A press statement was released yesterday by the Member of Parliament for St. Anne’s, Hubert Chipman and the Member of Parliament for Montagu, Richard Lightbourn on two of the latest murders in the country.

With the murder of 44-year-old Andre Cartwright during an early morning home invasion on Tuesday of this week and the murder of a 38-year-old man in the Fox Hill area just Tuesday night, both MP’s said they are alarmed by the level of criminal violence in these areas, especially as we approach the holiday seasons.

Both Chipman and Lightbourn are awaiting details of the murder in Fox Hill but extended condolences to the family of Mr. Andre Cartwright and said that the actions that lead to his death which was Mr. Cartwright protecting his family was indeed ‘heroic’.

In response to the statement made by Minister of National Security, Bernard J. Nottage, ‘home invasions are not new’, both MP’s agreed that it was a ‘particularly insensitive response in light of the grief and pain of Mr. Cartwright’s family and friends, also in light of the fear that his murder has raised throughout New Providence, and particularly in Blair and the surrounding neighbourhoods’.

The ministers said that the Minister of National Security responded to the situation in a seemingly dismissive fashion and as worrying as home invasions are it is even more troubling knowing that there is the possibility of being killed while protecting one’s home and loved ones.

The ministers urged Minister Nottage to do all that is in his power to address the incidents of robberies in homes, businesses and elsewhere and to be more sensitive in the light of such tragedies.
The MP’s ended saying “Despite having promised to significantly reduce violent crime, the scourge of crime continues under a government which has offered more talk than action’’.