....no license should be given to anyone who wants to trade cash for gold ...cash for silver or cash for copper ...or cash for any other precious metal... ...Cash for gold operations encompass avenues for disposing of stolen jewelry ...and the government must revoke all such ‘licenses’

Gold, Cash and Human Bloodshed


The Bahama Journal Editorial



We believe that no license should be given to anyone who wants to trade cash for gold; cash for silver or cash for copper; or cash for any other precious metal.

All such sales should be banned. There are times in life when those who would rip others off do their thing in plain sight of the Law. Today we have a situation on our collective hands where people in the community do most assuredly believe that thugs out there are ripping people off; stealing jewelry and other valuables from them – and who sell this stolen stuff to hard men and women who ask no questions; proffer a fistful of dollars; disappear the chain or ring in question – and laugh as they traipse their way to the bank of their choice. And so it goes, Cash for both Gold and human blood-shed! This is devilishly wrong.

Today we recite the fact which tells us that new information coming in confirms Ernest Hepburn is this blighted land’s eighty-first murder victim for this quite bloody year. That same new information suggests that this sixty one year old man was shot dead by two thugs interested in taking possession of the gold chain he wore around his neck.

Even now, there is wide-spread speculation concerning a possible connection between the chain theft, the gun-fire and this man’s death. A team of officers from the South Central (Grove) Division executed a number of search warrants between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. last Thursday and retrieved an assortment of chains, bracelets and even gold and silver dinnerware like spoons and forks.

According to Mr. Wilson, many victims of theft reported that they were in the Coconut Grove and Robinson Road areas when they were confronted by teens who snatched their items and fled to the Florida Court and Key West Street areas. “What we expect from operators of Cash-for-Gold is just due process,” he said. “If someone comes to you with a chain or something that has popped, we expect common sense to kick in. If the chain is worth about $3,000 and they will accept just $300 for it, please let your common sense prevail and assist.” He is now inviting anyone who has had items stolen items to visit the Grove Station to identify and claim the items. “Please bring proof or [let us know] if you are able to confirm any special markings on your stolen items,” he added. “Let me make it abundantly clear, one will only be allowed viewing if you made a complaint with a police station or department and your data is lodged within our computer records.”

According to Superintendent Wilson, these Cash-for-Gold businesses are also popping up at residential homes that operate by appointment only and offer private one-on-one sessions. We surely believe that there is just such a bloody connection between these cash-for-gold business and some of the thefts that routinely take place on our streets; from some of the houses where some of these thieves work – and especially those grab and heist jobs done by feral Black unemployed youth. And there are all those other men and women who can and do make less than ten cents per pound for other so-called scrap metal. What makes this kind of stuff so very interesting is the extent to which some of these criminals are allowed to get away with any number of crimes against the person and against property. Of course, there are also occasions when the police do rouse themselves and do get on with doing work that matters. As we recently reported,

“…A recent crackdown of six ‘Cash-for-Gold’ establishments in the Englerston area has uncovered thousands of dollars in stolen gold and silver jewelry…” We can also report that, “…Officer-in-Charge of the South Central (Grove) Division Superintendent Philip Don Wilson said some of the operators melt down the gold items within the hour of purchasing them so that police cannot see them…” Mr. Wilson also said police would have an easier time detecting and arresting perpetrators if the owners of these establishments would assist the authorities. All of this aside, we agree with Paul Thompson – former senior man on the Royal Bahamas Police Force – when he concludes that, the cash for gold operations encompass avenues for disposing of stolen jewelry and that the government must revoke all such ‘licenses’. This trade – as Thompson also suggests – encourages criminal activity, e.g. burglaries, housebreakings, armed robberies and stealing from the person. Decent, law-abiding citizens – inclusive of our law-makers- should have no part in this destruction.

30 August, 2012

The Bahama Journal Editorial

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