I have a couple of reader emails to post on the latest 'anti-crime' moves. The first, which follows below, focuses on specifics. The other, which I'll post later, puts the bigger picture together in a way that I think is quite shrewd and accurate:
The Premier's anti-crime measures announced today were as much intriguing for what it contained as what was left out. There was little "creativity," meagre traces of originality and a dose of "he said what?" Let's break down the measures he announced:1. Increase Police presence.
#1 on every politican's anti-crime plan. We've heard this before.
2. Legal review.
Sounds interesting but didn't former Attorney General Larry Mussenden complete a review and implement new laws?
3. "Clergy against crime"
No disrespect to the clergy, but if you've attended church at all in the past 20 years you can guess what they'll say. Nice to have a mention, but nothing novel will be heard here.
4. Amnesty.
Been there, done that.
5. School intervention.
Nothing new here. Teachers, counsellors, Police, social workers, probation officers are on this beat daily.
6. S.W.A.T. (Special Weapons and Tactics).
He said what? More on this below.
7. Review of the Department of Child and Family Services.
When the crime tide is working against you, every politican's favourite past-time is to launch a review and somehow insinuate that maybe those civil servants just aren't getting it right.
8. Improve parenting skills.
On everyone's New Year's list.
9. Parental responsibility laws.
Interesting. Probably cross-Party support for this.
10. Mirrors programme.
No problem with that although I think the Mirrors message lacks clarity and reflects Government bureacracy.But Premier, I have a few questions.
Where was the Commissioner today? Why wasn't he there as a sign of solidarity and support?
Why no mention of sweeping anti-crime legislation? Legislation that leaves criminals in no doubt that crime involving weapons, firearms, violence and drugs will result in substantial prison time.
Why was there no mention of the Black Male study? By no means am I suggesting that blacks have an exclusivity on crime but the links between disadvantaged black males and crime is clear. Every voter sees it, feels it and knows it.
You want creativity? Get a recognised criminologist involved in developing strategies and solutions.
Now for the "He said what?" category. The reference to a new Bermuda Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) was puzzling. The Police already have the highly trained Emergency Response Team. The problem might be that these same very well equipped and firearms trained Police Officers who should be on the front line in any anti-crime tactics are the same ones providing armed escorts for the Premier. Seriously.
