Bahamas News

BAHAMAS: Minister Dames Highlights Crime-Fighting and RBPF Initiatives

Published

5 years ago

January 10, 2019

#Nassau, January 10, 2019 – Bahamas – Minister of National Security the Hon. Marvin H. Dames, said, on January 6, 2019, that, despite the accomplishments that the Royal Bahamas Police Force officers may have had over the previous year, the nation was still faced with an unacceptable level of crime and fear of crime.

“Our Government understands that we cannot simply ‘arrest’ our way of this issue,” Minister Dames said, during the RBPF Annual Church Service, held at Annex Baptist Cathedral, Wulff and Pinedale Roads. “So since coming to office almost 2 years ago, we have attacked crime from its roots by making criminal justice improvements, increasing educational achievement, improving social justice, reintegrating offenders, and creating economic empowerment initiatives.”

Among those in attendance were Prime Minister Dr. the Most Hon. Hubert Minnis; Acting Permanent at the Ministry of National Secretary Eugene Poitier; Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson; Commander of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Tellis Bethel; Acting Commissioner of Correctional Services Charles Murphy; Comptroller of Customs Dr. Geannine Moss; Director of Immigration Clarence Russell; senior officers and heads of uniformed branches of Government, including the Road Traffic Department and the Airport Authority; President of the Bahamas Christian Council Bishop Delton Fernander and numerous BCC members; members of the clergy; and family members of those members of the uniformed branches present who died in 2018.

Minister Dames stated that the Citizen Security and Justice Programme was one such initiative, that had already impacted the lives of many at-risk youth.

“Last year, we signed a contract with the National Training Agency for a programme that equips at-risk youth with the skills they need to make an honest living,” he said. “There are now 278 participants who will be completing the programme at the end of this month; 30 of whom have already secured full time jobs.”

Minister Dames noted that the Government had also signed a contract with the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute which allows inmates at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services to earn technical and vocational skills before they are released back into society. This will allow them to have skills to earn an honest living and a second chance of living a crime free life, he noted.

“The first cohort of 110 inmates graduated last year and the second cohort of 110 are now in the programme,” Minister Dames said. “This is an important aspect of our rehabilitation and reintegration efforts, which will have a positive impact on crime in the medium term.”

Minister Dames noted that the establishment of the Advisory Council on Crime was another initiative that his Ministry would be completing in 2019. He added that Dr. David Allen had been identified as a suitable Chairperson.

“With his guidance, the Council will provide us with creative ideas and advice that will bolster our Government’s crime fighting plan,” he said.

Investments in the “latest and greatest” police technology and equipment were ongoing and were another key component in supporting the professionalization of Bahamian armed forces, Minister Dame stated.

“In a few weeks, we will be signing a contract for the Shot Spotter Technology,” he added. “This technology revolutionizes crime fighting. It uses acoustic surveillance technology to detect, locate and alert the police of gunfire.”

Minister Dames continued and said that real-time data of precise locations, number of shots, and type of gunfire would be transmitted to the police control room, allowing analysts to pinpoint and subsequently dispatch units to the scene with the foreknowledge of particulars before their arrival.

“Getting to a gunfire incident faster not only improves the likelihood of apprehending a perpetrator, but may also save the life of a gunshot victim,” Minister Dames said.

The second phase of the expansion of the police fleet of vehicles was in motion, as another $3.4 million dollars would be spent to provide additional police cruisers, SUVs, T-3 Segways and ATVs, Minister Dames noted. Those vehicles, he said, would be hitting the streets across The Bahamas – from Bimini to Inagua – within the first quarter of 2019.

Minister Dames said that the National Neighbourhood Watch Council (NNWC), which was launched by Prime Minister Dr. the Most Hon. Hubert Minnis in April 2018, was already having a major impact on the safety and quality of life within communities.

“The 77 nationally recognized groups in New Providence and eight in Grand Bahama have been busy working to strengthen their relationship with the police,” he said. “By conducting foot patrols, vehicle patrols, and communicating with their divisional liaison officers, NNWC members have helped to reduce incidents of crime, particularly with thefts of vehicles.

“The NNWC is already affiliated with an international neighbourhood watch organization called Neighborhoods USA and will participate in its first international conference this summer.”

Minister Dames pointed out that the 134 new police officers had already been posted to various divisions in line with recommendations from the Manpower Audit. An additional 130 recruits would begin training shortly, as “we move to bring the Force’s strength up to appropriate levels”.

He added that the Police Reserves Audit would be completed shortly and its recommendations were aimed at addressing the concerns that reservists and regular officers share alike.

“Let me assure you that we will get this right,” he said.

Minister Dames stated that succession planning was a very important aspect of any progressive organization as it prepares and develops future leaders.

“A number of you in the senior ranks are nearing the end of your prestigious careers; and before we know it, the Force will need a new generation of leaders,” Minister Dames said. “Now is the time to look throughout ranks and identify officers who demonstrate the capacity to hold the top ranks in the Force.

“These officers must be trained, tasked, exposed and prepared to assume these critical positions in the dynamic field of policing.”

Minister Dames noted that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the University of The Bahamas and the Ministry of National Security would be signed shortly.

“This MOU will also involve a partnership with the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, which is one of the top schools for criminal justice in the United States,” he said. “The MOU will facilitate two Professional Certifications programmes; one in Law Enforcement Management and the other in Law Enforcement Leadership.”

He noted that mid to senior-level law enforcement officers would be targeted and specific courses would include finance, budgeting, human resources and critical issues facing police leaders globally.

“This programme is a key aspect of a broader succession plan for all law enforcement agencies,” Minister Dames said. “As a result, within the next few years, each law enforcement agency will have a cadre of competent officers from which the new generation of leaders will be selected.”

By Eric Rose

Photo Caption: Minister of National Security the Hon. Marvin H. Dames, highlights a number of crime-fighting initiatives, on January 6, 2019, during the Royal Bahamas Police Force Annual Church Service, held at Annex Baptist Cathedral, Wulff and Pinedale Roads.

(BIS Photo / Eric Rose)

Bahamas News

CIBC Caribbean announces the closure of Bay Street Branch

Published

7 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Shanieka

CIBC Caribbean today announced that its Bay Street branch will close permanently on 31st May 2024.

CIBC Caribbean’s Managing Director, Dr. Jacqui Bend, in making the announcement said: “We regret this development; however, our bank recognizes that our clients’ needs are changing, and we remain committed to meeting these evolving needs. We are even more focused within the climate of evolving technology advancements on creating product options that focus on security, convenience, and ease of doing business.”

Dr. Bend noted that there will be no job losses as a result of this closure and employees will be redeployed to other branches.

She observed, “Additionally, the closure of the Bay Street branch represents a continuation of the work previously started to repurpose our branch network to serve our clients more efficiently across the region.”

Dr. Bend said the decision to end operations at Bay Street was made with the knowledge that clients will continue to be adequately serviced by a strong branch presence that already exists in The Bahamas. She said the bank has written to its Bay Street clients informing them of the closure and has outlined their future banking options.

“We understand that the closure of Bay Street may be inconvenient to our some of our clients, but we hope that this will be tempered by the knowledge that they have many more avenues available to conduct their banking that are also convenient, safe and practical, using our mobile or online banking platforms or our other branch locations.”

Bahamas News

Freeport Business Expo to connect Grand Bahama businesses and entrepreneurs to expert resources

Published

6 days ago

April 27, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited

April 29, 2024 – Freeport, The Bahamas – In line with its mission to create a stronger, more connected Freeport economy, the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) is pleased to share details of the upcoming Freeport Business Expo: Tourism Edition, taking place on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Grand Lucayan Convention Center in Grand Bahama.

“As the GBPA continues its work to attract investors to Freeport, we offer this showcase of local and international businesses offering services and opportunities to potential and existing licensees,” stated Ian Rolle, GBPA President. “This Expo will not only connect unique international service providers with Bahamian entrepreneurs aiming to introduce new tourist attractions, but also bring together financing institutions to support Bahamian-owned start-ups and existing businesses in the industry.”

The emphasis on tourism at the 2024 Expo ensures that those in tourism-focused businesses are certain to benefit. The event will offer opportunities to meet potential business partners, gain insight on financial opportunities, engage with leaders in workshops and one-on-one sessions, and get answers on starting a Freeport business and obtaining a GBPA license.

“We regularly host community business expos,” said Glendia Sweeting, Manager of Quality Assurance and Special Projects. “But we recognize the significant benefit of an expo focused on enhancing tourism business offerings through connecting international service providers and Bahamian entrepreneurs. We have more than thirty local and national exhibitors taking part on May 2^nd, along with several international service providers.”

Multiple investment projects currently in progress and planned in the city of Freeport is creating anticipation for existing and potential entrepreneurs and this expo is geared towards preparing them for these opportunities. “Grand Bahama is going to experience a significant growth spurt in the next one to three years. I would strongly encourage everybody who wants to get involved in business to look at Grand Bahama as one of the top choices, especially over the next three years,” said Mr. Rolle.

The Expo opens on Wednesday, May 1^st with a welcome reception from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A full day of learning and networking opportunities follows on Thursday, May 2^nd. GBPA’s partners in the Freeport Business Expo include:

Grand Bahama Island Promotion Board
Ministry for Grand Bahama
Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce
Ministry of Tourism
Bahamas Immigration
Bahamas Customs
Five Star Shipping Company
Viva Wyndham Fortuna
Bahamas Air
Grand Lucayan Hotel

Registration for access to the Expo’s exhibitors is free, and all-access passes are available for purchase. Event details and registration information may be found at freeportbusinessexpo.com.

Bahamas News

Pacesetting Cohort of Eleuthera Residents Graduate from Leading Light Programme

Published

7 days ago

April 26, 2024

Shanieka

Office of University Relations

22^nd April 2024

Eleuthera, THE BAHAMAS – A pioneering cohort of 43 Eleuthera residents graduated from the University of The Bahamas’ (UB’s) free Leading Light Programme, sponsored by Disney Cruise Line (DCL) on Friday 19^th April, 2024.

The programme, launched in February 2024 and delivered through UB’s Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning (CeLEARN), offers a series of courses to ensure Eleuthera has a proficient workforce capable of delivering unparalleled hospitality leadership as the island experiences a sharp growth in tourism arrivals. The graduation ceremony was held at the Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce Business Hub in Rock Sound, Eleuthera.

The courses focused on tourism and hospitality skills, leadership development and effective communication. They were taught by UB faculty and included guest lecturers such as former Director General of Tourism, Minister of Tourism and Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization Vincent Vanderpool Wallace and veteran hospitality professor Dr. Lincoln Marshall.

“This programme represents the mission-driven collaboration and skills-building that University of The Bahamas is committed to fostering, supported by an important industry partner like Disney Cruise Line,” noted UB President (Acting) Janyne Hodder. “Given the importance of the tourism industry to our nation, we know how vital it is that we continually equip our workforce with diverse expertise to uphold our reputation for excellence in hospitality. We are grateful for this collaboration with Disney Cruise Line which has facilitated programme delivery in Eleuthera, enabling UB to broaden access to much sought-after professional development.”

As training and skills development programming grows across the island of Eleuthera, the Leading Light Programme experience was tailored to be free of charge, accessible and conclude with participants earning a UB certification that signals the high standard of education for which the University is recognized. Students came from all walks of life and traveled from as far away as Hatchet Bay in the North, and Bannerman Town in the South to Rock Sound for classes. Programme participants also received a stipend to defray the cost of commuting and other personal expenses.

Nora Smith, a manager at the picturesque Jack’s Bay Club, yearned to increase her skills.

“I would recommend this programme to anyone because The Bahamas is known as a tourism destination. Taking this course in tourism and hospitality, can help me to go far in dealing with tourists daily in my workplace,” she said.

Graduate Javonne Richards appreciated the comprehensive curriculum and the ease of access to the courses that were offered.

“This programme not only fills a gap in our Eleuthera education offerings, but also equips participants with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in dynamic work environments,” he noted.

Director General of Tourism Mrs. Latia Duncombe, who delivered the keynote address at the graduation ceremony, shared three essential qualities for successful tourism professionals: energy, creativity and a welcoming personality.

“Your fresh perspectives and innovative ideas are invaluable to creating unique, unforgettable customer experiences,” said Mrs. Duncombe. “While technology such as Artificial Intelligence, also have a role to play, human interaction remains essential.”

Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs and Member of Parliament for Central and South Eleuthera the Honourable Clay Sweeting commended the partnership that is supporting community growth.

“I am proud of every Eleutheran who came from near and far to take advantage of this opportunity,” said Minister Sweeting. “As Eleuthera’s economy continues to grow, especially in Central and South Eleuthera, I encourage more corporate partners to invest in the local community in innovative ways, like the University of The Bahamas and Disney Cruise Line have, so that we can continue to strengthen our local communities.”

Two additional cohorts will be offered this year, increasing the pipeline of Eleutherans who are optimally skilled as hospitality and tourism ambassadors. Registration for the summer programme will open on May 17 and the second cycle of courses begins June 17, 2024. Fall programme dates are September 23 through November 29, 2024. To learn more about the Leading Light Programme and how to enroll, please email atynes@eleutherahambercommerce.com.