It is time for zero tolerance

In the Tribune of September 12, there was a report of a stabbing of a student at A.F. Adderley school. On September 13 there was the report of the stabbing of three people at a construction site. On September 14, another report of a stabbing at the G.I. Gibson school. In that same edition of the Tribune there was a report of a principal and vice principal of a high school in Eleuthera resigning in protest because a student who was suspended because he was "violent, aggressive and posed a danger to the staff and students" was reinstated after "the mother of the boy complained to the new FNM government." The government's response was that "the principal had failed to adhere to the policies and regulations as outlined in the school manual" - some i's were not dotted and some t's not crossed!

Is it not time that someone very high up make the effort to connect the dots.

The Bahamas is in crisis, not just the schools, but our whole society. It is time that the laws that are on the books be enforced and if the penalty does not fit the crime then Parliament needs to amend the laws.

This is not the time to enter into philosophical arguments  or to form committees to figure out why so many criminals are trying to destroy our country. If a dam is about to break, fix it enough to prevent the break and figure out later why the fault occurred.

It is time for zero tolerance. Let's not let criminals out on bail so they can stab or murder, let's make sure that if a student is suspended that a ministry official or parent cannot interfere with that decision.If an accused murderer whines before a judge that the police beat him to obtain his confession, let the matter be investigated not release the accused.

Let us stop pampering the criminals. Let us punish them to the full extent of the law. That would be a good start.