Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith has revealed that there are “over 50 shooters, linked to various gangs” in this country who are responsible for the “significant number of homicides, via gang activity.”
In a statement released to the media on Monday, the Commissioner said this is the reason why the Bail Amendment Bill is a “critical tool” in being a strong deterrent and ensuring that when criminals are held they remain behind bars.
At present, the bill is scheduled to come up on the agenda in the House of Representatives of Parliament.
The Senate, passed the bill earlier this year.
The bill seeks to prevent an accused who is caught with a firearm from being given bail.
The Commissioner said yesterday intelligence agencies have revealed that the 50 plus shooters are active and their purpose is to “take out hits on opposing gang members”.
According to the Commissioner, in the last decade, over 75 per cent of homicides were carried out by persons with illegal firearms in this country, and most by a select few.
He added, at present anyone who is apprehended with a firearm, could be released on bail and be free to possibly assassinate the same person who was the informant that caused their initial arrest.
He said this “improper system” has proven to be a liability in getting law-abiding citizens to come forward and pinpoint possible shooters with illegal weapons.
Commissioner Griffith reminded that a killer has the capacity and capability to kill dozens of persons in cold blood with just one magazine.
He said this is why someone who has been arrested for possession of an illegal firearm must not be granted bail.
He said possession of an illegal firearm is enough for someone to lose their freedom and have bail restricted for 120 days.
The Commissioner said once this approach is implemented it will take the guns away from criminals and get potential cold-blooded murderers, off the streets.