A report to the government is expected to document a significant increase in the formation of New Providence gangs with offshoots extending into Family Island communities.
The report by Youth Against Violence president Carlos Reid will list the names of the 54 gangs he claims exist in The Bahamas, along with the number of members, the area of their headquarters, their identifying characteristics, and the schools affected.
Mr. Reid, himself “a reformed gang member,” estimates that at least 10,000 Bahamian youths, including girls, are involved in “anti-social behaviour.”
When The Guardian contacted police liaison officer, Hulan Hanna, he said that the police have no listings of any gangs in The Bahamas, let alone 54.
“From time to time, there are groupings of young men who congregate to create mischief amongst themselves, or move about the streets disturbing others. But, we have noticed that in recent times there has been a decrease in this behaviour, and their acts have been kept under control as a result of the various policing units,” he said.
However, according to Mr Reid, “We have been working with the young people to try and get a handle on the gang, violence and crime situation in The Bahamas. Over the years there has been the consensus that we don’t have a gang problem; now I believe any blind man can see we are in an epidemic as far as gangs and violence are concerned.”
He said that when the report is presented to Prime Minister Perry Christie, he will advocate that the government give permission to the organisation to use the old City Market building on Market Street, as a hope centre, where gang members can seek counselling.
“We want to create an institute where these young men can come out of that type of environment, and can get the kind of information they need to shape their thinking and thought process,” he said.
It would be of no help if these members are willing to change their lives, but have to return to the same environment, said Mr Reid.
On a recent trip to Eleuthera, he said, he and 15 other persons warned students from various schools about the dangers of joining gangs.
Youth Against Violence has also planned today as a national T-shirt Day.
“We want to send a message out that enough is enough. We are tired of just talking about it. It is time for us to come together and do something about it,” Mr. Reid said.
Over the years, Youth Against Violence has sponsored a number of events, including the Nelson Cooper Peace Basketball Classic, conflict resolution seminars; and infomercials on television, radio and in theatres.
A “gang specialist” certified by the National Gang and Crime Research Centre of the United States, Mr. Reid expressed his support of a national service announced this week by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Cynthia Pratt.
The idea could be applied “straight across the board,” he said.
According to Mrs. Pratt, the government plans to introduce some form of national service this year, enlisting “young black males that are unemployed and are in some instances, unemployable,” as described by late, former Prime Minister Sir Lynden Pindling.
DPM Pratt said the young men should be taken out of the community and placed in a campus-style setting to be “trained and molded” for a year to 18 months. They could return to society when their behaviour improves, she said.
Mr. Reid, who is also executive director of Operation Redemption, has pledged his and his organisation’s support to do whatever it takes to reverse this “serious” situation.
By Keva Lightbourne, The Nassau Guardian
