After the murder count hit 104 yesterday morning with the discovery of the body of a missing boy, Bahamas Christian Council president Dr. Ranford Patterson declared that the country is facing a "national crisis" and called for stronger legislative action to fight crime.
"While the home, church, school and community at large must give would-be criminals no comfort, it is Parliament that must institutionalize the laws so that a higher regard for human life would be embraced by all," the statement from Patterson said.
"One hundred and four murders constitute a national crisis and [are too many] for our national conscience. We are late in seeking concrete ways to answer this crime wave."
The 104th murder victim was identified as 11-year-old Marco Archer, whose body was found in bushes near an apartment at Yorkshire Drive in Cable Beach.
Marco was reported missing by his family on Friday.
"We are also disheartened that pregnant women and little children are increasingly becoming targets of criminals known to the police and who have been to our courts several times," the statement continued.
Two pregnant women were killed this year.
"A new resolve by all branches of government and a fresh commitment by all Bahamians to not participate in criminal behavior in any form is needed to lift us out of this quagmire," Patterson said.  "Further, let us return to those principles which made our parents strong to the benefit of our land and the glory of Almighty God.
"We therefore ask Prime Minister Hubert A. Ingraham to urgently give consideration to some measure of the law that would cause the criminals to think before they act."
Last year this time the murder count was 71.  This means that the murder count has increased by nearly 50 percent over this time last year.
Over the past several months, crime has been one of the most discussed topics.
National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest has been harshly criticized over the crime issue.
The Christian Council is encouraging politicians not to use the murders as a political football "since we have been besieged by this crime culture under successive governments".
"It is wrong to blame any minister in government for crime, but all Bahamians bear some degree of culpability for where we are," Patterson said.
As part of its response to crime, the government intends to introduce three bills to Parliament on October 5 -- a bill for a new Bail Act and bills to update the Criminal Procedure Code and the Penal Code.
The new Bail Act would restrict the circumstances under which persons accused of committing serious crimes get bail.
Prime Minister Ingraham said he will address the nation on the issue of crime on Monday.

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