PM: Gangs Succeed When Families and Communities Fail

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – As he opened debate on the Anti-Gang Bill tabled a few weeks ago, Prime Minister Philip Davis says gangs succeed when families and communities fail.

Davis says one life lost to gang violence is a catastrophic failure.

The prime minister says it will take all hands on deck from stakeholders.

He also hit out at successive governments that failed to create effective policies, parents, neighbors and community leaders.

The bill levies a $100,000 fine and a 25-year prison term to anyone convicted of gang-related offenses.

The bill also issues fines and prison sentences for recruiting someone to join a gang; committing an offense for the financial benefit of a gang; instructing a gang member to commit a serious offense; threatening someone with retaliation in response to violence against a gang member or leader and for endangering someone or casing damage to property on behalf of gangs, among other things.

The bill also levies a 20-year sentence to anyone found guilty of harboring gang leaders or members.

Housing Minister Keith Bell seconded the bill.