Crime and the fear of crime are on the rise in this country and with 100 murders on the books, scores of armed robberies and several home invasions recorded, it is safe to say that Bahamians are on edge and Democratic National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney said Thursday that he is one of them.
At a press conference yesterday Mr. McCartney again urged the government to tackle this vexing issue.
He said it is time for the government to relentlessly go after Bahamian and foreign criminals who are keen on wrecking havoc in the country
“We are sick with crime,” he said. “I don’t want to hear any foolishness from the government or the police talking about crime is down.
“I am scared in my own country when we have law abiding people trying to drive home at night but looking behind them because they don’t know if someone is in a car behind them trying to rob them. You don’t know if when you stop at the red light at night if someone is going to break in your window, you don’t know if when you go to your house someone is waiting at the gate, you don’t know if when you are sleeping at night if someone will break into your house and kill you.”
Mr. McCartney who himself has fallen victim this scourge of crime in recent times said his family is still reeling from two deaths and he said he is not buying reports from the government or the police that crime is down in the country.
“I know it and I feel it,” he added. “We have all felt in some form or fashion, the ravages of crime in this country. “Personally for me, a year ago my brother was shot down dead in the streets. Six months later, a cousin of mine was burned to death in her house. Let’s get this crime under control. Your kids are not safe, your parents are not safe as a result of crime in this country.”
Mr. McCartney’s younger brother Kurt was gunned down in the Gambier area on October 24, 2013.
Four people were charged with the crime.
Meantime, on Wednesday police officials released the photos, names and addresses of nine suspected murderers who are on the loose and roaming the streets.
