The murder rate in the Bamahas is at an all-time high.
Every time crime takes over the headlines, the government and the police go into damage-control mode to make it look as if they are really dealing with the problem. As soon as the media focus shifts to something else, the bold initiatives against crime are abandoned.
And crime continues to increase.
Days after both daily newspapers carried headlines about a new murder record, they are tripping over themselves publishing articles gushing about how the police and the politicians are competently dealing with crime.
But are they really?
Or, is it just another public relations exercise to appease the public?
“House-Breaking Rings Smashed,” screams a story in the Tribune.
“PM addresses crime concerns,” blasts a story in the Guardian.
“Christie pledges non-partisan approach on crime,” shrieks the Guardian.
“Police Launch Island-Wide Patrol,” cries the Tribune.
“PM: police to target ‘specific’ criminals,” bellows a Tribune headline.
“Anita Allen: Crime level unacceptable,” howls the Guardian.
All the politicians and the top cops are running around like chickens with their heads cut off trying to make you believe they are on the ball.
But if they were on the ball, we wouldn’t have the crime problem we do.
Wait two weeks, as Christmas approaches and Bahamians get their mind off crime for a minute, all of these same people will go back to their lackadaisical attitude towards criminals.
Maybe these folks can fool the tourists, make them think the Bahamas is safe, but they aren’t fooling Bahamians.
As long as politicians and the police remain focused on public relations, they are not focused on fighting crime.
