The crime wave must stop
thenassauguardian editorial
It seems as though everywhere you go, crime like an ugly monster, raises its head negatively affecting society and taking away the comforts of safety enjoyed by so many Bahamians over the years.
Even though careful steps have been taken by the leaders of the country to ensure that offenders are brought to justice, there is still a lack of respect by certain criminals in the country, who feel they are above the law and continue to engage in illicit behavior, a number of them inflicting undue pain on innocent people through violent acts.
Some acts are so brutal that there seems to be no regard or concern for human life.
Apart from the number of cases in New Providence where people have been tragically gunned down or stabbed to death after violent altercations with others, Grand Bahama has seen its own share of unexplained and brutal murders that have left many residents in shock.
Just yesterday, a man was brutally stabbed in a crowded bank in front of numerous witnesses.
According to police reports and eyewitness accounts, a man who appeared to be in his mid 30's was preparing to be served by a teller when he was approached by a younger man who began arguing with him.
The argument which was reportedly over money, intensified when the two men began choking and punching each other. The younger man reportedly pulled out a weapon and began stabbing the older man about the body.
Then on Thursday, a woman was attacked outside the Rand Memorial Hospital and her jewelry snatched from her neck. According to Officer-in-charge of the Central Division Superintendent Macktavaus Daniels,"People are becoming violent. We had an incident just this morning where a lady had dropped somebody at the Rand Memorial Hospital and a guy ran up to her, punched her and yanked her chain off her neck,"he said."And so that's where this thing(crime)is going now."
While these incidents represent a small fraction of the number of cases that take place in Grand Bahama and the northern region, one cannot argue the severity of the crimes and the awful disregard for the lives that were lost.
The sad thing about this whole situation is that whether we want to admit it or not, there will be more incidents to report this year as we head into the Christmas holiday.
There will be some that will escape our hearing and others, so brutal, we will wonder if such acts will ever end. The bone-shivering truth is, they will not stop.
So what should the government and concerned citizens do to help stop it?
Some say enforce the laws and resume hanging. Others say always impose the maximum punishment as dictated by law. The reality is, something must be done. During these harsh financial times, and with the tourism industry of the country suffering much loss, The Bahamas cannot afford to be known as a destination where crime is out of hand.
As we move toward a new year, it is time for those in authority to consider and implement new strategies. The criminals are not backing down, they are getting more aggressive everyday, therefore so must the system that brings them to justice.
10/16/2010
thenassauguardian editorial
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
Showing posts with label violent criminal activity Bahamas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label violent criminal activity Bahamas. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The United States State Department's international travel web site has detailed The Bahamas' grim crime problem
US documents Bahamas' crime problem on web site
By KRYSTEL ROLLE ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ krystel@nasguard.com:
The U.S. State Department's international travel web site has detailed The Bahamas' crime problem, painting an accurately grim picture of last year's criminal activities.
The report states, "The Bahamas has a high crime rate. New Providence island in particular has experienced a spike in crime that has adversely affected the traveling public. Pick-pocketing and theft remain the most common crimes perpetrated against tourists.
"However, there has been a spate of more violent criminal activity in 2009. Three separate groups of tourists were held at gunpoint and robbed at popular tourist sites in and near Nassau; each of these incidents occurred during daylight hours and involved groups of more than eight persons. Several other groups of tourists allegedly were victims of armed robbery at more remote locations."
Co-owner of the Grand Bahama Port Authority Sir Jack Hayward recently warned that the Government of The Bahamas must find solutions to the escalating crime problem in the country before countries such as the United States issue travel advisories warning their citizens not to come to this jurisdiction.
"Any moment now the American Embassy could be advising American citizens that this is an unsafe country to travel (to)," said Sir Jack last week during an interview with The Nassau Guardian.
Sir Jack said the disturbing crime trend in the country could threaten both tourism to, and investment in, the country.
The U.S. State Department said in its country overview that the U.S. Embassy has received reports of assaults, including sexual assaults, in diverse areas such as in casinos, outside hotels, or on cruise ships.
"In several incidents the victim had reportedly been drugged. The Bahamas has the highest incidence of rape in the Caribbean according to a 2007 United Nations report on crime, violence, and development trends. Much of the violent crime occurs outside of areas frequented by tourists, such as the 'Over-the-Hill' section of Nassau."
The report added that two American citizens were murdered in New Providence in 2009.
Anna Garrison, a 33-year-old West Palm Beach woman, was found killed in New Providence last year. Her body was found on July 4, wrapped in a plastic bag and bed sheet on the side of a road. Police said she had been killed months before her body was found.
The Guardian was unable to identify the alleged second American victim.
"The upsurge in criminal activity has also led to incidents which, while not directed at tourists, could place innocent bystanders at risk. An altercation at a major resort resulted in the shooting of two security officers, while several daytime robberies in Nassau led to exchanges of gunfire on busy streets," the report said.
The two security officers were shot in the Atlantis Marina Village in November 2009. Additionally, several shootings have occurred in the downtown area and on West Bay Street.
The report also noted the low prevalence of crime in the Family Islands. However, it added that the embassy has received reports of burglaries and thefts on Abaco and Bimini.
The Embassy has reportedly also received reports of "harassment of persons based on sexual orientation. In addition, women have reported incidents of verbal harassment and unwanted attention".
The crime report ended by advising visitors to report crime to the police force as quickly as possible.
It said, the "Royal Bahamian Police Force is responsive to reports of crime and takes the threat of crime against tourists very seriously. However, the police response is sometimes slowed by a lack of resources or by the physical constraints imposed by geography and infrastructure."
The high level of crime has been highlighted internationally on several occasions, most recently in The Washington Post, which quoted State Department's report in an article published in April.
The government has attempted, in terms of personnel changes and infrastructure investments, to address the crime problem, which has worsened in recent years.
Since the Free National Movement (FNM) came to office in 2007, there have been three commissioners of police; three attorneys general; two chief justices; and the second director of the Department of Public Prosecutions is soon to take office.
The government has bought the police a new fleet of vehicles and it is spending more than $20 million upgrading the court system.
The new Magistrates Court complex at Nassau Street is expected to be completed within the next few months.
July 8, 2010
thenassauguardian
By KRYSTEL ROLLE ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ krystel@nasguard.com:
The U.S. State Department's international travel web site has detailed The Bahamas' crime problem, painting an accurately grim picture of last year's criminal activities.
The report states, "The Bahamas has a high crime rate. New Providence island in particular has experienced a spike in crime that has adversely affected the traveling public. Pick-pocketing and theft remain the most common crimes perpetrated against tourists.
"However, there has been a spate of more violent criminal activity in 2009. Three separate groups of tourists were held at gunpoint and robbed at popular tourist sites in and near Nassau; each of these incidents occurred during daylight hours and involved groups of more than eight persons. Several other groups of tourists allegedly were victims of armed robbery at more remote locations."
Co-owner of the Grand Bahama Port Authority Sir Jack Hayward recently warned that the Government of The Bahamas must find solutions to the escalating crime problem in the country before countries such as the United States issue travel advisories warning their citizens not to come to this jurisdiction.
"Any moment now the American Embassy could be advising American citizens that this is an unsafe country to travel (to)," said Sir Jack last week during an interview with The Nassau Guardian.
Sir Jack said the disturbing crime trend in the country could threaten both tourism to, and investment in, the country.
The U.S. State Department said in its country overview that the U.S. Embassy has received reports of assaults, including sexual assaults, in diverse areas such as in casinos, outside hotels, or on cruise ships.
"In several incidents the victim had reportedly been drugged. The Bahamas has the highest incidence of rape in the Caribbean according to a 2007 United Nations report on crime, violence, and development trends. Much of the violent crime occurs outside of areas frequented by tourists, such as the 'Over-the-Hill' section of Nassau."
The report added that two American citizens were murdered in New Providence in 2009.
Anna Garrison, a 33-year-old West Palm Beach woman, was found killed in New Providence last year. Her body was found on July 4, wrapped in a plastic bag and bed sheet on the side of a road. Police said she had been killed months before her body was found.
The Guardian was unable to identify the alleged second American victim.
"The upsurge in criminal activity has also led to incidents which, while not directed at tourists, could place innocent bystanders at risk. An altercation at a major resort resulted in the shooting of two security officers, while several daytime robberies in Nassau led to exchanges of gunfire on busy streets," the report said.
The two security officers were shot in the Atlantis Marina Village in November 2009. Additionally, several shootings have occurred in the downtown area and on West Bay Street.
The report also noted the low prevalence of crime in the Family Islands. However, it added that the embassy has received reports of burglaries and thefts on Abaco and Bimini.
The Embassy has reportedly also received reports of "harassment of persons based on sexual orientation. In addition, women have reported incidents of verbal harassment and unwanted attention".
The crime report ended by advising visitors to report crime to the police force as quickly as possible.
It said, the "Royal Bahamian Police Force is responsive to reports of crime and takes the threat of crime against tourists very seriously. However, the police response is sometimes slowed by a lack of resources or by the physical constraints imposed by geography and infrastructure."
The high level of crime has been highlighted internationally on several occasions, most recently in The Washington Post, which quoted State Department's report in an article published in April.
The government has attempted, in terms of personnel changes and infrastructure investments, to address the crime problem, which has worsened in recent years.
Since the Free National Movement (FNM) came to office in 2007, there have been three commissioners of police; three attorneys general; two chief justices; and the second director of the Department of Public Prosecutions is soon to take office.
The government has bought the police a new fleet of vehicles and it is spending more than $20 million upgrading the court system.
The new Magistrates Court complex at Nassau Street is expected to be completed within the next few months.
July 8, 2010
thenassauguardian
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