In a move to combat rising crime rates in The Bahamas, the government unveiled a strategy on Tuesday. However, the Free National Movement, the main opposition party, dismissed the plan as a “glossy brochure.”
Investing in legal talent and prosecutors
As part of their approach, the government announced intentions to bolster the legal sector.
This strategy involves increasing pay and benefits for legal officers, a move designed to attract and retain top talent within the field.
Additionally, plans are in place to hire more prosecutors to address the burgeoning demands of the justice system.
Reports are that Free National Movement chairman Dr Duane Sands dismissed the administration’s much-touted crime plan, as a “glossy brochure” containing vague details and recycled information.
“While a slick and glossy product with beautiful graphics, it was short on granular details,” Dr Sands said. “In all, given the severity of the problem being faced in the country, a glossy brochure as the basis of the way forward confirms that this is more about PR than governance.”
Dr Sands also expressed his belief that the government’s crime plan resembled an extension of its pre-election manifesto, the Blueprint for Change.
“We are in crisis,” he said. “This document is not comprehensive. It is not fleshed out. It was a hastily crafted media piece to make good on the promise made during the PM’s lacklustre address. And it is not worth the glossy paper that it is printed on.”
According to reports, many elements of the plan echo prior announcements made by Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and have also been highlighted by various national security officials.
Prime Minister Davis emphasizes urgency
Prime Minister Phillip Davis underscored the urgency of the situation, asserting that the frontline response to the current crisis requires a strategy that is already in advanced stages of planning.
