While the latest crime statistics reveal that the majority of last year’s murders occurred during the late night and early morning hours, Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade yesterday brushed off calls for the enforcement of a national curfew.

Mr. Greenslade released the annual year-end crime report, which among other things, shows that of the 119 murders that occurred in 2013, 55 of those slayings took place between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and midnight and 42 murders occurred between midnight and 8:00 a.m.

There have been renewed calls from the community for the imposition of a curfew.

But the commissioner suggested those calls may be slightly premature.
“I believe that Bahamians should be very proud that we live in country where we are free to go where we want to go,” he said.

“Our children who are decent…my children are decent and I speak for many, many, many parents who have worked hard to groom decent children and they should be allowed to enjoy The Bahamas in a democratic framework and we should never subscribe to being held hostage by a core group of people that we have the ability to deal with.”
Mr. Greenslade voiced his frustration over the number of suspects released on bail who commit crimes and he hinted that the country may need a reality check.

“We need to stop playing games with it –English is English,” the commissioner said. “A man has a name an he lives on an island 21 by seven. He is charged by the courts of law and the press carries it.

“Two months later the same name appears in your newspaper or on the television and it is the same man on the island 21 by seven. Why would that confuse the commissioner or anybody else? I think that is as plain as day.”
The commissioner also outlined his seven-point policing plan that he said will aid in efforts to further combat crime in the country.
The plan lists several areas as priorities including prevention and detection, reducing the fear of crime and restoring and maintaining public trust and confidence.