Bahamas Crime consultant says killings personal, not gang-related

By Shanieka Smith

Staff Writer

#TheBahamas, November 17, 2022 – According to a recent report by Bahamas’ Ministry of National Security Crime Consultant, Carlos Reid, gang leaders said the judicial system in The Bahamas is unsatisfactory and they will not allow themselves to be targeted.

They added that they “don’t want to be sitting ducks” and risk being taken out by others.

In attempts to curb the increase in violent crimes on the island, Reid has been in communication with some local gang leaders. He believes that the recent spike in crime is mostly due to attempts at vigilante justice or self-defence and not gang-related violence.

Reid added that the gang leaders do not think justice is being served in a timely manner and have taken matters into their own hands.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a $20 million loan in 2015 to help reduce crime which, according to Reid, has not been used. He said programs in problem-solving should have been initiated using this fund, but this was not done.

He mentioned, however, that starting next Wednesday a seminar involving over 100 young men will be held at the Hope Center; they will be taught about conflict resolution and anger management.

Simultaneously, Clayton Fernander, Commissioner of Police said a Firearms and Anti-gangs Task Force unit is set to be launched within the next two weeks including Royal Bahamas Defence  Force officers; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and US Homeland Security.