Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade has promised a sweeping crackdown on minor offenders in addition to committing more resources to prevent and prosecute serious crimes, according to his 2012 policing plan, which was made public on the force's website.  Greenslade has promised that the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) will target drug houses and the habitats of drug traffickers and peddlers.

"The full sanctions of the law will be applied against these nefarious activities," said Greenslade.
The commissioner said the force will also target prolific car thieves and disrupt their activities at suspected and known "chop shops".  The crackdown will also extend to those who play loud music, as well as those who sell alcohol to minors.  Greenslade also promised to encourage restrictions on the granting of licenses for music and dancing in public places, particularly in neighborhoods.

"Applicants will be encouraged to host their events at properly regulated indoor venues such as hotels,  convention centers, and selected national venues," said Greenslade.  He also promised to refuse permits to promoters of outdoor concerts "who indiscriminately create distress to communities and fuel social strife".  Motorists operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol and illicit drugs will also be targeted this year, the commissioner promised.

The force will also crack down on people who have cars with tinted windshields and tinted side windows, Greenslade said.  "This infraction has serious adverse implications for law enforcement and allows criminals to move about without being detected by law enforcement officers and the general public," noted the commissioner, who said police will also focus on motorists who defy the traffic light signals and run red lights with "perceived impunity".

He also promised that the force will crack down on underage drivers who operate vehicles without a learner's permit, and prosecute vehicle owners who permit this type of infraction.
The force will also target people driving over the speed limit and, "operators of heavy vehicles who travel with insecure loads and who cause damage to public property".  The force also plans to reduce the high number of traffic fatalities by "prevention advice, the targeting of speeders, focusing on people who drink and drive, and the interdiction of persons who do not fasten their seat belts while in a moving vehicle".

At least 276 people have been killed in traffic fatalities over the past six years, according to police statistics.  For those who have been targeted by criminals, the force plans to establish a distinct victim support unit (VSU) at each divisional police station on New Providence and Grand Bahama.  "These units will be responsible for following up with victims of crime and will provide then (victims and witnesses) updates at various stages of the investigations," the plan pointed out.

The commissioner also said the RBPF will facilitate counseling and support for children whose parents, guardians, and relatives are arrested and incarcerated for the commission of a crime.
The force will also launch a cybercrime investigations unit (CIU) at the Central Detective Unit (CDU) to focus exclusively on computer, Internet and other forms of hi-tech crimes.

By Greenslade's own admission, the 2012 plan also echoed many of the promises put forward in last year's plan, such as increasing mobile patrols, the number of officers on the force, the number of detectives in specialized units and a refocus on crime hot spots in New Providence, Grand Bahama, and the Family Islands.

Greenslade also sent a familiar message to criminals.  "I again ask all persons that are involved in the unlawful possession of firearms, vehicular thefts, stabbings, armed robberies, breakings, drug peddling and all other acts of criminality to cease and desist," he warned. "To parents, family members, and acquaintances of persons involved in the underworld of crime; do all in your power to encourage these individuals to make an about turn and join all law-abiding citizens in building a better Bahamas, where we can all live without the occurrence of crime and the fear of crime."

Greenslade is expected to give an in-depth presentation of the 2012 policing plan today.

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