Those who commit violent acts will pay the price, Minister of National Security Cynthia “Mother” Pratt says.
“We can be confident that those who commit violent acts will be made to face the consequences of their deeds. We can also be sure that the police will take measures to reduce the violence. You can appreciate that for security reasons, I cannot now say what those measures will be, but I can assure you that they will be consistent, with what is necessary to bring peace to our neighbourhoods and to our streets,” Minister Pratt said.
She was addressing the recent spate of murders, during a press conference in her office on the third-floor of the Churchill Building,
There have been six homicides this year, five men and a child.
In an impassioned plea, Minister Pratt called for an end to senseless killings.
“My brothers and sisters did this deed cause us to look at ourselves and to ask ‘What have we become?’ Are we a people who are so consumed by anger that we are prepared to destroy our children in our search for vengeance?”
She said she knows her duty to guard and protect the nation against those who choose to commit crimes and disturb the country’s peace and tranquility.
“We were shocked and outraged, when a 12-year-old child’s life was snuffed out by a senseless act of violence in Fox Hill,” she said.
Minister Pratt said the beauty of the islands and hospitality Bahamians are known for worldwide are sharply contradicted by the violence and death.
“And so my brothers and sisters, I plead and beg you, please stop the violence, stop the killings; there is nothing in this world that is more precious than life; our own and that of our neighbours.”
She said for years Bahamians have settled differences without the use of guns. “We do not need these, please, put away the guns! Stop the violence,” she said.
By Sean Inniss, The Nassau Guardian
