Cedric Moss
02-22-04, - 10:14 PM
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Stemming Lawlessness – Part 1
by
Apostle Cedric Moss
Almost on a daily basis, we can observe evidence of increasing lawlessness in our nation. One just has to drive our streets, pick up a newspaper or listen to the news. Last week, without making any effort to observe lawlessness, we saw and experienced graphic evidence of it as New Providence was plunged into an island-wide blackout as a result of what The Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) called “deliberate acts of sabotage” to four (4) poles that fell on an overhead high voltage power line. The poles were evidently cut down by what appears to have been a chainsaw.
This week, BEC offered a $25,000 reward to anyone who can provide them with information relating to the apprehension of the person or persons responsible for the deliberate acts of sabotage. I am saddened that, after incurring substantial cost and losses from those acts, this public corporation has to possibly incur such a reward expense in order to increase the chances of bringing the person(s) responsible to justice. On the other hand, I am encouraged by the evident resolve and courage of those responsible for deciding to offer this reward. It shows that they do take the acts very seriously, as they should be taken, and they are committed from their side to stemming lawlessness.
Beyond Politics
My comments about lawlessness are not directed at any government or minister, past or present.
I say this because I find that far too many people in our nation cannot consider commentary on national issues without wearing their PLP or FNM glasses which are generally out of focus and therefore wrong. I am simply addressing growing lawlessness and while governments do have a role to play, the responsibility largely lies on the citizenry and we need to try to stem it from every possible angle; the home, churches, community and civic groups, the schools, Parliament and the judiciary.
The Real Concern
As I interacted with a broad spectrum of persons who like me (and some 65,000 other customers of BEC) were inconvenienced by the ill-timed, prolonged blackout, I found that the majority seemed more concerned about not having electricity than the glaring acts of sabotage. Don’t get me wrong: I was eager to have my electricity restored, on a few fronts, but I was more concerned by these serious and brazen acts of lawlessness.
I still shudder to think about the fact that we have in our country a person or persons who would be indifferent to every consequence and cut down (or aid and abet the cutting down of) 4 (four) strategic poles to crash the power supply grid on the island…again indifferent to the all of the consequences, including the loss of life. Clearly, behind these acts is no thought of being caught or no fear of the consequences, if caught.
Cheap Crime
Recently, I read the report from the courts and saw where a 51 year old man pleaded guilty to punching his ex-wife in the eye, while beating her about the body and threatening to kill her. He was fined $400 or 4 months in prison. I could hardly believe my eyes because the sentence seems rather light for such serious crimes. It almost makes it seem feasible to keep $400 on hand in the event that you need to punch out or threaten to kill someone. I am saying this sarcastically to make this point: If this sentence (i.e. $400.00 or 4 months in prison) is reflective of how our society views physical assault and death threats, we are encouraging lawlessness and in a sad state.
Sentences like the aforementioned make me wonder what fine and/or prison sentence will be given in the event that the person(s) responsible for the BEC sabotage are apprehended. We will have to wait and see, for both the apprehension and the court trial.
Crime Inflation
There is a role that governments have to play that is unique to them. That role is passing adequate legislation and keeping the same updated to stem lawlessness. This, governments cannot shrink back from. One aspect of this role is to address what I call “crime inflation”. For example, why is it that the “price” (the sentence) for committing serious crimes like attempted murder, rape, armed robbery and others, has not changed in the last 10-15 years while the number of these offences continue to be committed at an alarming rate?
I am convinced that the “price” attached to crimes should reasonably communicate how the wider society feels about those crimes. And why shouldn’t serious crimes like rape, armed robbery and cutting down utility poles have a life sentence attached to them? If this is done, it is reasonable to conclude that we will see a drastic reduction in the commission of these crimes. In other words, if they are adjusted up for crime inflation, fewer people will be willing to pay the price.
Click Here For Part 2 (http://www.bahamasissues.com/showthread.php?p=4703#post4703)
Apostle Cedric Moss serves as Senior Pastor at Kingdom Life World Outreach Centre. Commentary and feedback may be directed to: apostle@kingdom-life.org.
Stemming Lawlessness – Part 1
by
Apostle Cedric Moss
Almost on a daily basis, we can observe evidence of increasing lawlessness in our nation. One just has to drive our streets, pick up a newspaper or listen to the news. Last week, without making any effort to observe lawlessness, we saw and experienced graphic evidence of it as New Providence was plunged into an island-wide blackout as a result of what The Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) called “deliberate acts of sabotage” to four (4) poles that fell on an overhead high voltage power line. The poles were evidently cut down by what appears to have been a chainsaw.
This week, BEC offered a $25,000 reward to anyone who can provide them with information relating to the apprehension of the person or persons responsible for the deliberate acts of sabotage. I am saddened that, after incurring substantial cost and losses from those acts, this public corporation has to possibly incur such a reward expense in order to increase the chances of bringing the person(s) responsible to justice. On the other hand, I am encouraged by the evident resolve and courage of those responsible for deciding to offer this reward. It shows that they do take the acts very seriously, as they should be taken, and they are committed from their side to stemming lawlessness.
Beyond Politics
My comments about lawlessness are not directed at any government or minister, past or present.
I say this because I find that far too many people in our nation cannot consider commentary on national issues without wearing their PLP or FNM glasses which are generally out of focus and therefore wrong. I am simply addressing growing lawlessness and while governments do have a role to play, the responsibility largely lies on the citizenry and we need to try to stem it from every possible angle; the home, churches, community and civic groups, the schools, Parliament and the judiciary.
The Real Concern
As I interacted with a broad spectrum of persons who like me (and some 65,000 other customers of BEC) were inconvenienced by the ill-timed, prolonged blackout, I found that the majority seemed more concerned about not having electricity than the glaring acts of sabotage. Don’t get me wrong: I was eager to have my electricity restored, on a few fronts, but I was more concerned by these serious and brazen acts of lawlessness.
I still shudder to think about the fact that we have in our country a person or persons who would be indifferent to every consequence and cut down (or aid and abet the cutting down of) 4 (four) strategic poles to crash the power supply grid on the island…again indifferent to the all of the consequences, including the loss of life. Clearly, behind these acts is no thought of being caught or no fear of the consequences, if caught.
Cheap Crime
Recently, I read the report from the courts and saw where a 51 year old man pleaded guilty to punching his ex-wife in the eye, while beating her about the body and threatening to kill her. He was fined $400 or 4 months in prison. I could hardly believe my eyes because the sentence seems rather light for such serious crimes. It almost makes it seem feasible to keep $400 on hand in the event that you need to punch out or threaten to kill someone. I am saying this sarcastically to make this point: If this sentence (i.e. $400.00 or 4 months in prison) is reflective of how our society views physical assault and death threats, we are encouraging lawlessness and in a sad state.
Sentences like the aforementioned make me wonder what fine and/or prison sentence will be given in the event that the person(s) responsible for the BEC sabotage are apprehended. We will have to wait and see, for both the apprehension and the court trial.
Crime Inflation
There is a role that governments have to play that is unique to them. That role is passing adequate legislation and keeping the same updated to stem lawlessness. This, governments cannot shrink back from. One aspect of this role is to address what I call “crime inflation”. For example, why is it that the “price” (the sentence) for committing serious crimes like attempted murder, rape, armed robbery and others, has not changed in the last 10-15 years while the number of these offences continue to be committed at an alarming rate?
I am convinced that the “price” attached to crimes should reasonably communicate how the wider society feels about those crimes. And why shouldn’t serious crimes like rape, armed robbery and cutting down utility poles have a life sentence attached to them? If this is done, it is reasonable to conclude that we will see a drastic reduction in the commission of these crimes. In other words, if they are adjusted up for crime inflation, fewer people will be willing to pay the price.
Click Here For Part 2 (http://www.bahamasissues.com/showthread.php?p=4703#post4703)
Apostle Cedric Moss serves as Senior Pastor at Kingdom Life World Outreach Centre. Commentary and feedback may be directed to: apostle@kingdom-life.org.