The spate of crime in general and violent crime in particular in our country has been driven to a point where some of us have come to accept this ill as normality. As we see and hear about our fellow Bahamians being killed as trees being felled from one week to another, there is an increasing likelihood that our people are becoming numb to the phenomenon.
As people who have their naval strings buried all across our archipelago of islands and for those who have made The Bahamas their home, our love for this country must overcome the fear of crime that is gripping our nation by the day. The objective of this writing is not to highlight the obvious, exaggerate the seriousness of this menace or downplay the implications for our society, rather it is a clarion call for camaraderie and a return to the old landmarks to combat an evil that threatens our freedom and future.
Politics and the debate on crime
There is no doubt that the government has the ultimate responsibility for national security and for addressing any threat to the peace and tranquillity that the citizenry expects. Over the years, crime has become a football for politicians seeking election or re-election across the globe with promises of solutions that have not been tested and that may or may not work. In some cases, politicos have used the tragedy of families to secure victory at the polls while using the number of precious human lives lost in election campaigns.
In the case of The Bahamas, we have seen political parties engage in similar practices knowing full well that crime knows no colors, religion, social background, race, gender or political affiliation. Political leaders have been known to postulate remedies which are sometimes unrealistic and by no means a panacea for the scourge of crime in our commonwealth. They point in all directions but theirs and while they insist that they are not politicizing crime, their comments wrap them up in a lie as they seek political brownie points. This must stop in the interest of our beloved country and utterances that do not include solutions should be discouraged. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, politicians and other stakeholders should "speak only if it improves upon the silence".
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
The statistics show that the majority of the violent crimes being committed in our country are being carried out by young adults. This has led many to suggest that the perpetrators of crime in this group have less regard for human life than their predecessors and infer that they got to this point on their own. A consistent description of the attitude of young people engaging in this destructive behavior has been a lack of respect.
This writer submits that they have had and continue to have a lot of help from the generations that raised them. They have been groomed in a culture that does not promote leading by example; a society whose mantra is "do as I say but not as I do". They have watched the constant contradiction between the words of their forerunners and what these persons have done.
The confusion created by this paradox is further complicated by the difference in standards they are held to and that which measures the promulgators of the standard. While their actions can never be justified and should be punished, it is important to understand the origin of their misbehavior if we are to stem this problem. Respect for life, other people's belongings, privacy and country flows from a foundation of discipline and self-control, which are only effectively taught by one's actions. This is indeed a lesson for this generation; we must respect ourselves and have mutual respect for one another regardless of age or gender. Regard for laws, regulations and authority flows from an upbringing that teaches and demonstrates genuine respect.
Collaboration in a vital fight
It is interesting and sometimes disappointing to listen to the members of various arms of government, civic society and other stakeholders throw one another under the proverbial bus when it comes to the issue of crime. Rather than coming around the table to offer suggestions and workable solutions away from the public, the practice has been one that has promoted public relations and easy publicity, thereby creating more hysteria and fear among the populace.
We salute our sons and daughters of the armed forces that sacrifice so much and risk their lives daily to protect us and ensure that we maintain our liberty. The role of the judiciary in the fight against crime is an important one that ensures that not only is the rule of law upheld, but innocent individuals do not lose their freedom and the law is correctly interpreted. The lawmakers must remain sensitive to the plight of the people and pass laws that promote the interest of the majority. Nevertheless, the executive, legislature, judiciary in collaboration with the armed forces must all work together using trends and data available to them to develop appropriate responses to the crime problem.
A community effort
The Royal Bahamas Police Force relies on the help of the public to solve crimes and apprehend criminals on a daily basis. This is because criminal activities cannot flourish in a society in which the people's loyalty is to our beloved country and there is no hiding place for persons that commit crime. While it has become common for us to emphasize the importance of tips from the public, the crime figures show that certain individuals are still fulfilling their civic duty in the fight against crime.
Until we all genuinely abhor crime and become intolerant of the damage it is doing to our way of life, the miscreants in our midst will continue to have a safe harbor within our communities. After all, the offenders have immediate and nuclear families, accommodation and acquaintances that are either aware of their lifestyles or have suspicions in this regard. The question is: when are we going to draw the line, put our plates down and refuse to tolerate this any longer? Do we care about The Bahamas enough to turn in our sons, daughters, cousins, nieces and nephews that live a life of crime? Is the future of our country important enough to us to make us take a stand against purchasing stolen items? We must choose this day where our allegiance lies; to country or self?
Overcoming the challenge
We all know that crime is the end product of a number of actions or inactions by individuals within a society and so the solution cannot rest solely with law enforcement professionals. We must rededicate ourselves to promoting discipline in the home and our communities. Anti-social behavior should not be overlooked or condoned and must be given the utmost attention by parents, guardians, teachers and law enforcement agencies.
The government should work with civic organizations and the private sector to provide greater access to education by our people. Corruption and the abuse of power should not only be frowned upon but also seen to be outlawed to send the right message to the next generation.
The correlation between unemployment and the level of criminal activity is well documented, albeit there are a few among us that do not appreciate the dignity of labor. The government must continue to create an environment that fosters economic growth and the success of businesses and entrepreneurship to create employment for our people. The famous quote that an idle mind is the devil's workshop is instructive in this regard.
Finally, the laws on our books should be enforced without prejudice or favoritism. We must ensure that The Bahamas is not seen as an Animal Farm in which some animals are more equal than others; we are all God's children and must be treated fairly and equally before the law. If we are really serious and truly committed to overcoming the crime challenge, we should start by doing our part rather than wait on our neighbor or the government. In spite of the sorrow and despair emanating from the harm and bloodshed on our streets, we must not forget that we are a resilient people - we are Bahamians and we are more than able to win the war on crime.
o Arinthia S. Komolafe is an attorney-at-law. Comments on this article can be directed to a.s.komolafe510@gmail.com.
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