way more forceful than at any other time in our post-Independence history.
In war, the enemy needs no notice.
We certainly hope that Rapid Strike was more than just a show for the cameras, and a headline-grabbing initiative.
We await the final outcome of this special operation. On its first night, 14 people were taken into custody for various alleged offenses. The commissioner must now ensure that proper cases are put together against those detained. Our force is good at arresting but not as good at case preparation.
We think in future it might be best for the commissioner to send his armed squads out without the glare of the cameras and report on the results once the operation has ended.
The public is growing weary of the public relations exercises of the police force. A result-oriented approach might be more welcomed.
1/21/2011
thenassauguardian editorial
thenassauguardian editorial
Not long after ending a record-breaking year for murders, The Bahamas has started 2011 on the same sorrowful note.
Criminals have continued their merciless assault. And while murders continue to grab headlines, there have already for the year also been numerous reports of shootings, stabbings, armed robberies and other serious crimes.
Added to this has been an obvious rise in the fear of crime among citizens, many of whom will probably never be victims.
This state of crisis has placed untold pressure on Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade, whose first year at the helm of the Royal Bahamas Police Force has perhaps been the most challenging of his career.
Greenslade and his team are pressured to act.
So it came as no surprise when this week armed squads of officers hit the streets of New Providence in their first major crackdown for 2011.
While the force should be supported and commended for its efforts to keep our communities safe, we wonder if “Operation Rapid Strike” — as the commissioner dubbed it — is little more than a public relations initiative designed to help ease the anxiety that has gripped so many residents.
It seemed foolhardy for the commissioner to announce the operation before it happened, and may have amounted to a message to criminals to go into hiding along with their deadly weapons until the commissioner announces the end of Rapid Strike.
On Wednesday, reporters were called to a news conference at police headquarters to watch the weapon-toting squads hop into their vehicles and fan out across New Providence.
It was obviously intended to send the message of a strong police force with a police chief totally in control of the situation.
But did it?
Greenslade said he was pleased to announce to the public that the operation was in response to the numerous reports of murders, shootings, stabbings and other serious crimes.
“This operation has as its main objective the mission to seek out persons involved in murders, armed robberies, possession of illegal firearms, stealing of vehicles, stabbings, break-ins and all other criminal activity,” he said, adding that suspects in recent murders were being specially targeted.
Greenslade pledged to restore peace and civility to our communities, and added that citizens should be “elated that we have heard from them in a very real way and that we have pulled out, as we said, all the stops.”
But it seemed that police may have risked giving away the element of surprise, unless of course the commissioner assumed that the criminals are not prone to watching the evening news.
The force must be at war with the criminal element in a way more forceful than at any other time in our post-Independence history.
In war, the enemy needs no notice.
We certainly hope that Rapid Strike was more than just a show for the cameras, and a headline-grabbing initiative.
We await the final outcome of this special operation. On its first night, 14 people were taken into custody for various alleged offenses. The commissioner must now ensure that proper cases are put together against those detained. Our force is good at arresting but not as good at case preparation.
We think in future it might be best for the commissioner to send his armed squads out without the glare of the cameras and report on the results once the operation has ended.
The public is growing weary of the public relations exercises of the police force. A result-oriented approach might be more welcomed.
1/21/2011
thenassauguardian editorial
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Streets, Suites and Social Parasites
The Bahama Journal Editorial
Sadly and regrettably – this weekend past was like most we have experienced over the course of the past two decades and more; being dreadfully the same as thugs and other social parasites went out their business of looting, shooting, raping and killing.
For some of these people – the crimes begin on Thursday; are rampant on Friday and come to full throttle on Saturdays.
And so, it was this weekend past; the Princess Margaret’s Hospital was awash in blood; people wailed as their loved ones were rolled in on gurneys and stretchers; and one or two others stood in mute horror as the remains of this or that person were rolled away.
Saturday’s crescendo witnessed the death of a youth in Bain Town and the presentation of a tableau that show-cased Rambo-styled police-officers; armed to the teeth and [evidently] ready for some action.
Thankfully and mercifully, Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade was in place and brought calm to what could have been a scene of bloody carnage. He is to be thanked for the maturity he brought as he spoke to a distraught community of men, women and youth – residents in that heartland community.
We listened in as he underscored the importance of label and interpretation whenever an event transpires and which attracts the attention of the police.
Here the Commissioner went to some lengths to make the point that no riot had taken place in Bain Town; and that while a youth was killed, there was never any reason for anyone to interpret neighborhood anger and regret [and even rage] as precursors to a riot.
Evidently, it is important to note that the Commissioner himself - as a product of Bain Town- knows the heart and spirit of that community better than most of his peers in the field of policing – and very many others, inclusive of some of our policymakers.
None of this should be taken to suggest that the Police Commissioner is enveloped in a thicket of illusions; indeed, to the contrary – there is every suggestion that, Ellison Greenslade’s calming presence made a major difference to a situation that could have been seriously ugly.
Evidently, this man’s hands are full with what happens to be his mandate; to help rid this society of the handiwork of any number of people who can and should be described as thugs and parasites run amok.
Here we would suggest that, as in any other occupation, there seems to be a species of division of labor in the ranks of those thugs and parasites who bedevil the rest of our society; with that division of labor consisting of those men and women who specialize in selling guns and ammunition; the men who rape; the men and women who rob others; those who specialize in home invasions; the rapists; those who specialize in abusing girls and boys and [of course] those who kill and get away with this most dastardly of crimes against the human person.
And then, there is that very special category of criminals – those medical practitioners and their patients who [as we are told] routinely abort fetuses alive in the womb.
This work is routinely and euphemistically described as ‘a procedure’. In instance after instance, the procedure is little more than a slick way of covering up the deliberate killing of that being who would – in the fullness of time- have become a living, breathing human person.
That this act is invariably illegal in The Bahamas underscores its violence and further serves to illuminate how coarse things have become for so very many Bahamians.
Evidently, these people are fulsomely deserving of the epithet, ‘thugs and assassins’.
This is how they should be described, notwithstanding their elevated social status as professionals.
Simply put, their crimes stink to high heaven!
And to be quite honest about the matter at hand, there are instances where – as we have been told- some of this nation’s most successful criminals routinely out-think, out-maneuver and who are able to baffle the police. These are the criminals who have succeeded.
Yet again, some of these people are well-educated; with some of them being lawyers, doctors, accountants, nurses, teachers and other so-called respectable people.
Some of these criminals work from the safety of their suites; thus having the safest of distance from the ruder and cruder kind of criminal whose work is done –as it were- in the raw.
While these criminals are the ones who are seen on a daily and nightly basis; there is reason to believe that some of these hard men and women are in the indirect employ of some of the hard men and women who do their stuff from on-high.
It is this aspect of that matter that involves thugs and social parasites that should also engage the urgent attention of Police Commissioner Greenslade and some of his officers.
November 22nd, 2010
The Bahama Journal Editorial
Sadly and regrettably – this weekend past was like most we have experienced over the course of the past two decades and more; being dreadfully the same as thugs and other social parasites went out their business of looting, shooting, raping and killing.
For some of these people – the crimes begin on Thursday; are rampant on Friday and come to full throttle on Saturdays.
And so, it was this weekend past; the Princess Margaret’s Hospital was awash in blood; people wailed as their loved ones were rolled in on gurneys and stretchers; and one or two others stood in mute horror as the remains of this or that person were rolled away.
Saturday’s crescendo witnessed the death of a youth in Bain Town and the presentation of a tableau that show-cased Rambo-styled police-officers; armed to the teeth and [evidently] ready for some action.
Thankfully and mercifully, Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade was in place and brought calm to what could have been a scene of bloody carnage. He is to be thanked for the maturity he brought as he spoke to a distraught community of men, women and youth – residents in that heartland community.
We listened in as he underscored the importance of label and interpretation whenever an event transpires and which attracts the attention of the police.
Here the Commissioner went to some lengths to make the point that no riot had taken place in Bain Town; and that while a youth was killed, there was never any reason for anyone to interpret neighborhood anger and regret [and even rage] as precursors to a riot.
Evidently, it is important to note that the Commissioner himself - as a product of Bain Town- knows the heart and spirit of that community better than most of his peers in the field of policing – and very many others, inclusive of some of our policymakers.
None of this should be taken to suggest that the Police Commissioner is enveloped in a thicket of illusions; indeed, to the contrary – there is every suggestion that, Ellison Greenslade’s calming presence made a major difference to a situation that could have been seriously ugly.
Evidently, this man’s hands are full with what happens to be his mandate; to help rid this society of the handiwork of any number of people who can and should be described as thugs and parasites run amok.
Here we would suggest that, as in any other occupation, there seems to be a species of division of labor in the ranks of those thugs and parasites who bedevil the rest of our society; with that division of labor consisting of those men and women who specialize in selling guns and ammunition; the men who rape; the men and women who rob others; those who specialize in home invasions; the rapists; those who specialize in abusing girls and boys and [of course] those who kill and get away with this most dastardly of crimes against the human person.
And then, there is that very special category of criminals – those medical practitioners and their patients who [as we are told] routinely abort fetuses alive in the womb.
This work is routinely and euphemistically described as ‘a procedure’. In instance after instance, the procedure is little more than a slick way of covering up the deliberate killing of that being who would – in the fullness of time- have become a living, breathing human person.
That this act is invariably illegal in The Bahamas underscores its violence and further serves to illuminate how coarse things have become for so very many Bahamians.
Evidently, these people are fulsomely deserving of the epithet, ‘thugs and assassins’.
This is how they should be described, notwithstanding their elevated social status as professionals.
Simply put, their crimes stink to high heaven!
And to be quite honest about the matter at hand, there are instances where – as we have been told- some of this nation’s most successful criminals routinely out-think, out-maneuver and who are able to baffle the police. These are the criminals who have succeeded.
Yet again, some of these people are well-educated; with some of them being lawyers, doctors, accountants, nurses, teachers and other so-called respectable people.
Some of these criminals work from the safety of their suites; thus having the safest of distance from the ruder and cruder kind of criminal whose work is done –as it were- in the raw.
While these criminals are the ones who are seen on a daily and nightly basis; there is reason to believe that some of these hard men and women are in the indirect employ of some of the hard men and women who do their stuff from on-high.
It is this aspect of that matter that involves thugs and social parasites that should also engage the urgent attention of Police Commissioner Greenslade and some of his officers.
November 22nd, 2010
The Bahama Journal Editorial
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Dr David Allen: ...an "ominous and pervasive culture of violence and destruction" taking over The Bahamas
Research shows 'culture of violence and destruction' taking over country
By NOELLE NICOLLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
nnicolls@tribunemedia.net:
THREE years worth of research into the root causes of crime in the Bahamas show an "ominous and pervasive culture of violence and destruction" taking over the country, according to Dr David Allen, psychiatrist and founder of Bahamian Forum.
Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade and Bamboo Town Member of Parliament Branville McCartney spoke at the relaunched Bahamian Forum hosted last week. Dr Allen presented findings from his study that included interviews with families of murder victims, students involved in violent disorderly behaviour, chronic drug addicts, public and private psychotherapy groups, confidential interviews with children, and other sample groups.
"We found a powerful sense of anger amongst us Bahamians. Throughout the three-year study participants talked about "outting", which was the word for killing; poisoning, women particularly, and suicide," said Dr Allen.
"A few months ago we had a young girl commit suicide. We have five of her friends right now who want to do the same thing right now. Their argument is, 'Doc, life is in the body. When there are no good things for you, you can't wear Nike, and designer clothes, you can't have the right weight, you might as well die.'" They believe life is purely in the body," he said.
Dr Allen said Bahamians act based on destructive anger patterns, instead of constructive anger patterns that are fostered from by grieving, forgiveness, gratitude, and compassion, among other factors. He said the destructive anger breeds resentment, bitterness, grudgefulness, lack of inhibition and a "hardness of heart."
Commissioner Greenslade said there were several incidents where family members showed little emotion when one of their own was murdered. They had no interest in helping police solve the crime and treated the murder as collateral damage.
"Bahamians are saying I don't feel the murders anymore; it's just what is supposed to happen. They build a wall in their heart. Most disturbing is we found a number of young girls who had no compunction about giving their bodies for money. They pay for their education, but they also pay for their parents' air conditioning, refrigeration and also their cable. The point is they had no feeling about it. They said, 'Doc, that is what you call survival in the Bahamas.' That was very, very disturbing," said Dr Allen.
"Nearly every person who was involved in a serious crime interviewed had some severe abuse, physical or sexual. We have a chronic child abuse problem in our country," he said.
The good news, according to Dr Allen, is found in a study condition by John Hopkins university that showed, if community leaders walked around their communities once per week for a period of two years, it would drastically reduce the occurrence of child abuse.
"Can you imagine if each church adopted the area around each church and walked the area around that church each week. They will see the child neglect; they will see the child abuse; they will see the incubation of crime and we can revolutionise the Bahamas in about three years," said Dr Allen.
Dr Allen said the culture of crime and violence was creating a large network of people suffering from trauma. The symptoms of this trauma, he said, were a "deep desire for revenge," insecurity, "upside down values."
"Young men and women join gangs for affirmation, safety, protection, connection and empowerment. This is a growing phenomenon and a serious one, because the herd instinct psychologically is the most violent aspect of human nature. For God's sake we have to stop this now. Property is not respected. With a gun, what is yours is mine. As they say in the hood, with a gun, even if you lose a dice game, you still win," said Dr Allen.
"In a group of 10 to 15 year olds, they don't expect to live long, as a result (they think) you do what you can, get as much money and then if you get killed or kill somebody that's it. One guy said if I kill somebody the most I'll get is six months, then I'll get on bail. That is 15 year olds talking. There is a modeling process happening. And then, of course, they think violence is cool. It's power to kick somebody, to stab somebody and see that blood ooze out," he said.
Dr Allen said there was also a lingering effect of the 1980s cocaine epidemic in the Bahamas. "Drug trafficking continues creating fear because of executions, empowering drug lords in turf wars." He said even though there did not seem to be an increase in new coke addicts, there is a "growing chronic marijuana epidemic among our children from 10 years up."
The challenge for Bahamians, according to Dr Allen, is "to increase our awareness because if we don't we'll use the same old ways to do the same old things expecting a different result, and that is the definition of insanity. We need to find a new way for looking at things, a new way of thinking, because if we don't we will repeat the same old, the same old, the same old."
July 14, 2010
tribune242
By NOELLE NICOLLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
nnicolls@tribunemedia.net:
THREE years worth of research into the root causes of crime in the Bahamas show an "ominous and pervasive culture of violence and destruction" taking over the country, according to Dr David Allen, psychiatrist and founder of Bahamian Forum.
Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade and Bamboo Town Member of Parliament Branville McCartney spoke at the relaunched Bahamian Forum hosted last week. Dr Allen presented findings from his study that included interviews with families of murder victims, students involved in violent disorderly behaviour, chronic drug addicts, public and private psychotherapy groups, confidential interviews with children, and other sample groups.
"We found a powerful sense of anger amongst us Bahamians. Throughout the three-year study participants talked about "outting", which was the word for killing; poisoning, women particularly, and suicide," said Dr Allen.
"A few months ago we had a young girl commit suicide. We have five of her friends right now who want to do the same thing right now. Their argument is, 'Doc, life is in the body. When there are no good things for you, you can't wear Nike, and designer clothes, you can't have the right weight, you might as well die.'" They believe life is purely in the body," he said.
Dr Allen said Bahamians act based on destructive anger patterns, instead of constructive anger patterns that are fostered from by grieving, forgiveness, gratitude, and compassion, among other factors. He said the destructive anger breeds resentment, bitterness, grudgefulness, lack of inhibition and a "hardness of heart."
Commissioner Greenslade said there were several incidents where family members showed little emotion when one of their own was murdered. They had no interest in helping police solve the crime and treated the murder as collateral damage.
"Bahamians are saying I don't feel the murders anymore; it's just what is supposed to happen. They build a wall in their heart. Most disturbing is we found a number of young girls who had no compunction about giving their bodies for money. They pay for their education, but they also pay for their parents' air conditioning, refrigeration and also their cable. The point is they had no feeling about it. They said, 'Doc, that is what you call survival in the Bahamas.' That was very, very disturbing," said Dr Allen.
"Nearly every person who was involved in a serious crime interviewed had some severe abuse, physical or sexual. We have a chronic child abuse problem in our country," he said.
The good news, according to Dr Allen, is found in a study condition by John Hopkins university that showed, if community leaders walked around their communities once per week for a period of two years, it would drastically reduce the occurrence of child abuse.
"Can you imagine if each church adopted the area around each church and walked the area around that church each week. They will see the child neglect; they will see the child abuse; they will see the incubation of crime and we can revolutionise the Bahamas in about three years," said Dr Allen.
Dr Allen said the culture of crime and violence was creating a large network of people suffering from trauma. The symptoms of this trauma, he said, were a "deep desire for revenge," insecurity, "upside down values."
"Young men and women join gangs for affirmation, safety, protection, connection and empowerment. This is a growing phenomenon and a serious one, because the herd instinct psychologically is the most violent aspect of human nature. For God's sake we have to stop this now. Property is not respected. With a gun, what is yours is mine. As they say in the hood, with a gun, even if you lose a dice game, you still win," said Dr Allen.
"In a group of 10 to 15 year olds, they don't expect to live long, as a result (they think) you do what you can, get as much money and then if you get killed or kill somebody that's it. One guy said if I kill somebody the most I'll get is six months, then I'll get on bail. That is 15 year olds talking. There is a modeling process happening. And then, of course, they think violence is cool. It's power to kick somebody, to stab somebody and see that blood ooze out," he said.
Dr Allen said there was also a lingering effect of the 1980s cocaine epidemic in the Bahamas. "Drug trafficking continues creating fear because of executions, empowering drug lords in turf wars." He said even though there did not seem to be an increase in new coke addicts, there is a "growing chronic marijuana epidemic among our children from 10 years up."
The challenge for Bahamians, according to Dr Allen, is "to increase our awareness because if we don't we'll use the same old ways to do the same old things expecting a different result, and that is the definition of insanity. We need to find a new way for looking at things, a new way of thinking, because if we don't we will repeat the same old, the same old, the same old."
July 14, 2010
tribune242
Saturday, July 10, 2010
The Bahamas Government is determined to amend the law to extend the time suspected murderers are held in Her Majesty's Prison Fox Hill without trial
Govt determined to amend bail law
By NOELLE NICOLLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
nnicolls@tribunemedia.net:
THE government is determined to amend the law to extend the period of time suspected murderers can be held in Her Majesty's Prison without trial, despite the criticism from some in the legal community, said Attorney General John Delaney.
He said so responding to speaker after speaker at the Bahamian Forum who lambasted the legal system for allowing too many charged people to go free on bail. The public discussion forum was hosted by psychiatrist Dr David Allen.
"Our circumstances have outgrown our present system," said Mr Delaney. He said the government had to respond to the demands of the time.
Currently, a person charged with murder or another serious offence can be granted bail if they have not been brought to trial in a reasonable amount of time, based on their constitutional rights.
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has indicated that his administration plans to specify in law that a reasonable amount of time would be three years. The effort is aimed at cutting down the number of those charged who re-offend while on bail, and assuage public outcry.
The government's efforts were fully endorsed by Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade, who said: "It is time we stop releasing people on bail.
"We are very surprised some days to find a person lying dead in our streets murdered by a person who is on bail for murder and the victim is on bail for murder."
He said he had no shortage of examples of charged offenders who posed a threat to society being out on bail; reoffending while out on bail; or being murdered while out on bail.
There was an arrest made of a Bahamian man who was investigated based on photographs on the social networking website, Facebook. He posed in photographs dressed in a bullet-proof vest, with a marijuana cigarette in his mouth, an AK-47 in one hand and two pistols in the other. Upon investigation, police recovered the illegal guns and drugs. Commissioner Greenslade said if he were asked where that person is today, the answer would be out on bail.
The police recovered $2 million stored in a house in a drug-related incident that resulted in a prosecution. The man charged was a victim of murder while out on bail. The same fate met a man charged in a drug-related incident, where $300,000 worth of cash proceeds of crime were recovered.
Commissioner Greenslade said the obligation of the police was to arrest and charge suspected criminals. He said the police had a high rate of detection and was doing its part. Charges were filed by the police in 103 of 147 cases of illegal weapons since the start of the year. Charges were filed by the police in 35 of 48 murder cases.
Mr Delaney said the Bahamas is experiencing a crime wave on top of having a court system in backlog with laws that are outdated. He said a complex web of problems was working against efforts to control crime, however there has been no other time in history when the government has contributed so "much capital resources to the court system."
In order to solve the problem of a backlog, the government is seeking to double the capacity of the Supreme Court so more cases can he heard simultaneously.
This, Mr Delaney, said involved increasing the physical space, the number of judges and the number of jurors.
He said it is a misperception that only 12 jurors were needed for a criminal matter in the Supreme Court. He said for every 12 jurors, a pool of 50 was needed. He said the Bahamian public has a role to play, by turning up for duty.
Public participant, Felicity Ingraham, said there was also a problem of unethical defence attorneys, who manipulated the system to get criminals out on bail.
"There is a small group of attorneys, someone who is likely to commit a murder knows the attorneys, who they can pay a $5,000 retainer that in 18 months they will be back out on the street. These attorneys know how to work the system, because the system is extremely overcrowded, and the laws haven't been changed," said Ms Ingraham.
"There are certain attorneys who wouldn't do it, but there are certain attorneys who would, and they will look for every loophole to get these people out. Some of them are not even Bahamian and they don't care," she said, to a round of applause from the commissioner and Attorney General.
"I know someone who stabbed a friend of mine 52 times. This was just three years ago and I see him on the street hailing me and I don't understand and I don't necessarily feel safe. It was a domestic issue. I heard this guy before talking about what attorney he is going to go to," said Ms Ingraham.
July 09, 2010
tribune242
By NOELLE NICOLLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
nnicolls@tribunemedia.net:
THE government is determined to amend the law to extend the period of time suspected murderers can be held in Her Majesty's Prison without trial, despite the criticism from some in the legal community, said Attorney General John Delaney.
He said so responding to speaker after speaker at the Bahamian Forum who lambasted the legal system for allowing too many charged people to go free on bail. The public discussion forum was hosted by psychiatrist Dr David Allen.
"Our circumstances have outgrown our present system," said Mr Delaney. He said the government had to respond to the demands of the time.
Currently, a person charged with murder or another serious offence can be granted bail if they have not been brought to trial in a reasonable amount of time, based on their constitutional rights.
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has indicated that his administration plans to specify in law that a reasonable amount of time would be three years. The effort is aimed at cutting down the number of those charged who re-offend while on bail, and assuage public outcry.
The government's efforts were fully endorsed by Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade, who said: "It is time we stop releasing people on bail.
"We are very surprised some days to find a person lying dead in our streets murdered by a person who is on bail for murder and the victim is on bail for murder."
He said he had no shortage of examples of charged offenders who posed a threat to society being out on bail; reoffending while out on bail; or being murdered while out on bail.
There was an arrest made of a Bahamian man who was investigated based on photographs on the social networking website, Facebook. He posed in photographs dressed in a bullet-proof vest, with a marijuana cigarette in his mouth, an AK-47 in one hand and two pistols in the other. Upon investigation, police recovered the illegal guns and drugs. Commissioner Greenslade said if he were asked where that person is today, the answer would be out on bail.
The police recovered $2 million stored in a house in a drug-related incident that resulted in a prosecution. The man charged was a victim of murder while out on bail. The same fate met a man charged in a drug-related incident, where $300,000 worth of cash proceeds of crime were recovered.
Commissioner Greenslade said the obligation of the police was to arrest and charge suspected criminals. He said the police had a high rate of detection and was doing its part. Charges were filed by the police in 103 of 147 cases of illegal weapons since the start of the year. Charges were filed by the police in 35 of 48 murder cases.
Mr Delaney said the Bahamas is experiencing a crime wave on top of having a court system in backlog with laws that are outdated. He said a complex web of problems was working against efforts to control crime, however there has been no other time in history when the government has contributed so "much capital resources to the court system."
In order to solve the problem of a backlog, the government is seeking to double the capacity of the Supreme Court so more cases can he heard simultaneously.
This, Mr Delaney, said involved increasing the physical space, the number of judges and the number of jurors.
He said it is a misperception that only 12 jurors were needed for a criminal matter in the Supreme Court. He said for every 12 jurors, a pool of 50 was needed. He said the Bahamian public has a role to play, by turning up for duty.
Public participant, Felicity Ingraham, said there was also a problem of unethical defence attorneys, who manipulated the system to get criminals out on bail.
"There is a small group of attorneys, someone who is likely to commit a murder knows the attorneys, who they can pay a $5,000 retainer that in 18 months they will be back out on the street. These attorneys know how to work the system, because the system is extremely overcrowded, and the laws haven't been changed," said Ms Ingraham.
"There are certain attorneys who wouldn't do it, but there are certain attorneys who would, and they will look for every loophole to get these people out. Some of them are not even Bahamian and they don't care," she said, to a round of applause from the commissioner and Attorney General.
"I know someone who stabbed a friend of mine 52 times. This was just three years ago and I see him on the street hailing me and I don't understand and I don't necessarily feel safe. It was a domestic issue. I heard this guy before talking about what attorney he is going to go to," said Ms Ingraham.
July 09, 2010
tribune242
Friday, July 9, 2010
Rodney Moncur - The Anti-Crime Activist To Lead a 1,000 Man Anti-crime March as The Bahamas Celebrates its 37th Anniversary
Anti-Crime Activist To Lead 1,000 Man March
By Karissma Robinson:
Local anti-crime activist Rodney Moncur is seeking to lead the country back to a place where everyday citizens ultimately "chose peace above crime."
Mr. Moncur plans to host a 1,000 man anti-crime march throughout the streets of New Providence as The Bahamas celebrates its 37th anniversary this Saturday.
He is hoping to send a strong message to the criminal element.
At this point, 48 murders have already been recorded for the year, six of them in just one week.
Mr. Moncur said the issue of crime still sits front and centre in the minds of Bahamians.
"Bahamians are still trying to process what is happening. It is getting out of control," Mr. Moncur said.
He insists that The Bahamas cannot afford to celebrate its independence in this state.
"Pregnant women are now being shot for whatever reason. When is the government going to get it? There is a lot of fear in the society, particularly the fear of being killed. Every witness in a murder case is in peril. The reality is no one seems to be sounding the alarm that witnesses in The Bahamas are being assassinated," said Mr. Moncur.
It is for that reason Mr. Moncur is appealing to Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and other government officials to step up to the plate in the fight against crime.
He said the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) "cannot and should not tackle the problem alone."
Earlier this week, Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade said police officials have devised new policing strategies.
The police force plans to conduct more walkabouts throughout New Providence and the Family Islands to become more familiar with the residents.
However, Mr. Moncur insists that it should be the Members of Parliament conducting walkabouts in their constituencies.
"It is time for the government to step up. It is now time to issue a state of emergency. We now have to pull other military forces together, such as the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBPF) to intervene. Law enforcement should be dispatched at every corner. This has to happen before it is too late," said Mr. Moncur.
Mr. Moncur asserted that the solution to the problem is very simple.
"First, the prime minister needs to stop granting murderers bail. Secondly, he needs to hang all murderers. This is where the problem ends. If these two things are done there will be a drastic reduction in criminal activity," said Mr. Moncur.
He admitted it would not be easy, but believes it is highly possible to reduce the country’s crippling crime problem.
Mr. Moncur stressed the significance of hosting such a march during the country’s 37th birthday.
"This is the time when all patriotic Bahamians should come out in full force. Independence is the time for Bahamians to unite. Bahamians should take this time to send a strong message to the government that they are not safe," he said.
Mr. Moncur said he intends to continue to march until change comes.
He is calling on Bahamians from every fabric of society to join him at the R.M. Bailey High School at 9:00 a.m. this Saturday.
He wants participants to wear paraphernalia that would best represent The Bahamas.
July 8th, 2010
jonesbahamas
By Karissma Robinson:
Local anti-crime activist Rodney Moncur is seeking to lead the country back to a place where everyday citizens ultimately "chose peace above crime."
Mr. Moncur plans to host a 1,000 man anti-crime march throughout the streets of New Providence as The Bahamas celebrates its 37th anniversary this Saturday.
He is hoping to send a strong message to the criminal element.
At this point, 48 murders have already been recorded for the year, six of them in just one week.
Mr. Moncur said the issue of crime still sits front and centre in the minds of Bahamians.
"Bahamians are still trying to process what is happening. It is getting out of control," Mr. Moncur said.
He insists that The Bahamas cannot afford to celebrate its independence in this state.
"Pregnant women are now being shot for whatever reason. When is the government going to get it? There is a lot of fear in the society, particularly the fear of being killed. Every witness in a murder case is in peril. The reality is no one seems to be sounding the alarm that witnesses in The Bahamas are being assassinated," said Mr. Moncur.
It is for that reason Mr. Moncur is appealing to Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and other government officials to step up to the plate in the fight against crime.
He said the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) "cannot and should not tackle the problem alone."
Earlier this week, Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade said police officials have devised new policing strategies.
The police force plans to conduct more walkabouts throughout New Providence and the Family Islands to become more familiar with the residents.
However, Mr. Moncur insists that it should be the Members of Parliament conducting walkabouts in their constituencies.
"It is time for the government to step up. It is now time to issue a state of emergency. We now have to pull other military forces together, such as the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBPF) to intervene. Law enforcement should be dispatched at every corner. This has to happen before it is too late," said Mr. Moncur.
Mr. Moncur asserted that the solution to the problem is very simple.
"First, the prime minister needs to stop granting murderers bail. Secondly, he needs to hang all murderers. This is where the problem ends. If these two things are done there will be a drastic reduction in criminal activity," said Mr. Moncur.
He admitted it would not be easy, but believes it is highly possible to reduce the country’s crippling crime problem.
Mr. Moncur stressed the significance of hosting such a march during the country’s 37th birthday.
"This is the time when all patriotic Bahamians should come out in full force. Independence is the time for Bahamians to unite. Bahamians should take this time to send a strong message to the government that they are not safe," he said.
Mr. Moncur said he intends to continue to march until change comes.
He is calling on Bahamians from every fabric of society to join him at the R.M. Bailey High School at 9:00 a.m. this Saturday.
He wants participants to wear paraphernalia that would best represent The Bahamas.
July 8th, 2010
jonesbahamas
Monday, July 5, 2010
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
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
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) lashes out over the resignation of Malcolm Adderley from the PLP and the House of Assembly
By CANDIA DAMES ~ Guardian News Editor ~ candia@nasguard.com:
The Progressive Liberal Party yesterday let off a volley of stinging criticisms against the governing Free National Movement on the heels of the resignation of Malcolm Adderley from the PLP and the House of Assembly, accusing it of undermining the administration of justice in the country.
"Let Malcolm Adderley serve out his political term," the party said in a detailed statement.
"Do not strike deals behind closed doors, especially those that undermine confidence in the judiciary. Do not impose the cost of a by-election upon Bahamians who are struggling to pay school fees, mortgages, rent, utilities and to buy groceries. The PLP and Bahamians everywhere hope the FNM will stop this madness."
The PLP released the statement after it emerged that Adderley resigned from the Progressive Liberal Party and from the House of Assembly where he is a second-term member of Parliament for Elizabeth. The Guardian understands that Adderley tendered his resignation to House Speaker Alvin Smith on Saturday and also sent a one-line letter of resignation to PLP chairman Bradley Roberts.
His resignation as an MP comes after many months of speculation as Adderley continued to serve as chairman of the Gaming Board when the Free National Movement was elected in 2007, and has been inactive in the PLP's parliamentary caucus.
Adderley's resignation as an MP is effective the end of the day on Wednesday and he is expected to become a Supreme Court judge.
The PLP yesterday accused the Free National Movement of "continued abuses of power and destruction of our institutions", claiming that such "abuses" are "heaping unbearable and irreparable damage upon the backs of Bahamians."
The party went as far as to accuse the government of sparking a record-breaking murder count in 2009 "due to political interference in the appointment of the commissioner of police" Reginald Ferguson, who retires today.
"Commissioner (Ellison) Greenslade was to have been appointed in 2007. The FNM appointed Reginald Ferguson so that his pension could be 'fixed up'," the PLP alleged. "The brother of the then chairman of the FNM and Hubert Ingraham's 'boy' was fixed up while Bahamians paid the price of crime spiraling out of control, tourists were attacked, cruise ships told their passengers not to go on tours, investors left The Bahamas, financial services continued to face steep decline and Bahamians were held hostage in their homes."
Adderley's resignation from Parliament means that a by-election is imminent.
"This means that the people of The Bahamas who are faced with the worst economy and the highest misery index in living memory will now be further burdened with the cost of a by-election in Elizabeth, which will amount to more than $1 million," the PLP stated.
"It means that the FNM is giving as political gifts the position of Supreme Court justice, thereby attacking the institution of an independent judiciary. It also means that the FNM would have determined to ignore the findings of the Election Court pointing out the lack of integrity of the Register of Voters. By any yardstick, the FNM would be holding an election on a register that has a question as to proper scrutiny [and this] will be striking at the very root of democracy.
"The PLP will determine whether to participate in this madness would be supporting an immoral and constitutional travesty."
The party also charged that the government has committed an act of "blatant discrimination" against Justice Cheryl Albury by refusing to extend her service.
"If Justice Albury's tenure was extended, the Bahamian people will simply pay her salary and not a pension at this time. In refusing the extension of Justice Albury's tenure while negotiating a behind the scenes political deal, for the appointment of Malcolm Adderley as a judge and the extension of his tenure before he is even appointed, the FNM would be adding another salary, pension and other perks onto the backs of an already overburdened Bahamian public."
The PLP claimed the government intends to hold a by-election in Elizabeth to determine its level of popularity. The party charged that this "is an abuse of power, tramples upon our laws and is a naked attack upon the institution of a free and fair electoral process."
The by-election in Elizabeth will be the first to be held in the country since the September 1997 by-election in South Andros, which was held after the late former prime minister Sir Lynden Pindling resigned from front-line politics.
In the 2007 general election, Adderley won the Elizabeth seat by only 45 votes, defeating the FNM's Elma Campbell, 1,940 to 1,895.
January 04, 2010
thenassauguardian
The Progressive Liberal Party yesterday let off a volley of stinging criticisms against the governing Free National Movement on the heels of the resignation of Malcolm Adderley from the PLP and the House of Assembly, accusing it of undermining the administration of justice in the country.
"Let Malcolm Adderley serve out his political term," the party said in a detailed statement.
"Do not strike deals behind closed doors, especially those that undermine confidence in the judiciary. Do not impose the cost of a by-election upon Bahamians who are struggling to pay school fees, mortgages, rent, utilities and to buy groceries. The PLP and Bahamians everywhere hope the FNM will stop this madness."
The PLP released the statement after it emerged that Adderley resigned from the Progressive Liberal Party and from the House of Assembly where he is a second-term member of Parliament for Elizabeth. The Guardian understands that Adderley tendered his resignation to House Speaker Alvin Smith on Saturday and also sent a one-line letter of resignation to PLP chairman Bradley Roberts.
His resignation as an MP comes after many months of speculation as Adderley continued to serve as chairman of the Gaming Board when the Free National Movement was elected in 2007, and has been inactive in the PLP's parliamentary caucus.
Adderley's resignation as an MP is effective the end of the day on Wednesday and he is expected to become a Supreme Court judge.
The PLP yesterday accused the Free National Movement of "continued abuses of power and destruction of our institutions", claiming that such "abuses" are "heaping unbearable and irreparable damage upon the backs of Bahamians."
The party went as far as to accuse the government of sparking a record-breaking murder count in 2009 "due to political interference in the appointment of the commissioner of police" Reginald Ferguson, who retires today.
"Commissioner (Ellison) Greenslade was to have been appointed in 2007. The FNM appointed Reginald Ferguson so that his pension could be 'fixed up'," the PLP alleged. "The brother of the then chairman of the FNM and Hubert Ingraham's 'boy' was fixed up while Bahamians paid the price of crime spiraling out of control, tourists were attacked, cruise ships told their passengers not to go on tours, investors left The Bahamas, financial services continued to face steep decline and Bahamians were held hostage in their homes."
Adderley's resignation from Parliament means that a by-election is imminent.
"This means that the people of The Bahamas who are faced with the worst economy and the highest misery index in living memory will now be further burdened with the cost of a by-election in Elizabeth, which will amount to more than $1 million," the PLP stated.
"It means that the FNM is giving as political gifts the position of Supreme Court justice, thereby attacking the institution of an independent judiciary. It also means that the FNM would have determined to ignore the findings of the Election Court pointing out the lack of integrity of the Register of Voters. By any yardstick, the FNM would be holding an election on a register that has a question as to proper scrutiny [and this] will be striking at the very root of democracy.
"The PLP will determine whether to participate in this madness would be supporting an immoral and constitutional travesty."
The party also charged that the government has committed an act of "blatant discrimination" against Justice Cheryl Albury by refusing to extend her service.
"If Justice Albury's tenure was extended, the Bahamian people will simply pay her salary and not a pension at this time. In refusing the extension of Justice Albury's tenure while negotiating a behind the scenes political deal, for the appointment of Malcolm Adderley as a judge and the extension of his tenure before he is even appointed, the FNM would be adding another salary, pension and other perks onto the backs of an already overburdened Bahamian public."
The PLP claimed the government intends to hold a by-election in Elizabeth to determine its level of popularity. The party charged that this "is an abuse of power, tramples upon our laws and is a naked attack upon the institution of a free and fair electoral process."
The by-election in Elizabeth will be the first to be held in the country since the September 1997 by-election in South Andros, which was held after the late former prime minister Sir Lynden Pindling resigned from front-line politics.
In the 2007 general election, Adderley won the Elizabeth seat by only 45 votes, defeating the FNM's Elma Campbell, 1,940 to 1,895.
January 04, 2010
thenassauguardian
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
The Governing Free National Movement (FNM) slams Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts
By CANDIA DAMES ~ Guardian News Editor ~ candia@nasguard.com:
The Free National Movement (FNM) yesterday accused Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts of launching a personal attack on outgoing Commissioner of Police Reginald Ferguson because of a decision by the police force to probe a rape allegation against the former minister several years ago.
"It appears that Bradley Roberts' personal vendetta against Commissioner of Police Reginald Ferguson is related to the decision of the Royal Bahamas Police Force to properly investigate and to forward to the Office of the Attorney General the corroborated criminal complaint of having been raped made against then Cabinet Minister Bradley Roberts by a businesswoman," the FNM said in its statement.
The FNM statement was sent a day after Roberts released a statement in response to an announcement from the Cabinet Office that Ellison Greenslade has been appointed acting commissioner of police as Ferguson is on pre-retirement leave.
In his statement on Sunday, Roberts said the PLP remains disappointed over the initial "political" appointment of Ferguson.
"This was a human example of the FNM's policy of 'stop, cancel and review', in what would have been the most appropriate appointment of Mr. Greenslade," Roberts opined.
"This decision, we feel, contributed to the disintegration of trust on the Royal Bahamas Police Force as well as very regressive crime fighting strategies during one of the most socially chaotic periods in the history of our country."
The PLP chairman said Greenslade is therefore forced to begin his new post at a grave disadvantage with murder and armed robbery statistics higher than any other time in the country.
But the FNM shot back yesterday saying it is unfortunate that Roberts should continuously seek to politicize the Royal Bahamas Police Force and, in particular, the outgoing commissioner. The FNM said Roberts, while commenting on Greenslade's appointment, was unable to resist once again "making nasty personal attacks" on Ferguson.
Responding to the FNM's statement, Roberts said the party is "totally wrong" in its suggestion that he holds personal animosity toward Ferguson.
"The allegation of rape made against me was after all, unequivocally and unconditionally withdrawn by the virtual complainant," he noted.
"I do not for one moment believe that it was my statement on the appointment of Greenslade which caused the ire of Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and (FNM Chairman) Carl Bethel," Roberts said.
"Rather, it was what I brought to the attention of the Bahamian public regarding a serious matter which was dealt with by a Senior Justice of the Supreme Court which involved Commissioner Ferguson. I am being so viciously attacked because of this matter of national interest which I revealed at a meeting of the PLP Fox Hill Branch..."
Roberts was referring to a ruling handed down months ago that was critical of the commissioner of police.
The Nassau Guardian reported recently that the Office of the Attorney General withdrew its appeal of Senior Supreme Court Justice Jon Isaacs' decision to stay the prosecution of two men accused of a murder that occurred almost 10 years ago.
Police arrested Shawn Saunders and Warren "Spy" Ellis last year and charged them with the murder of Timothy Jansen Henfield — who was killed in a drive-by shooting in 2000 — and conspiring to murder his older brother Marvin Henfield.
The prosecution's decision not to proceed with the appeal is significant as Prime Minister Ingraham had repeatedly said in Parliament that Isaacs' landmark ruling of May 27 would be challenged. Justice Isaacs said the evidence in the case had been "tainted by police misconduct."
Proposed prosecution witness Lorraine Major swore an affidavit alleging that police had pressured and tricked her into giving a statement that implicated both men in the murder. She alleged that Police Commissioner Ferguson (who at the time was acting commissioner) and an ASP Fernander had obtained her statement through coercion.
Roberts claimed that if this ruling had been made against a junior officer he would have been disciplined in accordance with Force Orders.
"COP Ferguson should be treated the same way as every other officer would have been treated; i.e. he should be suspended, interdicted, disciplined and the matter investigated," he said at the Fox Hill meeting. "COP Ferguson should go now without further delay."
Quoting what he said at the meeting, Roberts said the PLP was investigating the filing of a constitutional motion to put the commissioner of police on leave in accordance with Force Orders.
"I wish to make it clear that at no time did I personally attack retired Commissioner Ferguson, outside the realm of his office," the PLP chairman said in his statement yesterday.
"At no time for that matter can it be said that I have gone on a personal attack of the personal character of any politician or high-ranking member of society from the seat of the PLP chairmanship. I have been fierce on issues, fierce yes, on inefficiencies in the performance of duties. And I shall continue to, in a relentless fashion, expose these deficiencies and or corruption wherever they may be hiding, as it relates to the governance of our country.
"But the Bahamian public has my assurance that I will never sink to the level of gutter politics as has been espoused by this communications unit of the Free National Movement."
Roberts informed that his attorneys have advised that a portion of the FNM's statement is clearly libelous and as such his legal team is exploring the option of legal recourse.
December 08, 2009
thenassauguardian
The Free National Movement (FNM) yesterday accused Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts of launching a personal attack on outgoing Commissioner of Police Reginald Ferguson because of a decision by the police force to probe a rape allegation against the former minister several years ago.
"It appears that Bradley Roberts' personal vendetta against Commissioner of Police Reginald Ferguson is related to the decision of the Royal Bahamas Police Force to properly investigate and to forward to the Office of the Attorney General the corroborated criminal complaint of having been raped made against then Cabinet Minister Bradley Roberts by a businesswoman," the FNM said in its statement.
The FNM statement was sent a day after Roberts released a statement in response to an announcement from the Cabinet Office that Ellison Greenslade has been appointed acting commissioner of police as Ferguson is on pre-retirement leave.
In his statement on Sunday, Roberts said the PLP remains disappointed over the initial "political" appointment of Ferguson.
"This was a human example of the FNM's policy of 'stop, cancel and review', in what would have been the most appropriate appointment of Mr. Greenslade," Roberts opined.
"This decision, we feel, contributed to the disintegration of trust on the Royal Bahamas Police Force as well as very regressive crime fighting strategies during one of the most socially chaotic periods in the history of our country."
The PLP chairman said Greenslade is therefore forced to begin his new post at a grave disadvantage with murder and armed robbery statistics higher than any other time in the country.
But the FNM shot back yesterday saying it is unfortunate that Roberts should continuously seek to politicize the Royal Bahamas Police Force and, in particular, the outgoing commissioner. The FNM said Roberts, while commenting on Greenslade's appointment, was unable to resist once again "making nasty personal attacks" on Ferguson.
Responding to the FNM's statement, Roberts said the party is "totally wrong" in its suggestion that he holds personal animosity toward Ferguson.
"The allegation of rape made against me was after all, unequivocally and unconditionally withdrawn by the virtual complainant," he noted.
"I do not for one moment believe that it was my statement on the appointment of Greenslade which caused the ire of Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and (FNM Chairman) Carl Bethel," Roberts said.
"Rather, it was what I brought to the attention of the Bahamian public regarding a serious matter which was dealt with by a Senior Justice of the Supreme Court which involved Commissioner Ferguson. I am being so viciously attacked because of this matter of national interest which I revealed at a meeting of the PLP Fox Hill Branch..."
Roberts was referring to a ruling handed down months ago that was critical of the commissioner of police.
The Nassau Guardian reported recently that the Office of the Attorney General withdrew its appeal of Senior Supreme Court Justice Jon Isaacs' decision to stay the prosecution of two men accused of a murder that occurred almost 10 years ago.
Police arrested Shawn Saunders and Warren "Spy" Ellis last year and charged them with the murder of Timothy Jansen Henfield — who was killed in a drive-by shooting in 2000 — and conspiring to murder his older brother Marvin Henfield.
The prosecution's decision not to proceed with the appeal is significant as Prime Minister Ingraham had repeatedly said in Parliament that Isaacs' landmark ruling of May 27 would be challenged. Justice Isaacs said the evidence in the case had been "tainted by police misconduct."
Proposed prosecution witness Lorraine Major swore an affidavit alleging that police had pressured and tricked her into giving a statement that implicated both men in the murder. She alleged that Police Commissioner Ferguson (who at the time was acting commissioner) and an ASP Fernander had obtained her statement through coercion.
Roberts claimed that if this ruling had been made against a junior officer he would have been disciplined in accordance with Force Orders.
"COP Ferguson should be treated the same way as every other officer would have been treated; i.e. he should be suspended, interdicted, disciplined and the matter investigated," he said at the Fox Hill meeting. "COP Ferguson should go now without further delay."
Quoting what he said at the meeting, Roberts said the PLP was investigating the filing of a constitutional motion to put the commissioner of police on leave in accordance with Force Orders.
"I wish to make it clear that at no time did I personally attack retired Commissioner Ferguson, outside the realm of his office," the PLP chairman said in his statement yesterday.
"At no time for that matter can it be said that I have gone on a personal attack of the personal character of any politician or high-ranking member of society from the seat of the PLP chairmanship. I have been fierce on issues, fierce yes, on inefficiencies in the performance of duties. And I shall continue to, in a relentless fashion, expose these deficiencies and or corruption wherever they may be hiding, as it relates to the governance of our country.
"But the Bahamian public has my assurance that I will never sink to the level of gutter politics as has been espoused by this communications unit of the Free National Movement."
Roberts informed that his attorneys have advised that a portion of the FNM's statement is clearly libelous and as such his legal team is exploring the option of legal recourse.
December 08, 2009
thenassauguardian
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