The Bermuda Police Service Crime Statistics 2008: A Review

Although to review the crime statistics is not a difficult task, I just did not dedicate any time to do so until last week, when I review the criminal statistics of the criminal offences that were reported to the police for the year 2008, as was released from the Bermuda Police Service. My scrutinizing search led me to some very interesting anomalies in the statistics and other reports. I will endeavor to spend a little time, to go over the statistics and give you a brief but honest analytical prospective of my findings. I will also infused my personal opinion, however I will endeavor to identify my opinion, less anyone treat my opinion as if they are fact.

First of all let me take this opportunity to make it clear, that the crime statistics that is provided by the police, in no way reflects the amount of crimes that was committed within a particular location between particular periods. However it is a reflection of the amount of crimes which was reported to the police between particular periods. For example rape and other sexual offences very often go unreported by the victims, for some or more of the following reasons.

1. The victims may blame themselves for the action of the perpetrators.
   
2. They do not want to be a victim of the stigma that is associated with such offences
   
3. They are afraid that their partner (husband, boyfriends etc.) will blame them for causing their sexual victimization and thus end the relationship (marriage etc).
   
4. they don’t want to go through the trouble of becoming a victim a second, a third or even a forth time (as in the case of the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines who was accuse of raping a female police officer)
   
5. No one will believe me (the victim).
   
6. No one will believe that a particular individual (the Perpetrator) will do such a thing etc.
   
7. There is the fear of retribution.

It is also important to understand that a large percentage of the crimes that are committed in any given locations are never reported for various reasons, most of which are personal to the victims of crimes who chooses not to report the matter to the police. So the crime statistics is only a reflection of the pale reality. Like the moon light is just a poor reflection of the sun’s illumination.

If it is true, that the crime statistics is only a pale reflection of the reality what happens when the power that be, fail to present the statistics transparently?

Let us now take a good look at the crime statistics as was make public by the Bermuda Police Service; but first, we must lay a basic foundation that will give the average man an understanding of this discourse.

A crime is any offence that is committed by an individual or a group against and individual or group and or their properties, which may result in:

• damage,
• lost,
• destruction,
• injuries,
• hurt,
• death
• pain ect.

Such offences must be legislated under the criminal code, act or other legislation enacted for that purpose.

With this in mind the people of Bermuda will like to know:

• Why aren’t the criminal offence of Assault Bodily Harm (the most frequently committed offence) not apart of the Bermuda Police Service public statistics.
  

• Due to the fact that Bermuda has such a large portion of its population addicted to one substance or the other; Why aren’t drugs and drug related crimes not a part of the Bermuda Police Service public statistics; and the same for:
  
• Offensive weapons
  
• And the sophisticated theft crimes like embezzlement, money laundering, fraud etc.
  

After all, there are departments that are set up with trained staff to deal with such offences. There is the Commercial Crime Unit which deals with crime such as embezzlement etc. the Fraud Squad that deal with the various crimes of fraud and the Narcotic Department that deal with the trafficking, supply, sale and or the use of illegal mode altering substances (drugs). If there were no such crimes committed in the pass why spend good money to equip and staff such departments. If the Bermuda Police Service is going to devote a whole department to deal with such crimes, there must be a problem that needs specialized attention.

Now on May 12th 2008, the Bermuda Police Service became so alarmed over the amount of violent crime that has been committed in the first quarter that they call a press conference to alert the community of the mounting problem.

Was there a need to be concern, or was it just a case where the management of the Bermuda Police Service were calling wolf, wolf. What is troubling is the fact that the violent crime statistics from 2004-2008 (with the exception of 2006 which revealed a decline in violent crime) there were a steady increase; so in reality there was nothing to be alarm about. What was the big fuss about. Was It because the management of the Bermuda Police service do not understand trend as it relates to crimes? Did the crime analysis take an analytical look at the trends per quarter as it relate to different years? If they did that, they would have known that there was no need for alarm due to the fact that certain crime spike at certain time of the year for definite reasons.

OF the thirty three criminal offences listed, in the six categories, the Bermuda Police Service reported on, there were minimal increases in ten offences listed. This means that there was a reduction in commission in twenty three criminal offences.

Conclusion:

Take into consideration that there was a drastic deduction of commission in the number (23) of criminal offences with slight increase in ten offences, the fact that the management of the Bermuda Police Service, felt the need to raise the red flag in the first quarter as it related to violent crimes, however we saw a measly increase of only 19 more violent crimes in relation to 2007, also the fact that the Bermuda Police Service management conveniently omitted so many criminal offence from its statistics among other abnormality, I am therefore forced to reveal my opinionated conclusion that the statistics was intentionally doctored to reflect a technical reduction (general reduction in commission in 23 criminal offences) yet an over all increase in the crime rate, for to cause the overall crime rate to have reflected a decrease, would have raise the eye brows of the community and reveal a perpetration of a fraud ( a criminal offence) that was committed by the Bermuda Police Service management.

If the boys in the management position of the Bermuda Police Service are not man enough to do what is right, in such trivial issues (such as releasing the true criminal statistics), I hope the community will not expect them to do what is right in matter that has grave consequences attached.

Michael Jackson: "The King of Pop" Is No More

By now, the entire world had heard the sad news, the legend that was the King of Pop: Michael Jackson is no more; Michael who made a name for himself in the world of entrainment and who was considered the best performer ever, is now dead. But what made Michael Jackson such a big successful as a performer was his work ethics, his desire to be love and his perfectionist character.

Michael began as the lead singer of the first ever boy band: the Jackson Five, he was only five years when he began and he topped the charts at age eleven. The band was consisted of his four older siblings. Unfortunately none of his talented siblings that was apart of the boy band ever achieved the recognition or acclaim they had a group but Michael rocketed to mega-stardom.

Michael’s solo career began in 1972 with his first hit: Ben, which was followed by his first solo album “Off the Wall.” But he hit his peek as a performer in 1982, when he dethrone the legendary recording artist and performer Barry Manilow as the highest selling artist of all times, when he sold 27 million copies of the albums Thriller which owned him seven Grammy awards. Michael Jackson’s Thriller sold 16 Million more albums than Barry Manilow brst seller who held that record for quite a while.

The Thriller sensation revolutionized pop music in many ways. The Thriller album represented the marrying of many genre of music. Michael also revolutionized the way in which music were marketed; in that, he produced some of the most amazing, eye catching music videos which is considered cinematic work of art. These cinematic master pieces showcased his tremendous dance style and ability. Then came the albums: bad, dangerous and invincible unfortunately none of his later albums were as successful as Thriller.

Michael Jackson was not without his trouble, in 1993 and in 2004 there were allegations and child molestation charges brought against the music icon. One of which he settled out of court on the advise of his counsel, publicist and other advisors. However he pleased not guilty to the second allegation, which he fought, and was acquitted of in a court of law by a jury of his peers.

Although we may never know the truth about the allegations that was brought against Michael Jackson; I personally never believed they were true. I am of the opinion that Michael was a victim of imposed greed, a phenomenon that is widely spread today.

As a result of all of the nasty things that were said about this extraordinary and talented man, I wrote two articles in his defense, articles which were published in the St. Vincent and the Grenadines news papers; it was around this time that I penned this song.

Some say that I’m pathetic; some say I’m just a fool,
Some say that I’m eccentric, how could they be so cruel?
For all my faults and differences are what made me who I am.
I give you all the love I had, I though you will understand.

Cor. I give you my love; my all, I give the best I can.

........I give you my heart, my soul; I thought you’ll understand;
........With a broken heart, I give my love to you,
........With a broken heart I give my love to you.

You said, that I am troubled; you called me nasty names,
The lies you told about me, caused me agony and pain,
You forgot that I’m not perfect; I’ve got feeling just like you
Although you think I’m special, I hurt the way you do.

It is with a heavy heart that I take this opportunity to extend to Michael’s family, friends, and the entire world community my deepest sympathy. But most of all it is my hope that Michael’s was prepare to meet Jehovah.

St. Vincent Constitution Review: A Closer Look

The Constitution or the supreme law of any nation is a body of laws that should be instituted by the people to meet specific needs. Some of the more pertinent requirement is to safeguard the needs and rights of the people of that generation and future generations from certain ills, and to ensure that an acceptable way of life is preserved while securing the following:

• 
  
  Guard against injustice in its widest from.
• 
  
  protect societal values, morals and norms
• 
  
  Guard against Anarchy of all kind.
• 
  
  to ensure the rule of law prevails and it is actually blind,
• 
  
  Provide a justice system that is free from corruption, as well as ensure that justice is free, fair and available to all.
• 
  
  And to ensure that the systems are in place to preserved peace, foster goodwill and ensure the well being of those that dwell in that land.

The enacting or the revision of a nation’s constitution is not an assignment that should be taken lightly; neither is it a task that should be undertaken by selfish men, with egoistic personalities, who lack strength and wisdom. For such a critical endeavor can have far-reaching consequences on the people of the day and on future generation if prudence, wisdom and good judgment are not exercised.

It is no secret that I do not trust Ralph Gonsalves: the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines or any of his actions. So when I heard that he was going to undertake the awesome responsibility of overseeing a constitutional review, I took that news with a pinch of salt, tremendous worry, apprehension and fear. This along with the fact that everyone knows that anyone Ralph Gonsalves hand pick and who later receives the rubber stamp of approval from his cabinet is either a stooge or a puppet. One who is willing to Jump, hop or skip at his command.

We have seen this in the behavior and example of the following:

• 
  
  Colin Williams the Director of Public Prosecution in St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Colin was a young man with lot of positive potential who had failed to realize his potential.
• 
  
  We also have the example of Keith Miller the Commissioner of Police in St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Keith is a young man who unfortunately lived up to his true potential.
• 
  
  And there is the elder statesman: Mr. Parnell R Campbell QC, who was made to resign his N.D.P held political portfolio, by Ralph Gonsalves when he leader of the opposition. By this incident we can conclude that Mr. Campbell integrity can be questioned. In my opinion he is one who should have been wiser; but unfortunately he is one who has become giddy from going full political circle on to many occasion, one whose inconsistency have caused him to become so intoxicated that he cannot serve no objective purpose.
• 
  
  It is for these reasons that I have been going through the document that is titled "The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution act 2009." As a result, my scrutinizing eyes have picked up the following discrepancies.

I was of the opinion that the constitutional review and the Commission that was to undertake that review had an objective of ensuring that the Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines kept up with the changing times, legal changes, and international advancements. However section 14 (1) of the preamble makes provision to replace the Governor General with a president. This section had therefore convinced me that; the constitution review which was ordered by Ralph Gonsalves Government was not only to bring the nation’s supreme law up to date with local, legal and international changes; but it was and is intended to equip St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the transition from an independent State to a republic. Am I the only person who was not aware that, this was the expressed intention of the constitution review or is Ralph Gonsalves and his government trying to put one over on us (Vincentian)?

I also find it strange that according to the preamble, section 6 (2) of the soon to be instituted President will have a tree years grace period to change "any" existing law that he sees fit, by publishing such in the official gazette. What is unfortunate is this part of the constitution did not specify which type of laws the president has the power to change, alter or amend. Here we have a situation where one man has the power and authority to bypass parliamentary procedures and amend any portion or body of laws he feels like; depriving the people who were elected for that purpose the opportunity to function in their capacity to draft, prepare and present amendments to bad laws to the house. This is the perfect way of sneaking a piece of no-good law onto the people, (selling them into slavery) and thus creating an unstable political and social environment. Such Wily Nelly method of changing, and or amending any portion or body of law, presents the perfect opportunity for unscrupulous men to act in their own interest or in the interest of a group etc. and sell the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to the highest bidder. In such cases the highest bidder is often the head of government who is obsessed with power; or some multimillionaire from a distance shore.

Another issue I am going to address in this discourse is one which aroused my suspicions. I am very suspicious of the reason why Chapter 6, section 69 (1) (a) is so wide. This section opens up the opportunity for people with duel or more citizenship to hold elected office in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Now let us for argument sake conclude that such a person is elected or appointed to one of the political offices in the St. Vincent House of Parliament and after taking such office, that individual mess with our country’s finances and steal the little money we don’t have. Then that individual can run off to anyone of the countries they are citizen of and enjoy the good life.

In my opinion this is the Prime Minister’s way of ensuring that his son Camillo Gonsalves who is a citizen of three countries, St. Vincent the country he is least loyal to, has a secured political career in S.VG; and so this part of our constitution is dedicated to Camillo Gonsalves. I cannot see the sense in embedding such into the constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines; this can and will have serious implication in the present as well as the future. It is a sad thing that we are not mature enough to think of the future; unfortunately we can only see in the now and how it is going to benefit me.

Today we are living in an era of sophisticated technological advancement, an era where there has been unbelievable advancement in teaching and teaching aids. Now people with disabilities after they have received the correct training to offset their disability; they have been attending IV league schools, attaining note worthy education advancements, have excelled in various fields, (holders of degrees) functions in many capacities and in many instances they have even excel beyond their able body colleagues. Yet we see Chapter 6, section 68 of the new and soon to be enacted constitution discriminates against people with disabilities.

Isn’t it a shameful that in such an era like this one, the new Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has discriminatory clauses? And isn’t it embarrassing that the blind, the hearing impaired and the physical disable are the ones who are subject to such discrimination.

Sec. 68 (1) "A person shall be qualify to be elected or selected to be a representative if, and shall not be so qualify to be so elected or selective unless he (the term "he" here is sexist and therefore automatically disqualifies females)

(d) is able to speak (this disqualify the person who is unable to speak no matter their academic qualification and competences there are so many intellectuals that cannot speak) and, unless incapacitated by blindness (people with the learning and ability of New York City Governor David Paterson is excluded) or other physical cause (this automatically disqualify People with the ability and tenacity of four term US president Franklin Delano Roosevelt FDR and would have automatically disqualify Larry Bascombe if he was alive), to read the English language with a degree of proficiency sufficient to allow him to take an active part in the proceedings of the national assemble.

This in its-self is indeed a primitive step which will take St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the wrong direction. Can you believe the audacity of the government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to discriminate against people with physical or other impediment? Not only in though and actions; but such evil, discriminatory and insensitive biases will soon be legally enforced; as such are embedded into the supreme law of St. Vincent, are you kidding me?

In my opinion there are too many ambiguities in the constitution as it stands. I am of the opinion that cobweb has taken over the legal minds that was entrusted with such an important responsibility. I cannot wait to read the final draft.