NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC) — Prime Minister Phillip Davis says he remains optimistic that law enforcement authorities will be able to “save this country” as he outlined new initiatives to deal with the rising crime, particularly murder, in The Bahamas.

In a national statement on Sunday night, Prime Minister Davis said he would have preferred to have taken the time to set out the plans his Administration have in place to further the further socio-economic development of the chain of archipelago islands.

“Instead, with the country having witnessed 11 murders over the past 14 days, I want to speak to you about the things we are doing to reduce the incidence of crime, and the plans we are beginning to implement ultimately to prevent crime being committed in the first place,” he said.

Prime Minister Davis said over the past year, and in the past few weeks in particular, New Providence has been the scene of senseless carnage, much of it attributed to persons already on bail for serious offences.

He said most murderers and victims have also been connected to those associated in some way with gangs, noting that gang-related activity has plagued the country for far too long.

He said over the years a number of initiatives have been launched to try to deal with it and “we are now preparing the most comprehensive approach yet.

“Our front-line response to the present crisis is to bring forward a strategy which is already in the advanced stages of planning. Our approach lies in three stages: ‘Clear, Hold and Build’.

“We’re going on the offensive.”

He said, put simply, the first phase is to “clear out the gangs from our neighbourhoods” and that the police, armed with new resources and resolve, will strike hard against these gangs.

“We’re not just disrupting them, we’re dismantling them. We will show no mercy to those who have shown no mercy to their fellow citizens. If you choose crime, you will face the full weight and might of the law”.

Davis said that after clearing the gangs from the neighbourhoods, the authorities will not just walking away and would be implementing the second phase of the initiative.

“Our police will ‘hold’ these communities by maintaining an ongoing, relentless presence.

“This is an area which we think has not been addressed fully in the past. We’re sending a clear message to any criminal who thinks they can make a comeback; we’re here, we’re here to stay, and we’re not going anywhere.”

He said this phase is about constant vigilance and strength and the authorities will not just be building roads and buildings by providng opportunities for The Bahamians.

“This is about investing in our communities, creating opportunities that didn’t exist before, and ensuring that crime is never again seen as a desirable option. We’re not just reclaiming our streets; we’re revitalising them”.

He said the “clear, hold, build” initiative is an approach which has been used in some form or another in other countries, with significant degrees of success.

“We are adapting it to suit the situation on the ground here in The Bahamas, and we are fully resolved to do what is necessary to succeed.”

He acknowledged that most of the killings are gun-related and that there are far too many firearms on the streets.

“In fact, we have already begun to take more aggressive actions against those found in possession to support our zero-tolerance approach. Our Anti-Gang and Firearm Task Force is in full swing.

“Last year the judiciary designated a magistrate specifically to deal with firearms offences.

“We now have quicker prosecutions, with stiffer penalties being imposed. From the date of first appearance in court to conviction or acquittal, it now takes an average of two months rather than a number of years as was previously the case. The backlog is also being cleared,” said Davis.

He told the nation that they would not believe where the authorities are finding these guns, saying they are “stashed in cereal boxes and tucked away in snack packets, buried in ‘innocent-looking’ surroundings.

“Guns are also being hidden by girlfriends, parents and grandparents. Most worryingly, children and young people are being used to hide weapons near schools or even attempting to smuggle them in their underwear – and this is true of both girls and boys. It’s clear evidence of the lengths criminals will go to.

“But let me tell you, no matter how clever these gangs think they are, our task force is smarter, tougher, and more determined. We’re uncovering their tricks, and we’re putting an end to their game.”

Davis, meanwhile, reiterated a call for the United States to help curb the illegal exportation of drugs to The Bahamas and other Caribbean countries, saying, “I’ve been straight with the US Government about the need to step up their game, and they have, as a result, tightened their response.

“Our partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is strengthening.

“We’re not just talking; we’re taking action. We’re tracking down Bahamians with dual citizenship who have been buying guns in the US and trafficking them here,” said the prime minister.

“During the past two years we have significantly increased the resources to help the police to be more effective. We have recruited over 200 more officers, brought more vehicles onto the streets, provided more technological support, more firearms and so on. We now need to go even further,” said Davis.

He said police officers are already in every school and the government “will enhance their capacity to ensure safety at school, and build positive relationships with students.

“We will increase police presence in high-crime areas to deter criminal activities. We will install more state-of-the-art surveillance technology using Facial Recognition CCTV, to help with crime detection and prevention.

“We are encouraging officers to build stronger community ties in order to improve intelligence-gathering, We are creating dedicated teams to provide assistance and protection to witnesses in criminal cases,” Davis said.