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VOLUME:115 No.13, DECEMBER 7TH, 2017

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‘Missing’ detainee was flown to Haiti

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net A 35-YEAR-OLD man detained by Immigration and who has not contacted his family for nearly three weeks has been flown to Haiti, Director of Immigration William Pratt said yesterday.

In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Pratt said Jean Rony JeanCharles, pictured, was sent to Port au Prince, Haiti on November 24 after not being able to prove he was in the country legally.

However, representatives from the Haitian Embassy told The Tribune they have no record of Mr JeanCharles being repatriated.

THE man accused of lying in the road to create an obstacle the night in November 2015 former Queen’s College elementary teacher Joyelle McIntosh was killed, yesterday claimed he was “stomped” in the scrotum repeatedly by police to give a false confession.

Johnny Mackey, taking the witness stand before Justice Bernard Turner, said he was repeatedly kicked in

WASTE WORKERS STRIKE THREAT FOR CHRISTMAS

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE country’s waste management system could face a crisis ahead of the holiday season as employees of Bahamas Waste Limited have announced plans to hold a strike vote as early as next week amid ongoing industrial issues.

SEE PAGE SEVEN

When contacted Kerl Chatelier, First Secretary of the Haitian Embassy, said when the Immigration Department is sending suspected illegal immigrants back to Haiti his embassy is notified of the individuals involved.

“In the case of Jean Rony Jean–Charles we don’t know anything about him. His name is not on the list,” said Mr Chatelier.

When questioned about the discrepancy, Mr Pratt said he was “unsure” and can only say he was “told the man was repatriated”.

On Tuesday, the family of Mr Jean-Charles said they were unsure whether SEE PAGE SEVEN

TEACHER MURDER POLICE BEAT US TOO

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

L SOUR CE

his genitals by officers while at the Central Detective Unit (CDU) in November 2015, so much so they became “swollen”.

Mackey also said he was “fish-bagged” repeatedly, meaning a plastic bag was placed on his head by officers. He claimed when he told them to stop or they would kill him, officers told him they could simply put a rope around his neck and place him back in the cell because he was already suffocating.

SEE PAGE FIVE

MONTAGU Bay will be filled with sail today as the second annual Best of the Best regatta gets underway.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources has attracted

Bahamian and international sailors to the four-day event which aims to showcase the best of the best in sloop class sailing.

The regatta runs in conjunction with the Sloop Sailors

League Finals which have been held here in The Bahamas for the past four years.

Photo: Star Sailors League/Martinez Studio

MP DENIES KICKBACK SLUR

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net BAIN and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson yesterday called a widely circulated allegation that he was caught receiving kickbacks from contractors a “total fabrication”.

The allegation was circulated on social media this week and involved accusations of extortion, claiming Mr Robinson, pictured, was called into a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance K Peter Turnquest over

the weekend to discuss matters involving deposits to a bank account.

Mr Robinson and others in the Free National Movement (FNM) categorically denied yesterday any such meeting took place.

“The only comment I have to that is those comments are totally false,” Mr Robinson, 22, said.

“They’re fabricated. They

have no merit.

I continue to work hard for the people inside my constituency. The government, the prime minister, stands behind the work I’ve done and we will see it through to completion.”

Press Secretary Anthony Newbold said yesterday that no review will be undertaken to investigate the matter.

SEE PAGE THREE

• See Sports for more

PLP ACTION ALMOST LED TO BLACKLIST

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday blamed the former Progressive Liberal Party’s “lacklustre and late-again approach” for The Bahamas’ financial services industry’s near-blacklisting by the European Union as the government passed three pieces of legislation allowing the country to meet international standards.

SEE PAGE THREE

HOW DID YOU GET ALL THIS MONEY?

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Attorney General yesterday said law enforcement will gain “greater teeth” to target civil servants, politicians and their relatives, and criminals

living beyond their legitimate income.

Carl Bethel QC told Tribune Business that the Unexplained Wealth Orders introduced by the Proceeds of Crime Bill, tabled in the House of Assembly yesterday, would better enable the police and

other agencies to ‘follow the money’ and bring organised criminal gangs “to their knees”.

Mr Bethel said the Bill’s contents would improve the “well-being” and security of all Bahamians.

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LIFE WITH A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Thursday, December 7, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

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SAVE The Bays (STB) has pledged its full support behind the Grand Bahama Environmental Association (GBEA) for the relocation of residents affected by industrial pollution and to raise awareness of its association with health-related illnesses and deaths in Grand Bahama.

Joseph Darville, chairman of STB, believes the plight of residents in the affected communities has not being taken seriously by successive governments.

In addition to chemical emissions, the environmental and human rights activist claims that millions of gallons of spilled oil have settled underground, contaminating fresh water in Pinder’s Point and the other surrounding settlements near the industrial plants.

“It is really dangerous and criminal to allow residents to live in those areas and suffer on a daily basis,” Mr Darville said.

“One of the rights that every Bahamian has according to international law is to be able to breathe fresh air and to have clean water and these are being denied the people in those areas. The people should not be subjected to common residency in such a situation.”

The STB chairman claimed Edward St George, the late chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, shared with him the extent of the industrial pollution in Grand Bahama.

He said three months before Mr St George died, he revealed to him there were millions of gallons of oil spilled under the ground in the whole area.

“We were having a conversation and he said: ‘Joe Darville, I should have listened to you when you complained so persistently about the industrial area and what the people were subjected to’.”

It was Mr Darville’s initial activism and protests in the 1980s that were instrumental in the relocation of schools from the area.

After the Grand Bahama Catholic High was granted permission to relocate by the Catholic Board of Education, land was provided by the Grand Bahama Port Authority. He continued his advocacy to Mr St George and Sir Jack Hayward to remove all of the schools out of the area.

“The fact that I was relentless in getting the schools relocated was what had convinced him (Mr St George). Edward shared with me that they dug a number of wells in that area all way to South Bahamia

JOSEPH DARVILLE and said every well they dug came up saturated with oil,” Mr Darville said.

Mr Darville noted in any country that has environmental protection laws, companies would have been required to construct underground barriers to stop oil spills from the storage tanks.

“Mr St George said that was not done, and he said that oil will continue to saturate to the area which means those people are living under a time bomb,” Mr Darville claimed. “If there was a catastrophic fire or explosion in that industrial area that whole area of Pinder’s Point, Lewis Yard, Hunters, and Mack Town, would be blown to smithereens.”

Mr Darville also believes the prolonged exposure to industrial pollution could be linked with several cancer-related illnesses and deaths in Grand Bahama.

He supports the stance taken by the GBEA when it rejected a report of the findings of an environmental and health risk assessment study conducted by the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) that there are no health risks posed to residents living near the industrial plants.

“People should not be living there,” Mr Darville said. “If one person dies from cancer because of the pollution in that area that is (enough) to have people removed from living (there) or students going to school there.”

He reported more than a dozen of the 98 students from his 1982 class have died. “Fourteen of them have predeceased me, and reports from the doctors of 12 of them said they had died of cancer.”

He said that he too has had his brush with cancer.

“In 2010, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. However, in connection with that there was a tumour in my bladder and when the biopsy report came back the first question one of the oncologists asked me was, ‘did you smoke all of your life?’ I said ‘no.’ He asked, ‘did you work or live around an industrial area?’

I said ‘yes.’ I was principal for 10 years in that area before school removed.”

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THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 7, 2017, PAGE 3

MP denies kickback slur

from page one

“This is the political arena that we’re in,” Mr Robinson said. “I’ve heard a number of assertions during the course of my political journey. I’m not exempted from any political attack or nature of whatever allegation is out there.

I stand firm that those statements are false.”

Asked if he ever extorted anyone, the first time MP said: “Absolutely not.”

Asked if he had authority to issue contracts to anyone, he said: “I won’t speak to whether or not I had authority to issue contracts in Bain Town but in reference to the specific issue, it’s false and fabricated.”

Asked about an alleged

meeting with Mr Turnquest to address the claims, he said: “There was no meeting with the DPM on this issue. (The allegations) were a total shocker to me. I understand we’re in a political climate and the operators would do whatever is necessary to attack myself, my character and whatever it might be but I stand firm on my statement that this was fabricated.”

Mr Robinson said “should the need arise” he would take legal action against those perpetuating the falsehoods.

“I’m certainly open to it, but at this time my effort and energy will be continue to focus on Bain and Grants Town and I have no intention to run behind false

accusations,” he said.

He said he found out about the allegations yesterday morning.

“Someone sent me a WhatsApp on it. I looked it and I simply laughed…

I knew it was totally fabricated. I’m surprised to see the extent at which someone would go to tarnish or jeopardise someone.”

He noted that he spends his entire MP salary of $28,000 in his constituency.

“My MP salary in fact, I spend all of it inside the Bain and Grants Town constituency,” he said. “Many people would note the struggles Bain and Grants Town continues to have and I have committed myself personally to ensuring that my MP salary goes 100 per cent to my constituency.”

MEMBER of Parliament for Bain and Grants Town Travis Robinson.

PLP ACTION ALMOST LED TO BLACKLIST from page one

Ahead of debate and passage in the House of Assembly of legislation to “protect and boost” financial services in the country, Dr Minnis said while the industry had been under threat for some time, the Free National Movement, once it took office in May, found a sector in deeper trouble than anticipated because of the PLP’s negligence.

The prime minister said the Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information Amendment Bill, the Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information Amendment Regulations and the International Tax Co-operation (Amendment) Bill are extremely important to the country and its international image.

Failure to comply in this regard could affect the lifestyle Bahamians are accustomed to, Finance Minister K Peter Turnquest added when debate began in the House of Assembly on Thursday.

He said on its basic level, the passage of the bills related to the fact most Bahamians want to continue to earn foreign currency, importing food, furniture, oils and other items used daily without constraints or having to resort to black markets and other nefarious routes.

Meanwhile, PLP Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin said while she supported the bills, the government must pursue “equity” for Bahamians.

The House debated the amendments as the government seeks to satisfy requirements for ratifying the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters, something Mr Turnquest is expected to sign when he visits San Marino next week.

“Despite the PLP administration’s claim of being for the people, its lacklustre and late-again approach to dealing with this very important part of the economy was about to land us in the very same position that caused a previous FNM administration to have to prevent the country from being blacklisted,” Dr Minnis said in a press statement yesterday morning.

“Since the election, the government has been working to get our economy back on track. Strengthening and growing our economy will lead to better paying jobs and greater job security.”

He added: “These bills and regulations are extremely important to our country and our image on the international stage.

These bills will enable The Bahamas to satisfy the requirements to ensure that we meet various international standards.

“These bills also place us in a position to ratify the multinational Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance Tax Matters, and the full implementation of the Common Reporting Standard, while enhancing the framework to allow for the automatic exchange of financial account information.

“As important, this legislation will prevent The

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff Bahamas from being placed on the European Union’s list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes, meaning that we will not be blacklisted after enacting this suite of legislation.”

Dr Minnis said after years of economic mismanagement, his government was starting to make headway in turning around the country’s economic prospects.

The Bahamas, the prime minister said, cannot risk setbacks like being blacklisted by other countries.

When he addressed the House of Assembly yesterday to move the legislation, Mr Turnquest, the deputy prime minister said the bills had been widely circulated and consulted on.

The package of legislation is aimed at enhancing the legal framework to allow for the automatic exchange of financial account information by September 2018 and to prevent The Bahamas from being placed on the European Unit’s list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes (blacklisted).

Mr Turnquest said it seemed The Bahamas was constantly having to amend laws to adapt to the everchanging international demand for co-operation and transparency in tax matters.

Recently the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), concluded

non-compliant nations would be sent “strong signals” to encourage positive changes leading to the removal of the jurisdiction from the blacklist.

He said: “The OECD and its member states, are deadly serious about the actions

they intend to take, with talk of ‘defensive’ measures to be implemented against what they deem non cooperative jurisdictions to encourage compliance with their wishes.

“Considering our need for FDI, foreign currency and corresponding banking relationships to effect cross border trade or to import food, oil, etc, the reality is we have little choice but to comply in a responsible way, which bring us to the bills being presented today.”

“I want to say again that I know for the average man out there that this is complicated that you don’t necessarily understand how this relates to you because you are trying to make your hustle every day (and saying) this has nothing to do with you.

“But I want to encourage you to appreciate on its basic level that this relates to the fact that you want to be able to earn foreign currency. That you want to be able to import food, furniture, oils (and) whatever the items that you use in your daily lives freely and consistently without obstruction, without having to resort to black markets and other nefarious routes in order to pay for those goods. This really is about all of us not just the financial services industry and our need to insure we protect our financial institutions.”

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THE TRIBUNE

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Repercussions of Jerusalem decision JERUSALEM (AP) — President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital on Wednesday could have deep repercussions across the region.

Recognition of Israel’s control over the city will be welcomed by Israel, a close American ally, and be popular with pro-Israel evangelical Christian voters who make up a key part of Trump’s base. But it could also trigger violence in the region, derail a developing US Mideast peace plan before it even gets off the ground and infuriate key allies in the Arab world and in the West.

Here is a look at why Jerusalem is such a sensitive issue: CONFLICTING CLAIMS Israel claims all of Jerusalem as its capital, while the Palestinians claim the city’s eastern sector, captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war, as the capital of a future independent state. These rival claims lie at the heart of the decadeslong Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The conflict is focused largely on the Old City, home to Jerusalem’s most important Jewish, Christian and Muslim holy sites, and in particular on a hilltop compound revered by Jews and Muslims. The compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, is the spot where the biblical Jewish Temples stood thousands of years ago and is considered the holiest site in Judaism. Today, it is home to the Al Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam, and the iconic gold-topped Dome of the Rock.

While Israel controls the city and its government is based there, its annexation of east Jerusalem is not internationally recognised.

The international community overwhelmingly says the final status of Jerusalem should be resolved through negotiations.

WHY IS TRUMP DOING THIS? On the campaign trail, Trump took a strongly pro-Israel stance and promised to relocate the US Embassy from Tel Aviv, where most countries keep their embassies, to Jerusalem. Since taking office, he has learned that such a move is easier to talk about than to carry out.

Under American law, the president must sign a waiver every six months that leaves the embassy in Tel Aviv. In June, Trump renewed the waiver, as a string of predecessors has done. This week, another six-month deadline passed without Trump renewing it.

On Wednesday, however, Trump ordered the State Department to begin the multi-year process of moving the US Embassy to the holy city.

“This is nothing more or less than the recognition of reality,” he said.

Recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital could allow Trump to say that he kept a campaign promise. It also will thrill Israel, whose prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is one of Trump’s biggest supporters on the global stage.

WHAT EFFECT WILL HIS DECLARATION HAVE? On the ground, very little will change.

Netanyahu’s office and official residence are in Jerusalem, as are the country’s parliament, Supreme Court and Foreign Ministry. Visiting world leaders immediately travel to Jerusalem for meetings

with Israeli officials.

Much of Jerusalem is an open city where Jews and Palestinians can move about freely, though a separation barrier built by Israel more than a decade ago slices through several Arab neighborhoods and requires tens of thousands of Palestinians to pass through crowded checkpoints to reach the center of the city.

Interaction between the sides is minimal and there are large disparities between wealthier Jewish neighborhoods and impoverished Palestinian ones. In addition, most of the city’s more than 300,000 Palestinians do not hold Israeli citizenship and instead are “residents”.

But a US declaration carries deep symbolic meaning by essentially imposing a solution for one of the core issues in the conflict.

HOW WILL THIS BE RECEIVED? Beyond the electoral concerns, there seems to be little upside for Trump in making a change.

Trump likes to call an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement “the ultimate deal”, and he has invested significant effort in laying the groundwork for a peace initiative in the coming months.

His son-in-law and close adviser, Jared Kushner, is leading that effort and a close aide, Jason Greenblatt, has crisscrossed the region for talks with Israelis, Palestinians and other Arab leaders.

The Palestinians have warned that changing the status of Jerusalem would mean the end of those peace efforts.

They also have warned of mass street protests — something that could easily erupt into full-scale violence.

International opposition to the move, including from key American allies, also has grown increasingly strident.

In recent days, the European Union, Germany and France have all implored Trump not to take action on Jerusalem.

The 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation said changing Jerusalem’s status would amount to “naked aggression” against the Arab and Muslim world, and the head of the Arab League said it would be a “dangerous measure that would have repercussions” across the entire Middle East.

Perhaps most significantly, Saudi Arabia spoke out strongly against the possible American step. The Saudis are a key American ally necessary for any attempt to forge a region-wide peace.

WILL THERE REALLY BE VIOLENCE? Israeli security officials say they are monitoring the situation and prepared for all scenarios. Israel and the Palestinians also maintain discreet security ties in the West Bank that have helped prevent violence from escalating in recent years.

Still, much of the violence between Israel and the Palestinians in Jerusalem and the West Bank over the past 20 years has been connected to tensions in the holy city.

The city experienced deadly riots in 1996 after Israel opened a new tunnel in the Old City. The second Palestinian uprising erupted in 2000 after thenopposition leader Ariel Sharon visited the Temple Mount.

By Josef Federman, Associated Press

Talk show babble EDITOR, The Tribune.

THERE has to be concern as to the content or lack of content of Radio Talk Shows - it seems anyone can babble along spouting garbage and the garbage is perceived as true and factual.

Can the Minister of Investment advise the public once and for all whether there is any economic betterment that can be achieved from the further sale of Aragonite?

Once the good Minister has made a statement then please those chronic Talk Show callers desist and stop talking your rubbish.

Creation of Sea salt - yes we have Inagua we had Salt Pond, Long Island, but

those Talk Show callers suggest making Sea Salt wiIl be major item of commerce to bolster the economy. If you did research you will discover that Inagua is located in the most ideal climatic location unlike the Salt Pond closed project. If making sea Salt was so easy why aren’t there plants all over the islands? Doesn’t that tell you something?

Many are encouraged by the Commerce Bill but do not look back at the 58 years of experience in Grand Bahama –The Free Port zone of Grand Bahama and the Hawksbill Agreement.

When last did you hear of a new industry opening up in GB? There are ultimate concessions - massive

level of superior infrastructure and no one has been for years attracted. I ask the obvious - why would anyone want to better Freeport, Grand Bahama, which has failed on two accounts – failed to be an industrial or touristic centre.

The chronic Talk Show callers need to admit are they employed (I wonder if they are as they spend so much time on the Talk Shows they surely can’t be).

The bottom line average Bahamian can’t borrow capital or has capital to invest to create a business even in a new Investment Zone.

ABRAHAM MOSS Nassau, December 5, 2017.

Illegal immigrants must go EDITOR, The Tribune.

MAN’S natural instinct to survive is essentially a selfish instinct, which often disregards fairness, equity or equality especially when the environment in which we live in is filled with corruption “Private gain at public expense”.

What have our society come to that approximately 250 Haitians (illegal immigrants) could just disappear. It is obvious they were assisted and are being hidden until the hot pursuit dies down.

I am fed up of articles in the newspaper about the inhumane treatment of the Haitians, what about what the Pure Born Bahamians have to put up with.

The horrible stench/smell of these Haitian nationals, the diseases we Bahamians are being exposed to (when since we have any epidemic of tuberculosis, dengue fever, etc) You go to the hospital for treatment or have to be admitted in PMH, no beds because guess who have them occupied (the Haitians), go into the educational system no space for the Bahamian children because guess what (the Haitians) have their children there, bearing in mind they are illegal. The Haitian children on the lunch programmes at school and their parents intentionally send them to school without lunch so the government can feed them (tax payers).

If Mr Fred Smith is so concerned about the Haitians? Why doesn’t Mr Smith go to Haiti, invest in their country, build up their country and teach them how to stay in their own country. God gave The Bahamas to Bahamians to manage, to cultivate, to dominate in our areas of gifting in The Bahamas economy not foreigners who are benefiting from our country and building the economy of their country send them back to their country.

People are talking about the inhumane treatment of Haitians at the detention centre, how about treating and putting Bahamians

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net first for a change. If anyone comes here illegally, they are criminals and the three DDDs’ should apply to them. Once they are Disobedient to our laws (entering our country illegally), they are then Detained (detention centre) and then they are Deported (out of our country). End Of Story.

These illegal immigrants are law breakers, they squatting on people’s land/ properties (which is trespassing, they are raiding people’s’ farms (which is stealing), they are breaking into people’s homes (robbery) they come to the hospital for treatment talking about they do not have any money (stealing again) they are a nuisance to the government systems and to The Bahamas on the whole they are liabilities, not assets.

Can Bahamians go in any other country and talk about they squatting on people land and you cannot get them off? Please tell what country does that. If these foreigners love their countries so so very much, having flag day and want to celebrate their independence in our country (do you see the United States have any big parade on the street of Nassau) they will be closed and have their private celebrations in their homes or at the US Ambassador residence, but you do not see them parading or asking for their celebrations to be held on Clifford Park where our Bahamian celebrations are held.

If you love your countries so much, why don’t you go to Haiti, some of these illegals who have these flags on their cars and talking about my country this and my country that, never even been to their so-called country. Please do the Bahamians a big favour and go back to your countries that you all cherish and love so much, especially (Haitians and Jamaicans).

I hope the Prime Minister

is serious about deporting these illegals, if they are not gone by December 31, 2017, it is really needed. I will tell you about an experience I had (there are many), but I will just mention this one.

On a Saturday, me and my nephew went downtown to do some shopping, I decided to stop at Manilla Grill a Filipino restaurant located on Elizabeth Avenue to get something to eat, it was crowded with Filipinos all sitting down eating, when me and my nephew entered all eyes were on us and we stood there for a good ten minutes and nobody came and asked “May I help you” so we left. On another occasion I was on my lunch hour again I went in there for something to eat, not once did anybody came and ask “May I help you”. I felt as if I was a foreigner in my own country, my nephew asked why were we treated like that? I could not even explain it to him, I simply said that is how some people are. I told him he just experienced racial prejudice in our own country where we were born.

The story does not end there, I went there a third time and thou and behold only three people were in that restaurant (this is after Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis made the announcement that by December 31, 2017, all illegals must go) they are in hiding, they need to go also.

Let me end with this, the word of God says in 1 Corinthians 3: 18 “Do not deceive yourselves, if any of you think you are wise by the standard of this age” In verse 19 it states “God catches the wise in their craftiness”. Bahamians please, please, please stop selling out your country for couple dollars in the Bible people like you all are called “greedy and swindlers” “I love my country The Bahamas, let us preserve our heritage The Bahamas for Bahamians”.

NO NAME Nassau, November, 2017.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 7, 2017, PAGE 5

Teacher murder police beat us too from page one He said he was forced to give a false confession, despite him denying knowledge of the crime when initially questioned by officers.

“I was stomped in the head, I was fish-bagged, I was stomped in the balls, repeatedly,” he said from the witness box.

The court later heard how his co-accused Armando Sergeant was allegedly given a proposal by police so that he would identify one of his co-accused, a teenager, as the shooter in the crime.

When he took the witness stand, Sergeant said the investigating officer in the matter made a proposal for him to say the teen shot the deceased, which he said he denied because he said he knew nothing about the matter.

Sergeant said after doing so, he was beaten and fishbagged by officers to coerce him to comply. He said the investigating officer made him sign the documents pertaining to the initial interview, the contents of which were not true.

“He beat me to say them,” he said of the investigating officer. “I tell him I ain’t know nothing about this.”

Nonetheless, Sergeant later said when he was arraigned for McIntosh’s murder on November 23, 2015, he was charged with three murders. However, Sergeant said the other two murder charges were later dropped.

According to Mackey, on November 13, 2015, he was at home sleeping when officers kicked down his door and came to the room where he was sleeping. One officer, he said, threw him to the ground and stomped on his head.

Mackey said the left side of his head became swollen as a result, but did not bleed.

Mackey said he was subsequently taken to CDU and questioned about his whereabouts. He said he told officers he was at a bar drinking and smoking, then left to go to his aunt’s house for something to eat.

He said they questioned him about the murder, which he denied any knowledge of, and subsequently signed a statement.

Mackey said he was released from police custody on November 18, 2015 at 3am. He said he went home and took a bath at 4am. But by the time he came back outside, he said a number of police cars were there waiting for him.

He was arrested that night and taken to the Wulff Road Police Station and taken to CDU the next day. He was again questioned on the matter while there, but again denied any knowledge of the incident.

However, Mackey said officers told him that wasn’t what they wanted to hear, and that they would tell

him what they wanted him to say. He said he was subsequently fish-bagged and kicked repeatedly in his genital area.

Mackey further denied being the individual who was lying in the road on November 11, 2015, forcing McIntosh to swerve to avoid hitting him. He said: “I love my life too much to lay down in the road.”

Mackey also denied knowing his co-accused prior to the incident in question, stating while he is familiar with people from the Kemp Road area, he only really knows those who are in his “set” or age group.

“I 25,” Mackey said, referring to his age at the time of the incident. “They little boys to me. What I doing with them?”

When pressed by Crown prosecutor Viola Barnett on the validity of his claims, particularly the allegation he was the one laying in the road, Mackey countered by saying: “You could check my record ma’am. The only thing I get lock up for is drugs. I don’t do these types of things.”

Prior to Sergeant taking the witness stand, his attorney David Cash, in an opening address to the jury, said Sergeant was being questioned for other matters while being questioned in connection to this one, and was promised the others would be withdrawn if he accepted the proposal.

Mr Cash further submitted that McIntosh’s murder was and still is a “high profile case,” and after a week had passed following the murder and the investigating officer not locating any witnesses, the officer opted to make the proposal to Sergeant to identify the teen as the shooter.

When he took the witness stand, Sergeant said he was at home with his mother and his girlfriend on the night in question, and was there all day straight into the night.

He also denied being a part of a plan to shoot or rob anybody, stating that he had no need to steal McIntosh’s car because he has a car of his own.

Sergeant said he was arrested by officers while leaving the Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza on November 17, a Wednesday. He said he saw a number of police cars drive past him, from one of which an officer in a ski mask jumped out and said his boss BK Bonaby wanted to see him.

Sergeant said he was then arrested and placed in the back of a van that featured a cage. Sergeant told the court that no one beat him during his initial arrest.

However, Sergeant said he was taken to CDU the same day of his arrest, where he was taken into a certain room and beaten by officers. He said he wasn’t handcuffed at first, and was beaten with a stick on both of his shoulders.

He said he was then handcuffed with his hands

THREE MEN SHOT NEAR PARK POLICE have launched an island-wide manhunt for the suspect responsible for a shooting that left three men in hospital on Tuesday, December 5.

Shortly before 9pm, police received a report that three men were in the area of a park at Nicholls Court in Yellow Elder Gardens when they were approached by a male armed with a firearm. The gunmen shot the victims before fleeing the scene.

The victims were taken to hospital where they remain in stable condition.

Police also said a man

was arrested after officers found a gun, ammunition and marijuana near a car wash in the area of Mackey and Primrose Streets.

Shortly after 1pm on Tuesday, Anti-Gang and Firearms Unit officers and officers of the North Eastern Division, acting on information, went into the aforementioned area and conducted a search of a property. Police said they recovered a Glock 21 pistol, 13 rounds of ammunition and a quantity of marijuana.

Investigations are ongoing.

behind his back and placed on his stomach, and subsequently fish-bagged. He said he managed to bite through the first plastic bag in a desperate attempt to get air, but they doubled it with another bag.

Sergeant said he felt like he “was gone dead” as a result of the limited air supply.

He said while this was going on, he was “wiggling” in an attempt to resist the bagging, which resulted in him turning on to his right side. He said police then dragged him across the rug, resulting in him receiving an “abrasion” above his right elbow.

Yesterday’s proceedings are the latest in the murder trial of the fourth-grade teacher.

It is alleged the teenager, who was 17 at the time of the incident, along with Mackey of Bonaby Alley and Sergeant of Kemp Road, attempted to rob McIntosh at gunpoint of her 2009 silver coloured Toyota Corolla worth $6,000.

It is alleged that during the failed carjacking, the victim was shot multiple times in her head and body.

She later crashed into a wall at the intersection of Parkgate and Village Roads.

All three have denied the allegations.

Viola Barnett and Akeyra Saunders represent the Crown. Dorsey McPhee and Sonia Timothy are the other two defence attorneys on record, representing Mackey and the teenager, respectively.

The trial continues.

BRISSON Jean outside court yesterday.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

SUSPECT ACCUSED OF MURDER

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was arraigned in Magistrates Court yesterday over allegations he murdered another man in late 2016.

Brisson Jean, 32, of Palm Beach Estates was charged with one count of murder in connection with the September 2016 killing of Antoine Piette Arty.

He was not required to enter a plea and the matter was adjourned to February 1, 2018, for

service of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS) in the interim.

Meanwhile, three men, including a Royal Bahamas Defence Force marine, were arraigned in Magistrates Court yesterday on firearm and ammunition related charges.

Anthony Jennings, 23, of Bel-Air Estates and Jason Nottage, 35, of Kemp Road, charged together, each pled not guilty to the charges

against them and the matter was adjourned to February 6, 2018, for trial.

They were remanded to the BDCS in the interim.

Kenron Gibson, 42, of Parker Street, was also charged with one count of possession of an unlicenced firearm and one count of possession of ammunition.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and the matter was adjourned to February 26, 2018, for trial. He too was remanded to the BDCS in the interim.

PAGE 6, Thursday, December 7, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Lawyers support Smith on Detention Centre access

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net TOP lawyers yesterday came to attorney Fred Smith’s defence after he was thrown out of the Detention Centre on Monday and denied access to his client.

Minister of State of Legal Affairs Elsworth Johnson told reporters outside the House of Assembly yesterday while he does not know the details surrounding Mr Smith’s incident, it is unconstitutional for a lawyer to be prevented from seeing a client.

“Having access to an attorney that is enshrined in our Constitution,” the former Bar Association president said.

“It’s is the basis for the rule of law and so essential to it that the Constitution accepts that the court is responsible for the protection of fundamental rights for the interpretation for all laws and the reason the Constitution sets up that right for someone to have access to a lawyer is that through that, persons are able to intelligently bring their complaints of the breach of any rights of the lawyer of their choosing

ATTORNEY Fred Smith pictured at the Detention Centre on Tuesday after being removed from the facility the day before.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff through the courts or advo- which our democracy is should that be curtailed.” after he was blocked from cate for the protection of built. So, the right to have On Monday, Mr Smith seeing detainee Jean Rony those rights,” he said. a lawyer is fundamental was physically removed Jean-Charles.

“That is the basis upon and only in extreme reasons from the Detention Centre In an interview after the incident, Mr Smith said he went to the Detention Centre at 10am to see his client. On arrival, Mr Smith said he was given the run around after first being told to wait and then instructed to “make an appointment” at the Immigration Department on Hawkins Hill in order to see the detainee.

After exchanging words with immigration officers, Mr Smith was asked to leave the property, and after refusing, he was forcibly removed.

Videos of the altercation went viral on social media.

Bahamas Bar Association President Kahlil Parker in a letter addressed to association members, said after reviewing the footage of Mr Smith at the Detention Centre, he is requesting an investigation “forthwith”.

“A detained person’s constitutional right to retain, instruct, and consult an attorney of his/her own choosing without delay is a fundamental tenet of our democracy. The arbitrary abrogation of constitutional rights must be resisted with vigour,” Mr Parker wrote.

“As attorneys, we are duty bound to stand in the breach for our fellow human beings and to remind those in whom we, however briefly, entrust the coercive power of the state that any person in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas enjoys certain fundamental constitutional and human rights.”

On Tuesday, member of Parliament for Long Island Adrian Gibson told The Tribune he stands with Mr Smith, because he too was turned away from the Detention Centre and not allowed to see his client last year.

“I was stopped from seeing my client at the Detention Centre last year around this same time,” Mr Gibson, an attorney, said.

“So I stand with Mr Smith. No one should be denied legal counsel whether they are at the prison or the Detention Centre. Everyone, whether Bahamian or illegal, is entitled to have equal access to justice and legal counsel and to be denied that is a breach of the Constitution.

Senior advocate Damian Gomez QC also defended Mr Smith.

“We live in a democracy which protects each of us whether citizens or tourists or others, from unlawful activity of the State. It is disturbing to see on social media a report that the authorities at the Detention Center prevented Mr Frederick Smith,QC from visiting a client detained at this facility,” said Mr Gomez.

“All criminals and suspected criminals including illegal aliens are entitled to access to Justice which includes access to legal counsel of their choice at their expense. There are Bahamians who have been wrongfully detained at this facility. We must be vigilant to ensure that the rights of all persons are duly protected in our democracy.”

On Wednesday, Immigration Director William Pratt told The Tribune an appointment is not needed to see anyone at the Detention Centre as long as the visitor shows up during visiting hours.

Government officials have also said Mr Smith’s client was not at the Detention Centre when he showed up to visit him.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 7, 2017, PAGE 7

WASTE WORKERS STRIKE THREAT FOR CHRISTMAS from page one

During a press conference at the House of Labour yesterday, Bahamas General Workers Union (BGWU) President Dr Thomas Bastian warned workers were now ready to “park those trucks” at any moment in protest of minimal medical provisions and alleged hazardous conditions.

Dr Bastian earlier this week confirmed the BGWU was now the primary bargaining agent for workers at Bahamas Waste Ltd and has been granted leave to negotiate an industrial agreement on their behalf.

Workers claim they have, on several occasions over the past two years, petitioned the company to discuss shortfalls and substandard procedural practices.

On Wednesday, The Tribune published claims by three employees who detailed a company culture that placed employees in conditions they at some point have protested.

Dr Bastian told reporters yesterday: “In March of this last year, a number of (workers) wrote a memorandum to the company, management that is, requesting a meeting to express their concerns about the hazardous conditions, no increases

and other conditions of employment. The management held a meeting, and I am informed by (the workers) that management told them in a meeting, ‘don’t raise anything about any increases or benefit’ and shut them down.”

He continued: “So there is no platform to which the workers have to raise question about the conditions of employment on their side where the management may not know, because once they are drivers, they leave the company driving and out there, they face all sorts of difficulty.

“So the union was consulted by them. They joined the union. As a result of that, we move to ask for

recognition. They refused our recognition. They went to the court on two occasions to de-certify the union from registration and they lose on every occasion. And they are still refusing today to meet.”

According to Dr Bastian and various documents provided, Bahamas Waste Ltd requested an extension on the Department of Labour’s initial ruling which mandated its management team meet with the union within 45 days.

That extension, which was granted, provided the company with an additional 33 days to meet with the union.

That subsequent deadline was also allowed to pass.

Dr Bastian said the BGWU was finally approached by Bahamas Waste Ltd last Friday and presented with a bargaining document that was absent both pay and benefits schedules.

“They only want to shoot marbles,” he asserted.

Dr Bastian added the union wrote to Minister of Labour Dion Foulkes on December 5 saying Bahamas Waste employees have requested an official to oversee a strike vote at the House of Labour on December 15.

Dr Bastian said once the union gets a certificate of a vote in favour of the union taking action, “between now and (the end of)

December, if things doesn’t go right, that company may be in a little bit of difficulty and the workers may park those trucks, walk off them and hit the picket line.”

He added: “I don’t know when that will be, but we will come to them like Nicodemus in the night. They won’t know when we take action until they wake up in the morning and find us in the streets.”

When contacted for comment yesterday, Bahamas Waste Limited’s Managing Director Francisco de Cardenas said the firm was preparing a statement for release.

The Tribune did not receive a statement up to press time.

‘Missing’ detainee was flown to Haiti

from page one

was “alive or dead” or was “illegally deported” after allegedly not being allowed to speak to him or visit him in nearly three weeks.

In an emotional interview, Clotilda Jean-Charles, 36, told The Tribune that she only wants to know what happened to her brother but no one at the Detention Centre or the Department of Immigration will give her answers.

Ms Jean-Charles said her brother, who she said was born and raised in the Bahamas to Haitian parents, was taken into custody by immigration officers during a raid on September 15.

“He was repatriated on November 24 to Haiti and the family should have known that. I am here at the headquarters on Hawkins Hill so I do not know why when they went to visit him they were not told he was sent to Haiti,” Mr Pratt said Wednesday.

“I do not know who they spoke with, so I really don’t know why there were not told. He was here illegally

and could not prove that he was here legally so he was sent home. We have discrepancies about the proof he attempted to provide but we will reserve that for the courts because his lawyer is apparently taking this to the Supreme Court. They can come and provide us with additional proof and we will allow him back in the country but if we were satisfied that he should have been here he would not have been repatriated.”

Despite an admission from Mr Pratt the Mr JeanCharles was repatriated, the family’s lawyer Fred Smith, QC, said he believes “something happened” to Mr Jean-Charles while he was at the Detention Centre.

He is asking the Department of Immigration for proof of the repatriation.

“I spoke with Mr Pratt and he told me JeanCharles was deported,” Mr Smith said. “I asked to see a deportation order. He said there was not one and that he had not been deported and that he had been repatriated. He did not tell me where but I assume to Haiti, given that Jean-Charles’ mother was from Haiti.

“I am asking for confirmation of what has happened to my client, copies of all relevant papers relating to his arrest, detention and eventual removal from The Bahamas if in fact that has occurred, confirmation of where he was sent to and confirmation that he was provided with financial means.

“In the meantime, not having any official word as to his whereabouts, I am filing a motion on my client’s behalf in respect of his right to counsel. My client was born in The Bahamas and has never travelled abroad. His family are extremely worried about him. If he has indeed been removed to Haiti, he knows nobody there and he has no means.

“Further, if, as the Department of Immigration told me that he was removed on November 24, 2017, his family are even more anxious and worried, as they have not heard from him. He has not called, he has not left any messages and he has disappeared.

“The information provided is even more troubling to the family, as the family

has been constantly attempting since September to secure Mr Jean Charles’ release and in doing so have produced various papers at the immigration building at Hawkins Hill. At no time were they told that JC was to be removed from The Bahamas.”

On Monday, Mr Smith was physically removed from the Detention Centre after he was blocked from seeing Mr Jean-Charles.

In an interview after the incident, Mr Smith said he went to the Detention Centre at 10am to see his client. On arrival, Mr Smith said he was given the run around after first being told to wait and then instructed to “make an appointment” at the Immigration Department on Hawkins Hill in order to see the detainee.

After exchanging words with immigration officers, Mr Smith was asked to leave the property, and after refusing, he was forcibly removed.

Yesterday, Mr Pratt admitted that an appointment is not needed to see anyone at the Detention Centre as long as the visitor shows up during visiting hours.

ATTORNEY Fred Smith with Clotilde Jean-Charles, sister of Jeanrony Jean-Charles.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

PAGE 8, Thursday, December 7, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

FERREIRA FENDS OFF QUESTIONS ABOUT GAZETTE ERROR

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

ENVIRONMENT Minister Romauld Ferreira spoke yesterday about the controversy surrounding a gazetted document the Minnis administration says wrongly transferred functions from him to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, although he mostly avoided giving direct answers to reporters’ questions.

The document, which Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis dismissed as “fake news” before the media revealed it was legitimate, transferred seven functions from Mr Ferreira to Dr Minnis even though

the administration has since claimed six of the matters were transferred through an error made by the Cabinet Office.

Asked for his reaction to the error, Mr Ferreira said: “All of that has been sorted out now. The Office of the Prime Minister has spoken.

It’s a done deal so not quite sure I’m understanding your question.”

Asked to address concerns the administration was not transparent about the initial transfer of the BEST Commission from his purview to the prime minister, he said: “It’s been sorted out now. The Office of the Prime Minister has spoken to it. All interactions like that have to be gazetted.”

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Asked if he believed a bigger deal was made out of the controversy than necessary, he repeated his refrain: “Well I think it’s all been sorted out now. The Office of the Prime Minister has commented on it. I’ll say nothing further beyond that.”

Asked to respond to the Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) scepticism of the administration’s explanation, specifically Official Opposition leader Philip “Brave” Davis’ contention that all the matters transferred according to the original gazette fit naturally in a package alongside the BEST Commission and therefore should logically be attached, he said: “Do I dispute anything that the leader of the Opposition says? All of this has been sorted out. The Office of the Prime Minister has dealt with it. I’m perfectly comfortable and functioning in my capacity. If you want to inquire about what the Leader of the Opposition means or thinks, I think you should ask him.”

Asked to respond to concerns about whether he had legal authority to deal with matters that were “wrongfully” transferred from him to Dr Minnis, he said: “…

The Office of the Prime Minister has cleared that up. There’s nothing further I could say. We’re working in the Ministry of Environment on behalf of all the people. At the end of the day, the Bahamian people will be satisfied with our performance.”

Asked why he said

MINISTER of Enviroment and Housing Romauld Ferreira. nothing about the matter previously, the Marathon MP said: “I wasn’t here.

You talking to me now. The Office of the Prime Minister has addressed the issue. I’m perfectly satisfied with that.”

Asked if he saw the gazetted document prior to the eruption of controversy, he said he was “not sure” and added: “I know that after the events hit the news the Office of the Prime Minister spoke to it. We were working nonetheless. It was no diminish in enthusiasm in my responsibilities. We look to work on behalf of the the Bahamian people.”

Asked if he and Dr Minnis spoke about transferring the BEST Commission out of his portfolio before the transfer occurred, he said: “I’m sure that you can appreciate that the Office of the Prime Minister has spoken on it.

I’m satisfied with the explanation. We’re pressing on.

We’re working on behalf of all Bahamians making it a better country. I really want to talk about the expression

of interest (at the New Providence Landfill) actually; talk about what’s happening in the ministry.

This expression of interest is actually very important.

It’s a key component. It’s a cornerstone of what we want to achieve in the big three, which is remediation in the landfill, remediation at Clifton Pier and addressing the legislative gaps in our legislation. Those are the big three so I’m also available to talk about those three.”

Asked if he wants the matter to be probed to determine how the gazetted document contained errors, he said: “You know what I’m interested in? I’m interested in carrying out my mandate as the minister of environment. I’m interested in dealing with the three pressing issues that the country is facing, that is remediation of landfill, the Clifton Pier site and the legislative vacuum that exists.”

Asked if he was concerned the functions were wrongly transferred,

he said: “Was I concerned?

I always knew that the Office of the Prime Minister would address these matters. I’m satisfied that they’ve been addressed. I don’t see how I could help you further.”

The document in question showed that in August, seven matters had been transferred from the portfolio of Mr Ferreira to the Office of the Prime Minister. Portions of the three page document were circulated on social media at the end of last month.

Last week, Press Secretary Anthony Newbold said Dr Minnis had not seen the document when he dismissed it as “fake news” in a short interview with reporters on Saturday, November 25, but had merely assumed the document claimed there was “wholesale transfer of responsibilities from Mr Ferreira to him with the intent to demote (Mr Ferreira).”

Mr Newbold said the only function transferred to Dr Minnis is responsibility for the Bahamas Environmental Science and Technology (BEST) Commission. The other matters - the Plant Protection Act, wild animal and bird protection, natural history specimens, relations with national and international organisations on matters relating to the environment, international convention, treaties, protocols and agreements relating to the environment and reef and blue holes - were not transferred to the prime minister as the gazetted document says, according to Mr Newbold.

SIR HARTMAN TO LEAD APPEAL COURT

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

CHIEF Justice Sir Hartman Longley will replace Court of Appeal President Justice Dame Anita Allen when she retires later this

month, The Tribune has learned.

As Sir Hartman’s appointment will then create a vacancy, Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs is slated to be appointed as acting chief justice, a wellplaced source in the Minnis administration told The Tribune.

In January, during the annual special sitting of the Court of Appeal, Dame Anita confirmed she was set to retire from the bench on December 21.

Dame Anita said the appellate court had much to be proud of for the work accomplished since her appointment with the help of colleagues and staff.

The appellate president attributed the court’s high level of performance to the work of registrars, judicial

research counsel secretaries and staff at the court.

“Today marks the beginning of my long goodbye.

Mistress ‘time’ and master ‘constitution’ so mandate and it is almost time to go. Indeed, this is the last opening of the legal year over which I shall preside,” Dame Anita said at the time.

“My retirement on December 21, 2017, after 21 years in the judiciary will be an occasion of some personal sadness for me but I take great comfort in knowing that I did my very best and took advantage of every opportunity to make a difference in the administration of justice,” the appellate president added.

The Cabinet Office confirmed in February that Sir Hartman would continue as

the country’s top judge for another two years.

Sir Hartman had previously announced he and Justice Rhonda Bain were set to reach the mandatory retirement age in February and April this year respectively, adding the latter had made an application for an extension to continue as a judge of the Supreme Court.

A statement issued

by Cabinet Office in February noted that in accordance with Article 96 (1) of the Constitution, Governor-General Dame Marguerite Pindling, acting on the recommendation of then-Prime Minister Perry Christie, after consultation with then-Leader of the Official Opposition Loretta Butler-Turner, extended Sir Hartman’s appointment.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 7, 2017, PAGE 9

A CHANGE of view - a look from above at the 22nd annual International Cultural Wine and Food Festival earlier this year, thanks to Tribune photographer Terrel W. Carey.

Picture this - life with a different perspective P

HOTOGRAPHERS must be about the luckiest people in the world. When they don’t like the view they see, they can change a lens. 50mm to wide angle, 100mm to panoramic, 400mm to capture the hair on a hare. The price they pay is lugging all that special equipment around, tripod, camera bag, backdrop, cords and cables.

But what a deal – a tiny bit of heavy lifting for the ability to create the view you want when it was not there the first time you looked at it, like magic in a leather bag.

Unlike cameras and video, we mortal humans believe the perspective we have is fixed. We are singular in our view, as if we were handed a lens and with only a modicum of filtering – what we read in the morning papers, what we see online, what we hear from friends or on radio we look at life through it. A single lens life. This is how we see things so this is how they must be. Sometimes we refer to perspective as opinion. That’s why we say things like “You’re entitled to your opinion,” meaning of course that your opinion is not the right one.

But if you think about it, you realise opinion is just perspective influenced by experience and if that is the case, while you cannot influence your past experience, you can alter the way you viewed it.

Just as an aside and feel free to skip this paragraph if time is short, this is the stuff that keeps me awake at night. It’s especially hard to sleep, or hard for me to sleep, when my mind races and there is a full moon or a super moon. I am alone with my thoughts. The moon is a renewable source of mental energy. Its light floods the room through high, naked glass panes. It casts shadows. I resume the premise: Suppose you could alter your perspective and suppose you could do it at will.

A lot of people do. We may not think of it in those terms but occasionally we hear or read about it. In the 1980s, Esquire magazine uncovered the ability to alter life by how you look at it in an issue devoted to a single subject, work. The cover read “What are you doing for the rest of your life?”

As reporters and writers interviewed the famous and not so famous to see how they felt about their jobs and their lives given the jobs or careers they had, they discovered something which surprised them.

More and more people with

By Diane Phillips perfectly fine jobs living in perfectly respectable neighbourhoods raising what appeared to be perfectly adjusted children were quitting their perfectly acceptable and predictable life.

A few of them simply woke up one day and said they wanted a change. They were not dissatisfied with their jobs. They did not dislike their supervisor or find the people they worked with distasteful. For the most part, they enjoyed the work. They did not want a divorce from their spouse.

They just wanted more out of life. So they were doing the unthinkable. Even with kids in college, they were leaving their perfectly perfect jobs for the unknown.

It turned out that work wasn’t so bad. It just got in the way of living. And these surprising interviewees had done exactly what the photographer does. They were not satisfied with the picture in front of them so they were prepared to change it.

Not all the changes led to lives of fresh strawberries and double clotted cream.

Some who made the bold move faced recriminations.

It tended to be easier if the spouse were earning a good living and agreed that one of them needed a new lens on life.

If they could do it, we could, too. But change is scary. Changing sleep patterns depending on the moon is one thing. Thinking about a career about-face or starting a new life in a completely different environment is another. My guess, and it is no more than that, is that creative people are the least likely to desire change, but just wish there was less pressure. Writers really do not have a choice.

We are glued, attached, hooked on and married to words and cannot imagine life without them from the time we first form a sentence that satisfies or touch a keyboard and magic appears on a monitor. We cannot fathom not having a story to tell and trying to find a good way to tell it.

For the majority of folks whose careers or life paths lie outside the creative arts, there are keys to greater satisfaction that I believe are vastly underexplored and within every single person’s reach, regardless of age, financial status or

education. Both connect you with others.

The first is friendship.

The happiest people, researchers find, are those with close friends. It takes work to keep friends and women are much better at it than men. But if you pick up a smart phone, scan your contacts and pick just one name of someone you like and call and say hello, you might find the lens you are looking at life through looks just a little bit brighter.

The other source of a better lens is volunteering. If you doubt that the greater satisfaction lies in

giving, come to Mosseff House, Fox Hill Road, on Sunday morning about 10:30.

That’s where the Bahamas Feeding Network is based and when you see some 40 volunteers prepping, cooking, plating the hot meals to feed more than 1700 people every Sunday, and you see them give them out in the community and load them into vans to distribute throughout the island, you do not see people who have given up their Sunday midday. You see people who feel something deep inside that they may not even be able to put into words.

They did not have to

change jobs to change the picture in front of them.

They just had to give a bit of themselves to help make a small corner of the world a little better.

THE BAHAMAS Feeding Network in action at Mosseff House, Fox Hill Road.

PAGE 10, Thursday, December 7, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Gibson wants issues on Long Island resolved

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net LONG Island MP Adrian Gibson yesterday called on the government to intervene on pressing matters in his constituency which are hazardous to residents, suggesting these had long been ignored.

Among the issues of concern, he told Parliament, is a barge wrecked on the shoreline of Long Island and the state of the roof at the Packing House, leaving employees exposed to the elements.

His remarks came during debate on several amendments to financial services industry laws, passed in the morning session of the House of Assembly.

“Mr Speaker, in recent weeks, a barge wrecked on the shorelines of Long Island,” Mr Gibson said.

“Among the many other items the barge carried 37,000 gallons of diesel, almost 200 poles, vehicles, wire, telephone substations and a crane etc.

“Today, the barge has broken up along the shoreline. The diesel has spilled into the water. The vehicles and other items are in the water. Poles are floating into shipping lanes and we have still not seen any real effort to remove the barge or to have the debris removed.

“I am calling upon the

A GOVERNMENT delegation during a visit to the site of an abandoned barge in Long Island last week.

Photo: Carlyle Sands/BIS “I am calling upon the Organisation for Economic Minister of Transport drenched after a down pour (Frankie Campbell) to of rain. On sunny days, they Minister of Agriculture and Co-operation and Developaddress this matter as it could sit in the Packing Fisheries (Renward Wells) ment (OECD), issued its council’s conclusions on the is a hazard to boaters and House, look up and have a to urgently intervene.

Regarding the financial EU list of non-cooperative the environment and an clear view of the sun given the state of the roof. sector, the MP said the jurisdictions for tax pureyesore.”

“The department head Automatic Exchange of poses - the blacklist.

He continued: “I also has no vehicle to inspect Financial Account InforNotably on that list were note here the need for farms and fisheries, to carry urgent assistance for the produce to the mail boat mation Amendment Bill, several Caribbean counthe Automatic Exchange tries, including Barbados, Packing House staff in and fulfil his other duties; of Financial Account Grenada, St Lucia, TriniLong Island. Such assis- the Packing House does not Information Amendment dad & Tobago along with tance has been privately have boxes to pack produce Regulations and the Inter- Panama and others. requested of the minister in for shipment, with staff national Tax Cooperation In omitting The Bahaon several occasions and I seeking boxes on a weekly Amendment Bill solidified mas, the OECD expressed do so here again. basis from stores on the due diligence obligations. its sympathy and support “The staff are usually island.

On Tuesday, the to the jurisdictions in the

Caribbean region that were severely struck by devastating storms in September 2017, causing casualties and major damage to key infrastructure, and holds the view that the screening process should be put on hold for Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Turks and Caicos Islands and US Virgin Islands.

Nevertheless, the Code of Conduct Group should,

by February 2018, pursue further contacts with these jurisdictions, with the view to resolving these concerns by the end of 2018.

However, Mr Gibson said The Bahamas should act as soon as possible.

“I concur that it is in the country’s best interest of The Bahamas for bilateral implementation of automatic exchange of financial account information through mutual consent.

However, notwithstanding the fact that the first reports must be filed in late 2018, we should in no way dillydally until 2018 to start automatic tax information exchange talks.

“We could easily begin CRS (Common Reporting Standard)-related talks with a number of countries, particular states — such as those in the European Union — that have already been deemed as having ‘participating jurisdiction status,’” he said.

REGISTRATION NEAR END WITH two days left before the registration process ends for the Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP)

YOUR

Employability Survey, the Bahamas Department of Labour along with the Ministry of National Security is making final efforts to

CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019

ensure that as many at-risk, unemployed youth between the ages of 16-29 are able to fully embrace this opportunity for soft skills and technical skills training and job placement.

The launch of the programme signals a step in the right direction towards an alternate approach to crime reduction and employability, targeted specifically towards youth that fall in the requisite categories.

The demographic of young persons - Bahamian or permanent residents - between the ages of 16-29 who are currently unemployed and have not completed high school is the target grouping.

Patricia Rolle, Department of Labour public employment services officer, said while the focus areas include Kemp Road, East Street, Englerston, Bain & Grants Town, Yellow Elder, Fox Hill, Nassau Village, and Centreville, persons from all areas in New Providence are eligible to apply once they meet the criteria.

Chet Pratt, programme consultant, announced Thursday an online survey link is now accessible to the public who wish to register, but may not have the ability to physically visit the Department of Labour Offices at Rosetta Street or Robinson Road.

The survey link is www. surveymonkey.com/r/ csjpemployability The Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP), facilitated by the Ministry of National Security in partnership with the Department of Labour is funded by a $20 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The programme seeks to address four major pillars which include community crime prevention; employability and training of at-risk youth; improving the efficiency of the court system and methods of reducing the recidivism rate through a parole system.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 7, 2017, PAGE 11

Moncur claims someone is trying to kill him

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net FORMER Senator Rodney Moncur said yesterday he believes “someone is trying to kill” him, after his car was destroyed by fire early Saturday morning while he and his wife slept inside their home.

In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Moncur said he fears no one is taking him seriously and the police are not “properly investigating” his claims because of his “out of the box” views and opinions.

Head of Police Fire Services Superintendent Walter Evans confirmed Mr Moncur’s vehicle was “extensively burned” last Saturday and the matter is still under investigation.

However, Mr Moncur said he believes his car was

RODNEY Moncur’s burnt out car “fire bombed” as part of a murder me, they threw a plot to take his life. fire bomb in my vehicle. My “Someone is trying to wife and I were sleeping

around 3am when someone began screaming my name,” Mr Moncur said.

“They tried to burn down my office six times, my house was burned down in Black Village in 2013 and now they burn my car down. I don’t know why anyone would do this to me.

I have never been involved in any illegal activities nor have I done anyone anything to anyone.

“My wife woke me up to tell me that the caretaker was calling me and when I looked I could see the huge flame. Police say they are investigating but no one is taking me seriously. Everyone laughs because of who I am but no one will be laughing if this person kills me.”

Mr Moncur is appealing to the Bahamas Christian Council and politicians to intervene on his behalf to ensure the matter is investigated properly.

“I need them to condemn this attack and help me

because I do not want to die,” Mr Moncur said.

“I am annoyed that someone would come to my home and do this. I am not satisfied that the police are investigating my matter because they have not been successful in all the other attacks against me. To the arsonist, please forgive me for what ever I have done.

Please do not kill me. I do not want to die.”

Last December, then Official Opposition Loretta Butler-Turner announced she had selected Mr Moncur, a controversial justice of the peace who opposed the gender equality referendum and has previously denounced women using birth control pills, to be appointed to the upper chamber.

Mr Moncur is also the host of the talk show “Freedom March”.

DOMINICANS ACCUSED OF FISHING VIOLATIONS TWO weeks after they were apprehended for fisheries violations by members of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF), two Dominicans were charged in court.

Rialerky Lantigua and Yordi Andujar were charged with possession of prohibited apparatuses for fishing purposes, with dive compressors. Both men pled guilty and each were fined $2,000, according to the RBDF. Their bail

was set and the matter was adjourned until February 7 or 8, 2018.

On November 23, a total of 45 fishermen aboard two Bahamian registered fishing vessels were apprehended approximately three miles east of Bimini.

The vessels, were “SRJ” and “Black Bahamian.”

The crew, consisting of 16 Bahamians, 23 Dominicans and six Haitian nationals, was taken into custody after being found in possession

of illegal fishing apparatus, namely diving compressors.

Also found on board the vessels were a large quantity of fisheries products.

The vessels and crew were brought into the capital and turned over to the relevant authorities.

Magistrate Joanne Ferguson said she would also make a ruling whether the vessels would be released, as there were no charges against them and the captains.

A RBDF file photo shows one of the apprehended vessels with skiffs in tow entering the RBDF Coral Harbour Base.

Photo: RBDF Public Relations Section

PAGE 12, Thursday, December 7, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

‘Bank refused to serve me because I wore a cap’

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net A VETERAN police officer claims he was denied service and not allowed to access his pension at the Bank of The Bahamas (BOB) in Freeport for refusing to take off his cap when asked by a teller.

Retired Superintendent James Blatch said he was told at the bank on Monday if he wanted to be served, he would have to remove the hat from his head so that the camera could record him.

He said the incident at the Freeport branch has left him distressed and victimised, and without access to his savings account and pension money.

“It is wrong and unacceptable,” said the senior citizen who has served over 40 years as a civil servant in law enforcement.

Mr Blatch said he went to deposit some money into his savings account and on entering the bank, was confronted by a security officer who advised him and other men they had to remove their caps.

“Some of the men were

resisting and so I asked him why would I have to take my hat off, and he said if I don’t take it off ‘you can’t be served,’ so I tipped the cap and he let me walk in,” he said.

After proceeding to a teller to make his deposit, he was again told that he needed to take off his cap.

“I asked what for? I have my Bahamian passport which is a legal document, and I gave it to her. She said, ‘no, you have to take your cap off for the camera.’

I said, ‘no, that is illegal’.”

When he refused to remove his cap, the teller

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refused to accept his deposit, he said.

“I told her that if she did not want to serve me, then I need to carry all my money.

They called the supervisor who said that if I wanted to carry all my money, I would still have to take off my cap.

I said I would not belittle myself,” he said.

Mr Blatch said he asked to speak with the bank’s manager but was told that he was having lunch. Before the incident on Monday, he said he had already spoken with the manager about the bank’s requests of male clients to remove their caps or hats so their faces could be photographed.

“I told him it was wrong and that it was discrimination, and that it was illegal to record or take people’s picture without their permission.

“The manager told me he was following orders and that it was for security purposes at the bank, but I explained to him that it couldn’t be for security purposes when women are coming in with these big handbags, and there was no metal detector at the door to check their bags.”

Mr Blatch said the manager had promised to look into it and make inquiries with the Nassau branch.

Having served 41 years on the police force, he stressed that if there was a real security issue, the bank should have installed cameras in the parking lot, inside the bank, and have a metal detector at the door.

Although male customers are mainly affected, Mr Blatch also learned that a woman customer whose head was bald as a result of undergoing chemotherapy treatments was also embarrassed when she too had to remove her hat while entering the bank.

He said that he never expected such treatment in

RETIRED Superintendent James Blatch claimed he was refused service after he did not take off his hat at a Bank of Bahamas branch in Grand Bahama. a government-owned bank.

“I feel terrible; I have served this country for 41 years in the public service; no Bahamian should go through things like that,” he stressed.

“I think that people are not paying attention to the violations of our constitutional rights in this country – it is serious. If I come to do my banking at BOB, you should serve me, but they told me I couldn’t get my money unless I take off my cap, so I walked out.

“It was very distressing.

I could not get my pension money. I could not sleep because of the behavior of those people, and poor

people have to go through this at the bank,” he said.

“Our liberties are being snuffed from us gradually, and no one is paying attention to it. And these people have licences to offer a service, and everybody is letting them do whatever they want to do, and you still have to pay for the service.

“Why is (this happening) only at BOB? I spoke to the Central Bank of The Bahamas about it, and they don’t know about these things. We have to get the information out so that Bahamians will know what is happening and know their constitutional rights.”

THE TRIBUNE

Smuggler took migrants and drugs into US A FEDERAL judge has sentenced the leader of an operation that smuggled large amounts of drugs and migrants from The Bahamas to Key Largo to ten years in prison, the Miami Herald has reported.

Things started going south for Manuel De La Caridad Riesgo-Penate, 55, in early March when he lost a shipment of cocaine and marijuana to US Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations agents who stopped a gofast boat about 21 nautical miles east of Key Largo.

On the deck of the vessel were bundles of burlap sacks. As agents approached the boat, one of the men on board tossed a purple backpack into the ocean, according to court documents. The burlap sacks contained 800 kilograms of marijuana. Agents were able to retrieve the backpack, which contained 6 kilos of cocaine, federal prosecutors say.

The two men on the vessel told agents they were paid $15,000 each to bring the drugs from Bimini to Key Largo. The man who paid them, prosecutors say, was Riesgo-Penate. They met at his Blue Heron Lane home in Key Largo to discuss the job days earlier, according to a court document Riesgo-Penate signed in August when he agreed to plead guilty to two counts of drug smuggling and one human smuggling count.

He was originally indicted on four drug counts and 11 human smuggling counts.

After agents caught the two men hauling his coke and weed shipment, another man, who was an

MANEUEL De La Caridad Riesgo-Penate informant cooperating with the US Drug Enforcement Administration, was contacted by Riesgo-Penate about bringing drugs from the Bahamas to Key Largo in a go-fast boat.

“The defendant complained to the [informant] about having lost the previously mentioned shipment of narcotics on March 3, 2017,” Assistant US Attorney Daniel Marcet wrote in the court statement.

Riesgo-Penate introduced the informant to a man named David Menejia Manso, 42, and said he would be joining him in The Bahamas to pick up the drugs.

On April 5, RiesgoPenate drove the informant and Manso from Key Largo to Miami. En route, Riesgo called someone in the Bahamas, and the conversation made clear Manso and the informant would be picking up more than drugs.

“During the drive, the defendant made a phone call to an individual in The Bahamas, during which the defendant confirmed that ‘ten conch chowders’’ — which was code for ten illegal aliens — would be ready for the [informant] and Manso to pick up in Bimini and bring to the United States,” Marcet wrote. “The individual in

the Bahamas confirmed that the aliens were ready to be transported, and further stated that there m ay be narcotics to be transported as well.”

Manso and the informant departed in a speed boat for Bimini, and Riesgo-Penate went back to Key Largo.

On April 9, a man in The Bahamas — not named in court documents — paid the informant $40,000 to smuggle ten migrants to Key Largo — four Jamaicans, five Haitians and one person from Gambia.

The Bahamian also gave the two men a brick of heroin. The cash, a portion of which the Bahamian instructed was for RiesgoPenate, and the drugs were stored below the deck of the go-fast boat.

The informant and Manso drove their boat to an “onshore rendezvous point” where they picked up the human cargo. Later that night, the boat set a course for Key Largo.

A Customs and Border Protection boat intercepted the go-fast five nautical miles off Key Largo. Before the Customs crew pulled up beside the speed boat, Manso tossed a black bag.

Agents did not recover it, but the informant said it contained the heroin and cash.

Manso pleaded guilty in June to one count of conspiracy to encourage “an alien to enter the United States,” one count of human smuggling and one count of aiding and assisting “certain aliens to enter the United States”.

Federal Judge Jose E Martinez sentenced him to five years in prison on Aug. 10.

Thursday, December 7, 2017, PAGE 13

TELETHON FOR HURRICANE RELIEF

THE HeadKnowles Foundation, powered by Aliv and Rev, will hold a two-hour telethon on December 13 for hurricane relief.

Although the HeadKnowles group is known for raising funds and helping restoration efforts for all hurricane victims in the Bahamas, this telethon will focus on aid to Ragged Island and Salina Point in Acklins which were devastated by Hurricane Irma in September of this year.

HeadKnowles, founded by friends Lia Head-Rigby and Gina Knowles, helped with hurricane relief efforts when Hurricane Joaquin hit the Bahamas in October 2015 and brought destruction to parts of the country.

The telethon entitled will air on OurTV channel 212 between the hours of 8pm to 10pm, commercial free and with the hope of achieving the maximum benefits for the two affected islands.

“In the spirit of Christmas and giving, we are appealing to all Bahamians to dig deep into their pockets and give to those who are in need,” said Ms Head-Rigby.

“Gina and I definitely think of ourselves as ‘our brother’s keeper’ and it is our hope that each Bahamian has that same mindset and we get maximum results from this telethon.

“We are very appreciative to Aliv, Rev and J Sawyer and Associates for assisting us with facilitating

this telethon and ultimately assisting the people of Ragged Island and Salina Point, Acklins. We look forward to partnering with them again in the future on other hurricane relief efforts.”

The telethon will be hosted by veteran journalist, Jerome Sawyer, who is also host of the “On the Record” television show.

Local emcee, Chicozie Ijeoma, is also involved with hosting certain aspects of the telethon and many government ministers have signed up to volunteer at the call centre.

As a kick off to the telethon, Aliv has started a “Text-To-Donate” campaign for Aliv customers to donate to the relief efforts.

PAGE 14, Thursday, December 7, 2017

FRANKEN IS EXPECTED TO RESIGN

WASHINGTON (AP) — His once-promising political career in shambles, Minnesota Sen Al Franken appeared on the verge of resigning after fellow Democrats led by female senators abandoned him Wednesday over the mounting allegations of sexual misconduct that are roiling Capitol Hill.

A majority of the Senate’s Democrats called on the two-term lawmaker to get out after another woman emerged Wednesday saying he forcibly tried to kiss her in 2006. That brought to at least seven the number of women accusing him of sexual impropriety.

Franken, the former comedian who made his name on “Saturday Night Live,” scheduled an announcement for Thursday. No topic was specified, but Democratic senators said they expected their liberal colleague to resign.

“Enough is enough,” said Sen Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. “We need to draw a line in the sand and say none of it is OK, none of it is acceptable, and we, as elected leaders, should absolutely be held to a higher standard.”

Gillibrand was the first to call for Franken’s resignation on Wednesday, but a torrent of Democrats quickly followed.

“I’m shocked and appalled by Sen Franken’s behavior,” said Sen Patty Murray of Washington state. “It’s clear to me that this has been a deeply harmful, persistent problem and a clear pattern over a long period of time. It’s time for him to step aside.”

Though the writing appeared to be on the wall, Franken’s departure was not certain. A tweet posted Wednesday evening on Franken’s Twitter account said: “Senator Franken is talking with his family at this time and plans to make an announcement in DC tomorrow.”

THE TRIBUNE

Trump changes US position on Jerusalem WASHINGTON Associated Press PRESIDENT Donald Trump shattered decades of unwavering US neutrality on Jerusalem Wednesday, declaring the sorely divided holy city as Israel’s capital and sparking frustrated Palestinians to cry out that he had destroyed already-fragile Mideast hopes for peace.

Defying dire, worldwide warnings, Trump insisted that after repeated peace failures it was past time for a new approach, starting with what he said was his decision merely based on reality to recognise Jerusalem as the seat of Israel’s government. He also said the United States would move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, though he set no timetable.

“We cannot solve our problems by making the same failed assumptions and repeating the same failed strategies of the past,” Trump said, brushing aside the appeals for caution from around the world.

Harsh objections came from a wide array of presidents and prime ministers.

From the Middle East to Europe and beyond, leaders cautioned Trump that any sudden change on an issue as sensitive as Jerusalem not only risks blowing up the new Arab-Israeli

PALESTINIANS burn a poster of US President Donald Trump during a protest in Bethlehem, West Bank, yesterday.

Photo: Nasser Shiyoukhi/AP peace initiative led by peace,” and Israeli oppo- statement about a city that Trump’s son-in-law, Jared sition leaders echoed his houses many of the world’s Kushner, but could lead to praise. But Palestinian holiest sites. Trump cited President Mahmoud Abbas several: the Western Wall new violence in the region.

No government beyond said Trump’s shift serves that surrounded the Jews’ Israel spoke up in praise extremist groups that want ancient Temple, the Staof Trump or suggested it religious war and signals tions of the Cross that US withdrawal from being a depict Jesus along his cruwould follow his lead.

Israelis and Palestinians peace mediator. Protesters cifixion path, the al-Asqa reacted in starkly different in Gaza burned American Mosque where Muslims say terms. Prime Minister Ben- and Israeli flags. their Prophet Muhammad Trump’s declaration of ascended to heaven. jamin Netanyahu hailed Trump’s announcement as Jerusalem as Israel’s capiAnd there are major raman “important step toward tal is a powerfully symbolic ifications over who should

control the territory. The United States has never endorsed the Jewish state’s claim of sovereignty over any part of Jerusalem and has seen the city’s future as indelibly linked to the “deal of the century” between Israel and the Palestinians that Trump believes he can reach. Beyond Kushner, Trump has dispatched other top emissaries to the region in recent months in hopes of advancing new negotiations.

Trump said he wasn’t delivering any verdict about where an Israeli-Palestinian border should lie. Instead, he described his Jerusalem declaration as recognising the reality that most of Israel’s government already operates from the city, and he suggested the US ally should be rewarded for creating a successful democracy where “people of all faiths are free to live and worship”.

“Today we finally acknowledge the obvious,” he said, emphasising that he wouldn’t follow past presidents who tiptoed around Jerusalem out of diplomatic caution.

US embassies and consulates around the world were put on high alert.

Across the Middle East and Europe, they issued warnings to Americans to watch out for violent protests.

RISE IN HOMELESSNESS IN US FOR FIRST TIME IN SEVEN YEARS LOS ANGELES Associated Press

THE nation’s homeless population increased this year for the first time since 2010, driven by a surge in the number of people living on the streets in Los

Angeles and other West Coast cities.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development released its annual Point in Time count Wednesday, a report that showed nearly 554,000 homeless people across the country during local tallies

conducted in January. That figure is up nearly 1 percent from 2016.

Of that total, 193,000 people had no access to nightly shelter and instead were staying in vehicles, tents, the streets and other places considered uninhabitable. The unsheltered figure is up by more than 9 percent compared to two years ago.

Increases are higher in several West Coast cities, where the explosion in homelessness has prompted at least 10 city and county governments to declare states of emergency since 2015.

City officials, homeless advocates and those living on the streets point to a main culprit: the region’s booming economy .

Rents have soared beyond affordability for

many lower-wage workers who until just a just few years ago could typically find a place to stay. Now, even a temporary setback can be enough to leave them out on the streets.

“A lot of people in America don’t realise they might be two checks, three checks, four checks away from being homeless,” said Thomas Butler Jr, who stays in a carefully organised tent near a freeway ramp in downtown Los Angeles.

Butler said he was in transitional housing — a type of program that prepares people for permanent homes — for a while but mostly has lived on the streets for the past couple of years.

The numbers in the report back up what many people in California, Oregon and Washington

have been experiencing in their communities: encampments sprouting along freeways and rivers; local governments struggling to come up with money for long-term solutions; conflicts over whether to crack down on street camping and even feeding the homeless.

The most alarming consequence of the West Coast homeless explosion is a deadly hepatitis A outbreak that has affected Los Angeles, Santa Cruz and San Diego, the popular tourist destination in a county where more than 5,600 people now live on the streets or in their cars. The disease is spread through a liver-damaging virus that lives in feces.

The outbreak prompted California officials to declare a state of emergency in October.