NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC – The main opposition, Free National Movement (FNM), has dismissed as a “glossy brochure” the government’s plans for reducing crime in The Bahamas.
“In all, given the severity of the problem being faced in the country, a glossy brochure as the basis of the way forward confirms that this is more about PR than governance,” said FNM chairman Dr Duane Sands.
The government said on Tuesday that it would increase pay and benefits to legal officers to attract and retain top talent and hire more prosecutors to manage the demands of the justice system, among the strategies it intends to implement to reduce crime.
During a national broadcast on Sunday night, Prime Minister Phillip Davis said the frontline response to the present crisis is to bring forward a strategy already in the advanced planning stages.
“ Our approach lies in three stages: ‘Clear, Hold and Build.’ We’re going on the offensive,” Davis said, noting that, put, the first phase is to “clear out the gangs from our neighborhoods” and that the police, armed with new resources and resolve, will strike hard against these gangs..”
“We are going to introduce the toughest Anti-Gang Legislation ever. If you are associated with a gang, we are coming after you. If you have a lot of shiny things and no way to explain your wealth, we will seize what you have.
“But let’s be clear: this is not just about more police on the streets; it’s about smarter, strategic policing. We are targeting the hotspots, dismantling the networks, and choking off the lifelines of these criminal organizations. Our message to the gangs is unequivocal: you will find no haven in The Bahamas,” Prime Minister Davis added.
But Sands dismissed the crime plan that includes a five-pillar strategy of prevention, policing, prosecution, punishment, and rehabilitation, saying the plan seemed like an expansion of its Blueprint for Change pre-election manifesto.
“We are in crisis. This document is not comprehensive. It is not fleshed out. It was a hastily crafted media piece to make good on the promise during the PM’s lackluster address. And it is not worth the glossy paper that it is printed on.”
Earlier, Opposition Leader Michael Pintard said the address by Prime Minister Davis was a “carefully scripted public relations speech.
“Residents got little comfort or hope this administration would take swift and comprehensive action to lead other stakeholders in the urgent battle to win back our streets, homes, and communities from the fear and flow of violent crimes,” he said.
and then , has dismissed as a “glossy brochure” the government’s plans for reducing crime){kind=link}