Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: Prime Minister launches National Neighborhood Watch Council
#Bahamas, May 02, 2018 – Nassau – In keeping with its 2017 Manifesto which calls for establishment of a National Neighborhood Watch Council, the Free National Movement Government unveiled a comprehensive plan to prevent and reduce the incidence of crime throughout the country.
Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon Hubert A. Minnis delivered the keynote address and officially launched the National Neighborhood Watch Council (NNWC) during a ceremony at Paul Farquharson Conference Centre at Police Headquarters on Monday, April 30, 2018. The initiative is spearheaded by the Ministry of National Security and Neighborhood Watch Bahamas, whose collective goal is to help Bahamians make their families and residential areas safer from crime.
“Tonight, with the overwhelming support of numerous stakeholders, we are now delivering on this promise. The safety and security of the citizens and residents of The Bahamas remains a top priority of my government,” the Prime Minister said before a wide cross-section of the community.
The initiative is also based on one of the principles of Sir Robert Peel, regarded as the ‘Father of Policing,’ who said, “the police are simply members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.”
The Prime Minister touted the NNWC “as an important aspect of our comprehensive plan to prevent and reduce crime.” He called on communities 
to play a more active and coordinated role in crime prevention in order for the nation to become even safer. Hence, the NNWC is a platform through which citizens and residents may be involved in devising and participating in activities that strengthen the security of their respective communities.
The Council, which is made up of neighborhood watch group leaders and civil society, is designed to provide evidence-based crime prevention support, and guidance, to existing neighborhood watch programmes. The Council will also facilitate the establishment, and strengthening of new neighborhood watch programmes throughout the country — including the inner city communities of New Providence.
“This programme will also bridge the gap between the police, and the community, in partnership, to address crime-related issues affecting neighborhoods,” the Prime Minister said. Each police division has a Liaison Officer who will provide logistical support to the various crime watch groups within that particular division.
The Council will formulate guidelines that will govern the management and operations of partnerships between the police and the community, explore the introduction of additional CCTVs and citizens patrols along with other crime prevention measures, partner with existing community youth groups, and encourage the establishment of initiatives geared toward at-risk youth, amongst other things.
The Prime Minister noted that the overall crime figures for the year are trending downward. This, due to the carefully thought-out and deliberate changes in the way law enforcement officials operates.
He also advised the individual crime watch associations not to take matters into their own hands. But, be vigilant and contact the police regarding any suspicious activity. “With proper organization and support from the public, the Council has the potential to become a powerful crime fighting tool, providing law enforcement officers with information, and intelligence that may help to prevent and detect crime,” the Prime Minister said.
By: Lindsay Thompson (BIS)
Photo Captions
Header: Prime Minister Minnis addresses launch of National Neighbourhood Watch Council (NNWC) on April 30, 2018 at Police Headquarters.
Insert: Launch at Police Headquarters on Monday – From left: Minister of National Security Marvin Dames, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis, Minister of Foreign Affairs Darren Henfield, Minister of State in the Ministry of Legal Affairs Elsworth Johnson, and Speaker of the House of Assembly Halson Moultrie.
(BIS Photos/Peter Ramsay)
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#TheBahamas#RoyalCaribbean, April 23, 2024- After being delayed following its announcement in 2020, Royal Caribbean’s new 17 acre Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas, is now in the works and is scheduled to be ready for 2025, according to reports. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Monday April 22, signifying the start of construction in the next few months. This project is huge for The Bahamas as it’s a first of kind for the nation, with a unique public private partnership allowing Bahamians to hold up to 49 percent in equity.
Nassau, THE BAHAMAS — Some of the most successful and accomplished professionals and business leaders in the country
recently shared their experiences and nuggets of wisdom with students at University of The Bahamas (UB) about thriving in a wide range of careers.
The University Centre for Counselling and Career Services and the Career and Job Placement Advisory Unit collaborated to host the 2024 Career Symposium which brought students face to face with leaders in the careers to which they aspire.
Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Maria Oriakhi, said the symposium was key to developing potential as university students strive to leave their mark on the world.
Ms. Rickell Curry
“In the spirit of collaboration and growth, let us engage in meaningful dialogue, cultivate relationships, and harness the power of collective wisdom to shape our futures,” said Dr. Oriakhi. “Together, let us embark on this journey of exploration and discovery, united in our commitment to realizing our fullest potential and making meaningful contributions to our communities and beyond.”
Promoting careers in psychology, Ms. Curry noted that psychologists are equipped with the ability to help others, troubleshoot areas of weakness within themselves, and become better people and professionals in the process.
“The floor is yours to be able to explore. There’s no job where you don’t have to deal with people, so learning, even if you get a bachelor’s in psychology, is a great grounding,” she said.
Dr. Darville, one of few interventional radiologists in The Bahamas, offered another nugget of advice on choosing an area of study.
Dr. Elizabeth Darville
“It is important to know enough about yourself in order to make the decisions you want to make,” said Dr. Darville. “You have to work on yourself first and know what you want to do. Radiology gives you a chance to have fun. It gives you a chance to mold your career closer to your personal life than other medical specialties might.”
Another growing field is project management which Mr. Hepburn called a life skill. He also urged a commitment to lifelong learning.
“Individuals that continue to learn become unstoppable, period,” said Mr. Hepburn. “It is so true. When you learn, you become unstoppable because nothing can stop you in your process of development.
Mr. Wellington Hepburn
“The more you know, the more valuable you are. We need individuals who are cross functional—that can operate in different capacities. So please understand that your learning should never stop.”
With small and medium-sized businesses helping to drive the economy at an incredible rate, Ms. Rolle affirmed the importance of entrepreneurship in any economy.
“When we talk about entrepreneurship, we usually look at it from a myopic standpoint,” she said. Ms. Rolle. “What do I mean by that? Small, but usually about self: ‘how do I make more money?’ And in some cases, some look at entrepreneurship as a way of survival. ‘I need to make a couple extra dollars, I have this bill to pay’. Those types of things.
Ms. Samantha Rolle
“But entrepreneurship really, in its truest form, is about innovation, whether it’s a new concept or any existing concept that you innovate new ways, or help expand the economy.”
The career symposium was held at the Harry C. Moore Library and Information Centre and is held every academic year.
PHOTO CAPTIONS
- Career Symposium 1: UB Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Maria Oriakhi, delivers the opening address at the 2024 Career Symposium.
- Career Symposium 2: Students and guest speakers enjoy a lighthearted moment during the 2024 Career Symposium.
- Career Symposium 3: Ms. Rickell Curry speaks to students during the 2024 Career Symposium.
- Career Symposium 4: Dr. Elizabeth Darville delivers remarks during the 2024 Career Symposium.
- Career Symposium 5: Mr. Wellington Hepburn educates students on the importance of project management during the 2024 Career Symposium.
- Career Symposium 6: Ms. Samantha Rolle talks about the role and importance of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship in any economy.
Office of University Relations
University of The Bahamas
2nd Floor, Michael H. Eldon Complex
Oakes Field Campus
P.O. Box N-4912
Nassau, The Bahamas
Tel: (242) 302-4355/4354/4365
-
News6 days agoDR man rented Jet Ski nine days ago in Providenciales; where is he now?
-
Health7 days agoDengue cases rising in Region
-
TCI News3 days agoExperience Turks and Caicos and Ministry of Tourism explore development of Cruise industry at Seatrade Global Cruise Conference
-
Caribbean News5 days agoCARICOM pushes need for Reparations Tribunal at Forum in Geneva
-
Education6 days agoCampus Brawl at Clement Howell High sends students to Hospital
-
Caribbean News1 week agoCARICOM, UN applauds published decree establishing Haiti’s Transitional Government
-
Caribbean News6 days agoCARICOM sends warning as Oil prices creep higher in the Israel v Iran conflict; 14 regional states import energy
-
Bahamas News1 week ago$36 Million Dollar Upgrade for World Athletics Relays in Nassau, Bahamas