The Nassau Guardian
Gov’t plans sex offenders register
Minister of National Security Dr. Bernard Nottage yesterday tabled proposed legislation that would provide for the creation of a sexual offenders’ register and a MARCO alert system for missing children.
Nottage has lobbied for stronger child protection laws since 11-year-old Marco Archer was found dead on September 28, 2011, several days after he was reported missing.
“I was directly involved in this matter from the day that I became aware of the missing child, little Marco Archer, and today I have the honor to bring legislation as a result of his tragedy. [It] brings some sense of accomplishment, despite the horrific tragedy,” he said.
The sex offenders’ registry would be managed by the superintendent of prisons.
“The proliferation of violent sexual crimes has wreaked havoc on our small Christian society for far too long,” Nottage said.
“For too long, we have sat by and complained of what could be done and why it should be done and still at the end of the day [did] nothing.
“While there has been much outcry from many victims and their families, I believe the time has come that we must take action.
“With the introduction of this legislation, one sexual offenders’ register will be established and several places will be designated as registration centers.”
Under the bill, an offender would be required to inform the relevant officials of every address or location at which he or she stays or intends to stay, change of address or change of name.
The Mandatory Action Rescuing Children Operation or MARCO alert system, would be similar to the AMBER alert system in the United States, Nottage said.
The AMBER alert system is a voluntary partnership involving law enforcement agencies, broadcasters, transportation agencies and the wireless industry, to activate an urgent bulletin in the most serious child abduction cases.
“The amendment to the Child Protection Act seeks to ensure that never again would [loved ones] feel as though they would have to wait several days if a child or young person goes missing,” he said.
“The guidelines to be enacted will cover all missing children and when a child is reported missing and the police are satisfied that the child is at risk of harm or death, the commissioner [of police] will now be required without delay to cause a MARCO alert to be issued.
“The alert would be disseminated to the public by every means available to the government, including commercial radio stations, television broadcasts, teletexts, electronic network systems, billboards and any necessary means that the minister deems appropriate.”
On August 2, 2013, Kofhe Goodman was found guilty of Marco’s murder.
Goodman was sentenced to death for the killing.
Justice Bernard Turner determined that Archer’s murder satisfied the criteria set by the Privy Council for the imposition of the discretionary death penalty.
Turner said the crime fell within the parameters of the “worst of the worst” and that Goodman showed no prospect of reform due to his continued attacks against this “vulnerable segment of society”.
Nottage said while Marco may no longer be alive, his legacy would be remembered in the bills.
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