FNM deputy says govt not doing enough to fight crime

Tue, Dec 16th 2014, 11:29 AM

Although Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade insists that there is no need to panic, Free National Movement Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest said unarmed civilians are likely living in fear.
Turnquest said he is "distressed" by the recent spate of murders and charged that the government has failed to address the problem.
Following the shooting death of a police sergeant, Greenslade acknowledged that the police force is challenged in dealing with homicides.
He noted, "There is no reason for any police to panic or for the police to panic you" as most of the perpetrators are repeat offenders.
Pointing to those comments, Turnquest said, "For those of us who don't carry a gun, we are indeed concerned and it doesn't matter to us whether it's a repeat offender or if it's a new criminal. To us, we are still concerned."
Turnquest added, "When you think about these kinds of killings, it really distresses you. As a society it says that we are undisciplined and we are losing our values.
"We regret the number of serious incidents of crime that have happened over the last year... The government indicated that it was going back to the drawing board...but we still have these unabated instances of murder, but even more so we have assaults and harm that we don't pay too much attention to."
Turnquest said the government seems unable to sustain any program geared toward combating crime.
"Obviously the government is failing in this area despite their pledge to have all of the answers during the 2012 election," he said.
"What happened to all of the proposals and strategies that they had in their Charter for Governance? Some of their programs held promise, if they were implemented.
"What happened to the much talked about violence breakers?"
In the run-up to the election, Prime Minister Perry Christie (then opposition leader) promised to introduce a new team of highly specialized outreach workers called violence breakers.
He said they would be recruited for their street smarts, their deep roots in tough neighborhoods and for their ability to build relationships with those with the highest risk of shooting or being shot.
Turnquest said if properly implemented that program could breed positive results.
The murder count hit 116 over the weekend following the death of an 18-year-old man who was shot multiple times as he left his brother's funeral.
There are increasing concerns that the 2014 murder count will eclipse last year's count of 119.
On at least three occasions since coming to office, the government has outlined initiatives to fight crime.
In October, Christie said the government will go back to the drawing board with its crime strategies in the face of soaring murders.
Shortly after, National Security Minister Dr. Bernard Nottage announced that the government had developed several new strategies it hopes will bear "positive results".
However, neither the prime minister nor Nottage has unveiled these new strategies. Last week, Nottage told The Nassau Guardian details will come soon.
Meanwhile, Greenslade said he believes the police are doing a good job.
However, he said more must be done to keep criminals behind bars.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

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