Gangs in the Bahamas

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average. That in itself tells you where we are as far as Education in this country.

It a sad, but its true facts. A good percentage of students are dropping out of

school and those that make it to the twelfth grade are graduating with just

completion certificates. The whole Education System needs to be revisited and

some serious changes need to take place. Students are leaving school to go on a

competitive job market with no BJC’s and no BGCSE’s not being able to acquire

good jobs. No job, no money how can you make a decent life for yourself and

your family. So these kids turn to a life of gang violence and crime to maintain

themselves and their families financially. I strongly believe that a teacher is also

responsible for shaping a child, along with parents. Teachers help to produce

other teachers, nurses, doctors, bus driver, nail technicians, divers, barbers,

and the list can go on and on as well as criminals.

Poverty is also a major reason why kids join these gangs. We mostly see

inner city children being apart of these notorious gangs. If you don’t believe me

pick up a newspaper or listen to the News. You are constantly hearing

communities such as Kemp Road, Bain Town, Fox Hill, Pinewood and alike. Kids

today are becoming intrigue by gangs and what they have to offer. They offer a

sense of family, protection, and a way to make lots of money through illegal

activities. For some kids this is all they know, so they choose this avenue as a way

out.

EFFECTS FROM GANG AFFILLIATION

Records from the Royal Bahamas Police Force, as well as public health

sources confirm high levels of crime and violence that have consistently risen

during the past decade. Crimes such as murders, rape and Arm robberies are up.

The youths do not realize the devastating effects their actions have on the

Bahamas and its economy. Day after day murder after murder.

Tourism is our number one Industry. That means we derived most of our

financial resources from tourist visiting the Bahamas via planes or boats. With all

these murders, the U.S. Embassy has been known to advise and alert their

citiczens to be very careful when visiting the Bahamas on the whole. There is a

greater picture. This would be a great loss of jobs for persons who especially

work in the hospitality industries such as Hotel Workers, Taxi Drivers, Tour

Companies, Jet Ski Operators, Party Boat Operators and so forth.

My grandfather has been a taxi driver for over forty years and this is how

he makes his living. This is how we eat, we travel, bills are paid and how he takes

care of the family. I would not want to see my grandfather and so many others

loose what they have establish for a few bad thugs who cannot seem to get their

lives together and is on a road to destroy others in their pathway.

As a small country by which Tourism sustain us, we cannot afford to let

crime get out of control. We must apply pressure to these hooligans.

The youths of today have no respect or regard for human life. Gang

members is all about making their gang the most feared and respected. They

would stop at nothing to make this happen. The reason being they use

Criminal and illegal activity as a way to sustain themselves and other gang

members financially .

It looks as if the Police Force is losing the fight against crime. One time

ago we would expect to see older individuals on death notice, but now the

major percentage is younger individuals, due to gang violence and crime their

lives are being cut down. The Bible says “If you live by it, you will surely die by

it.” That is why Christians use the Bible as their guideline on how to live a long

and fruitful life. God promised us three score and ten. The youths of today is not

living a quarter of that.

It is sad to say but the mortuary business is becoming more lucrative than

ever. An average funeral can range from $5,000 - $10,000. It is very costly for

funerals nowadays I don’t know how the parents of murder children can afford it.

We had more than one occasion when a mother had to bury more than one child

at the same time it is one too many. I am reminded by my mother of the Neily

brothers they were murdered a few days in between one another back in August,

2017. Below are some of the popular funeral homes you may know ;

Below are stories of young people who were gunned down