Bahamas: Youth gangs up by '58%'

Youth gangs up by '58%'
By NOELLE NICOLLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
nnicolls@tribunemedia.net


THE number of youth gangs in the Bahamas rose by 58 per cent over the past eight years, according to data released by Youth Against Violence.

The total number of gangs in the Bahamas is now 79, and schools have become a "breeding ground." It is not just public schools being affected, said Minister Keith Gray, a presenter at the Conflict Resolution and Anger Management Seminar on Friday.

"No school is impervious to gang penetration," he said. "We say this not to create pandemonium, but to create a network of support to address the plight of our youth," he said.

Earlier this week, Pastor Carlos Reid, a director at Youth Against Violence (YAV), said over 20,000 Bahamian youth are involved in gang activity. Since then, some Bahamians have accused the group of having exaggerated figures.

But Pastor Reid said he is not phased.

"Let's do the math," he said, referring to 1991 statistics that placed the number at 9,000. He said the reference was a consultative report on youth development produced by a government steering committee.

The problem is real and it is affecting Bahamians as young as eight and nine. At that age they serve as recruits. "It could start out as washing a car for $5 for a known gang member," he said.

Minor chores end up being major crimes, like transporting drugs, ammunition and weapons by order of gang leaders, he said.

The problem sufficiently warrants the creation of a multi-departmental gang unit, according to Pastor Reid. The idea has caught steam with the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

The top brass were in attendance at the YAV workshop. Commissioner Elliston Greenslade confirmed that a gang unit has been a part of continuing discussions among his executive management team.

He said they are open to the idea of establishing a gang unit as another strategy for youth intervention.

The gang unit would fit into the police's over all youth strategy that includes "involvement, interaction and intervention," said Mr Greenslade. It would not be based on the "limited lock them up" mentality held by some people.

"I spoke to the boys and they are just ordinary kids. These are little fellas who need mentorship. They asked me questions like if I have ever stolen something," said Mr Greenslade. "They are just trying to test you."

He explained to a group of boys, suspended from H.O. Nash Junior School, that he once stole a bicycle when he was a boy in Bain Town. He said his grandmother made him take it back.

"We have been calling for this gang unit from thy kingdom come. The authorities are either clueless, don't care or they don't live in the Bahamas. All of the different agencies should come together and form that unit," said Pastor Reid, speaking of the ministry of youth and education, the department of social services, the police, and other stakeholders.

Minister Grey said gang membership is broken down into several categories. Wannabes, he said, are individuals who imitate the behaviour of "hardcore gangsters." This activity is primarily seen at the primary school and junior high school level.

Periphery members are individuals who are part in and part out, or may be interested in seeking membership. Primarily seen at the junior high school level, these members are not fully entrenched in the gang, but they deal in some level of intimidation and harassment.

"Affiliates are the real gang bangers", said Minister Grey. This activity is seen primarily at the senior high school level. Participants at this level are believed to be "committed to deviant behaviour" and other criminal activity such as carrying weapons and selling drugs.

"Hardcore gangsters, or OGs (original gangstas) are in for life; ready to die. They are mainly out of school young men," said Minister Grey.

Not all young people will admit to gang membership, said Minister Grey, but they are trained to look at the signs: graffiti in school books; body tattoos, particular ways of dressing; hair cuts; sounds; hand signals, for example.

"My mummy used to say stop hanging out with those bad company boys. Little did she know I was the bad company. A lot of parents they swear for their kids, but they are lost in the storm," said Minister Grey, who was one of the founding members of the Rebellion Raiders in the 1980s.

"The reality is a lot of our young people are good when they are home, but when they are out on the strips, they are terrorists. Personally, that is who I was. I had a split personality almost. Respectful at home, then out on the strip doing all kinds of crazy things. A lot of parents don't see their kids as being that," he said.

October 04, 2010

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