Success in the crime fight and community support

The alarming crime rate in The Bahamas in recent years is a source of concern for all respectable members of our society. Well-meaning Bahamians want police, prosecutors and the government of the day to be successful with their anti-crime measures.

We have had four murder records in five years, are on pace for another, and have also had to endure high levels of property crime. Honest people want relief from this state of affairs. Some of our communities have become so violent residents describe them as war zones.

When it comes to crime, there are no political sides. We should not root for a political party or administration to fail in the crime fight because we do not support them. We are as hopeful for the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) anti-crime measures as we were for those brought forward by the last Free National Movement (FNM) administration. If they succeed, we succeed.

The John Bull Group recently presented the law enforcement arm of Urban Renewal 2.0 with photographic equipment – one for each of the nine community sub-offices. John Bull in this act demonstrated this same community-minded approach.

During the presentation, John Bull President Fred Hazlewood said: "The community and John Bull are behind this program and, of course, any programs that hopefully make our country an enjoyable place to live. We wish you every success. Whatever it takes, let's get it on."

Hazlewood and his company are doing what more private citizens and businesses should do to assist law enforcement and the government. Yes, we pay our taxes for services, but our democratic responsibility as citizens does not just rest there.

The force budget is large but it is not enough to satisfy every police need. It took some time for the force to up the number of bulletproof vests for officers. It is still unclear if it has enough vests for all frontline officers.

The new administration also indicated during the recently concluded budget debate in the House of Assembly that though it is working to up the force complement of vehicles, based on the number of vehicles needed by police, they would have to be purchased over an 18-month period.

There is a need for citizens and the private sector to come forward and offer their time, talents and resources to the effort to reduce the crime rate, especially in New Providence. By helping law enforcement, we help to solve our collective problems of crime and violence in The Bahamas.

© 2012 The Freeport News