Assistant Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade on Tuesday expressed concerns over the high number of murders committed in the northern Bahamas last year and he pointed out that young men were largely responsible for these crimes.
Addressing a weekly Rotary Club meeting, Mr. Greenslade said the murder rate was “unprecedented”.
“During 2005, far too many of our young males and adults died as a result of the injuries sustained from illegal guns in the hands of friends and associates,” he said, adding that 14 of the 18 murders that took place in the northern Bahamas were committed in Grand Bahama and the majority of the victims were adult Bahamian males, all relatively young people.
In 2004, 10 murders were committed in Grand Bahama.
Mr. Greenslade said the majority of the murders were drug-related.
The assistant commissioner also expressed concerns over the number of armed robberies, indicating that these crimes also presented a challenge for police in 2005 with many of the criminals being repeat offenders.
“In November 2005, we arrested an adult male of Grand Bahama who was charged with six separate counts of armed robberies committed in the span of three weeks,” Mr. Greenslade said.
He added that another man was also charged with four counts of armed robbery committed in a short period of time.
In 2004, police reported that there were 47 armed robberies. Eight-two were reported in 2005.
Despite the challenges, Mr. Greenslade said law enforcement officers have relentlessly pursued the offenders with “great successes” due in large measure to support received from the public.
Mr. Greenslade said the police will continue to place great focus on addressing the trafficking of illegal weapons through the northern Bahamas. He said weapons were already seized in the initial weeks of 2006.
“Six high-powered handguns were recovered in Grand Bahama right within the city limits,” he said. “One person pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years in imprisonment. All the others were given bail and are back on our streets to again commit crimes; very, very distressing.”
Mr. Greenslade also reported that marijuana seizures in 2005 were up 59 percent over 2004.
Another source of concern, he said, was the carnage on the streets of Grand Bahama, pointing to “irresponsible behaviour and a lack of personal accountability” on the part of many drivers.
Mr. Greenslade said in addition to the large number of persons who have succumbed to injuries due to traffic crashes, there are many others suffering debilitating injuries due to reckless driving.
He told Rotarians that the volume of “acquisitive crimes” such as shop and house breaking were also a challenge during 2005.
Recognizing the support of the community, Mr. Greenslade encouraged Rotarians to become advocates for positive change and he asked them to embrace the concept of active citizenship.
“The concept of active citizenship requires each of you to take responsibility for yourselves and to account for your actions,” he said.
“Consider the work we must do to stem the flow of illegal guns and illicit drugs in our communities right here in the northern Bahamas. Consider the interventions we must make to save our children, and our relatives from various forms of destructive vices.”
The assistant commissioner added, “You must seriously consider your role as advocates for positive social changes, legislative changes, and national policy changes.”
By: Daphne McIntosh, The Bahama Journal
