Crime in the Bahamas [Archive]

gazeboman

07-23-2008, 05:35 PM

Here's sticking my neck out:cool: with my 2 cents! Criminal activity is either increasing or at least becoming more "visible" in the islands of the bahamas. There is nothing bad or unusual about the bahamas, heck, I love the islands & the people there. I have a Guana soul I cannot control! I have not met anyone there I would not invite into my own home--a lot of truly good people. But still there are some that choose to be law breakers. I believe the level of crime in any society will be a constant multiplied by: population density, economic conditions, educational levels, and the effect of law enforcement. Some of these variables have changed in the bahamas increasing the crime rate. So what can we do about it? As a frequent visitor I can at least make a statement on my immigration card stating I DID NOT feel safe & secure. Does anyone in the government read or keep a data base on those things? If so maybe someone will take note & maybe the goverment will spend some additional $ to "make us feel safer"! More law enforcement & more jails would be my solution. If the trend continues, touristry will suffer, but by then it will be more difficult to correct a downward spiral in the touristry dollar!

Thanks you Dr Ralph for the "stump" to make a statement. I now humbly relenquish the "stump" for those wiser than me to hopefully comment about any possible solutions or actions than can be taken.:)

Patti Puzo

07-23-2008, 05:43 PM

The last 2 years we have noticed that Marsh Harbour has had a different feel to it. What is changing?

gummy67

07-23-2008, 05:45 PM

I was reading an article today about crime in the Bahamas. Per capita they have more murders and burglaries than the U.S. I am sure that majority of those crimes are taking place on New Providence and Grand Bahama. I think I googled Fox Hill.

BahamaAngie

07-23-2008, 06:23 PM

We won't go to Jamaica again due to safety issues. The first trip they took all the men off the bus and wanted to sell them drugs! We spent our trip in an all inclusive but it was scary, my husband will NEVER go back there! (and he ain't a wimp).

abacofever

07-23-2008, 06:32 PM

Wa..Wa..WHAT. Its not April already is it. "Possible Solutions" ? NONE. Not in my life time. Maybe not in 100 years.
Population Density: Increasing for now but not by Bahamins,Same in the US. Fix ..? Real immigration law with teeth and enforcement. Money!
Economic Conditions: Not to bad, some tough times but still on the move. Should be more diverse and not rely on tourst or second home owner as much and make monies available to all local governments to be dispersed as they see fit. Everyone should pay property tax and all monies should stay in local Govt. Nassau can have 10%. Educational Levels: Third world...maybe slightly better but not much. again Money !
Effect of Law Enforcement: About the same as education. Do you have any idea how corrupt this place is ? Agree with more jails. Every major island should have its own 200 room hotel with striped sunshine. The problem is getting them to lock up their own.
Now about personal safety...Very safe compared to the rest of the world.Unless you are involved with drugs the chance of having a personal attack is mighty small. Nassau and Freeport not withstanding. Send all the immigration questionares you want..I heard there is a warehouse that looks like the one at the end of Indiana Jones stacked with crates of them.

Shelby

07-23-2008, 08:48 PM

For as long as I can remember, the Bahamian crime rate per capita has been much higher than the U.S. Until recently, however, most crime activity was limited to Nassau and Freeport. It's only in the past 10-20 years that it's spread to the out islands.

I think the ease of travel and increased tourist traffic to the out islands has attracted an unsavoury element. Crooks follow the tourists, since they tend to be more relaxed (read: careless) about security. Also, from what I've noticed, the drug trade seems to play a role -- certainly in terms of boat thefts.

On the plus side, when I was in Nassau in May, there was a noticeable increase in police presence. There were lots more officers patrolling all the shopping areas and down on Bay Street. And there were regular police patrols in the residential areas. An officer actually came to my grandmother's door promoting an upcoming meeting to form a neighbourhood watch in her area. Hopefully, this will help to reduce the national crime rate.

Sadly, though, I expect that any additional police resources have been allocated primarily to Nassau and Freeport, given that that's where crime is worst. I would encourage Abaco residents and visitors to bring any and all negative experiences to the attention of the Ministry of Tourism and the Out Island Promotion Board. If they feel that tourism is being threatened, it might light a fire under them to lobby government for more policing and resources.

Even with the "increased" level of crime, I'd bet big bucks that Abaco is still one of the safest places in the world and probably safer, overall, than wherever you live the rest of the year. As long as you take the same common sense precautions you would at home -- don't leave cash/valuables in plain sight, don't leave keys in your vehicle, don't get involved with the local drug dealers, lock your doors (I can't believe you have to remind people to do this, but...), the chances of being victimized are REALLY low.

DrRalph

07-23-2008, 09:02 PM

After an extensive telephone consultation, we elected to delete several posts that addressed a certain ethnic element as it relates to crime in Abaco. We really can't dispute what was addressed, but we feel it's just a little too harsh for this site.

We understand the problem and the sentiments of those of you who have had to deal with this issue. We hope you will understand our management.

Sail41

07-23-2008, 09:09 PM

Dr. Ralph,

I don't envy you. You're doing a great job. Thanks!!!

Shelby

07-24-2008, 01:53 AM

I second Sail41's sentiments. :-)

Amanda

gazeboman

07-24-2008, 05:59 AM

I'm sure we all would like abaco to be a special place for our kids and grandkids. At the current rate of change-it won't be. So-more law enforcement, especially in immigration, would make a difference? If we all express that , in large numbers we might be able to make a difference. Email the ministry of Tourism and Out Island Promotion Board. Think of this when you fill out those forms going home. Each of us CAN make a difference!:)

Bahama Out Islands Promotion Board
1200 S Pine Island Road
Suite 750
Plantation, FL 33324-4403
United States
Toll-Free: 800-688-4752
Phone: 954-475-8315
Fax: 954-475-8354
email: donnajane@boite.com

Ministry of Tourism
http://www.bahamas.com/bahamas/contactus.aspx

BahamaAngie

07-24-2008, 09:01 AM

This is quite ironic.....here I was with my husband taking a leisurely ride on a golf cart in TC and pulled over by a policeman on a bike!!!! I felt like it was a joke. But apparently the cart's owner had not had it inspected and I was told to park it!!!!

Alan Brown

07-24-2008, 09:03 AM

Recently, the county I live in, Gwinnett County, was designated by the DEA as being the drug capital of Georgia. They claim that the large number of Mexican illegals living here is the primary cause of our drug problem.

I know it is not politically correct to say that a particular ethnic group, well out of proportion to their numbers, heavily contributes to the local crime rate. However, most of us know that to be the case, whether it be in our own neighborhoods or in the beautiful Abacos. No honest discussion of crime can ignore this sad fact.

As Janis Joplin once sang, "When you ain't got nothin', you've got nothin' to lose." Look for the folks who've got the least to lose, then keep an eye on them. It doesn't matter where they come from.

Abacouple

07-24-2008, 11:04 AM

A friend just returned from a trip to Cozumel. She and her family rented a Jeep to tour the island. She was stopped by the local police for who-knows-what and "cashed out" to avoid being taken to the "police station." She said it seemed to be all they wanted. I, in no way equate that to the Bahamas. Just to say that tourists must be wary in foreign countries (or Miami, lol) where you may not understand the language, customs or the intent of those in which you may come in contact. I have found the people of Abaco to be friendly if not always engaging, but have noticed a slight creeping in of the "thuggish" attitudes commonly seen in some young, US, urban dwellers. This may be arising from the glorification of such images in popular music. On our first trip to Abaco, my wife asked about crime. The cab driver (with his Bible on the dash board) said, "No crime ma'am. Sleep wit door open. Nassau....'nutha story." Wife: Do you worry about hurricanes? (Three weeks before Floyd) Driver: No ma'am. Dis a Christian country. I think I knew right then that I was gonna love it."Just how dumb you are depends on exactly where you are standing at that moment." - Burt Reynolds (in Smokey and the Bandit)

gettin-there

07-25-2008, 05:48 PM

In my few frequents to Abaco, I have 'bumped' into two different individuals who have had boats stolen within the past year. Referrencing these forums, there are an increasing number of boat thefts as of late. Just a few days ago, I got a copy of the most recent Florida Sportsman magazine. Sadly enough, there's an advertisement in the classified section from an individual looking for info on his boat that was recently stolen in Bahamas. I fear that the problem of boat theft is much greater than perceived.

It certainly makes one ponder whether or not to take a boat over if there is an increasing likelyhood of it being stolen......

$ .02

Shelby

07-25-2008, 08:11 PM

Yes, there have certainly been more boat thefts than in the past. But still, I suspect the chances of having your boat stolen are pretty darned slim, and probably not that much greater than back home.

Something else we need to consider when discussing crime in the Bahamas is the "small town" effect. I live in Los Angeles, and if something happens in our own neighbourhood, even just a few blocks away, I might never know about it. (Small-time burglaries and thefts rarely makes the news here.)

But, in the Bahamas, especially on the out islands, news travels at the speed of lightning! If someone has a piece of gum stolen, the whole town knows about it before suppertime -- it might even make the front page of the Abaconian. It's hard to tell whether there really is that much crime, or just that much more discussion about it!

PELLUCID

07-25-2008, 10:06 PM

Statistics released last month show that violent crimes are about flat, but unarmed robberies, burglaries, vehicles thefts, and similar crimes are up:
http://www.weblogbahamas.com/blog_bahamas/2008/06/crime-in-the-ba.html

These are national statistics, so of course they do not address the question of whether crime is migrating out of Nassau/Freeport and into the Out Islands.

Keep in mind that the new administration came in to office with a "competance" agenda. In the instance of crime statistics, that means improved reporting. As many jurisdictions have learned in the US, the immediate effect of better police statistics is an apparent jump in crime levels. This is due to more honest reporting, not an increase in crimes.

Some of you may have wondered about my choice of boat name and board handle. PELLUCID means "transparent". As such, I am a big fan of honesty and transparency, even when it's painful.

So you know my biases :)

gummy67

07-25-2008, 10:17 PM

PELLUCID go to Snappas tonight. If you have no gold teeth or braids you will not fit in.

Stone Malone

07-26-2008, 01:11 PM

PELLUCID go to Snappas tonight. If you have no gold teeth or braids you will not fit in.

I have avoided this thread for just this reason

irina

07-26-2008, 01:51 PM

We owned property in Sint Maarten for 10 years and lived there full time for 3 years. We are originally from New York City (Manhattan). It's all economic. Crime is up everywhere and will continue as long as the economic situation is as it is in these 3rd world countries. Cops are on the take, politicians are all corrupt etc. Everyone is related to SOMEONE so how do you lock them up? It's crooked in the US also but it's so transparent in a little island. We used to pay over $300 us of electric in the same size condo we have in Miami. In Miami we pay $90. The local electric was owned by government and had to pay out to the politician in charge of it that "session". It's all relative. It's not the ethnicity of the group either folks.
Just don't get involved with the wrong people, take normal precautions you would take at home, Paris, New York or Aruba.
Good Luck
Cheers
irina

Tropical Concepts

07-26-2008, 04:01 PM

We have seen much change in the few years that we have been coming here. Crime is much less than stateside, but on the rise- between importing workers from Nassau for Mega developers (last year there was a popular song about locking up your valuables 'cause the people form Nassau are in town'), Haitian immigrants (1/3 the population), lowered economy and Yankee influence.

gettin-there

07-26-2008, 07:35 PM

Everyone is entitled to their opinion and a feeling or vibe doesn't equal statistics..., so that is to preface my comments:

I may lead a sheltered life and have 'wacky' math, but.... I've lived in the Carolinas 40+ years. After careful thought, I can only remember knowing 3 people that have had a car stolen and none that have had a boat stolen. Compared to a few short visits to Abaco, and i know 2 people by name that have had a boat stolen and then these mentioned on this forum......It ain't like where I come from.

Shelby

07-26-2008, 10:11 PM

It ain't like where I come from.

That's the reason most of us go to Abaco.

I don't get it... why would you repeatedly visit a place you believe to be unsafe? 'Course, given Abaco's astronomical crime rate, it's possible you were kidnapped and forced at gunpoint. ;-)

gettin-there

07-27-2008, 12:48 PM

That's the reason most of us go to Abaco.

I don't get it... why would you repeatedly visit a place you believe to be unsafe? 'Course, given Abaco's astronomical crime rate, it's possible you were kidnapped and forced at gunpoint. ;-)

Whoa there.....

Don't get me wrong, I love Abaco and would love to visit more than I do. My comments were specific to boat theft. I already have a boat in Abaco and trust that it is kept in safe storage. Lately, I've been gettin the itch to get a nicer boat with twin outboards. As much as I would like to, It seems that I'd be asking for trouble.

BahamaAngie

07-27-2008, 06:36 PM

oceansong

07-27-2008, 07:33 PM

first off the crime rate is out of control because there is no Government representation on the island to enforce or maintain the laws. i've only seen one security guard (who was a rent a cop). Many visiters don't feel safe because they are used to see a cops. i don't need cops to feel secure on the islands. I've got a knife (jk). :D

Shelby

07-27-2008, 09:01 PM

Point taken, gettin-there. Sad that this even has to be a factor when considering a new boat. For what it's worth, I know a number of people in the Bahamas with boats, and I only personally know ONE who's had his boat stolen.

trubahamian

07-28-2008, 06:49 AM

I guess that as the economy gets weaker,there are people that will turn to tiefin to get by because of weak moral character and frustration.Marsh Harbour is our third city and certainly not as safe as the out islands,but even here we are getting a little more petty crime than before.

BahamaAngie

07-28-2008, 07:14 AM

I think as the economy weakens you are going to see that straight across the board, Bahamas or no Bahamas. I said we saw it here this weekend.

07-28-2008, 08:09 AM

oceansong

07-28-2008, 08:23 AM

ooooh thats sooo scary. I bet that could reach 20 m.p.h. i would be affraid of that.

cookie909

07-28-2008, 09:26 AM

Humph!!!! we got awakened this morning by a police officer knocking at our door about 6:30 am. There were break ins in our area which we usually are quite safe. I said, I didn't have anything to steal. Guess what? I forgot my cell phone was plugged in to my lighter and it was GONE!!!! My husband forgot to lock the car which we parked in the street due to my daughter coming and giving her the driveway. Geez, this is a first. I have to go to police headquarters and pick up my cell phone. They called every # in my cell phone by 5:30 am to determine whose phone it was!

Jeez, Angie, don't your police have anyting better to do than to call all your friends and family at 5:30 a.m. to track down a stolen cell phone? Glad I'm not on your cell phone list. You must live in a pretty safe neighborhood since the police didn't have to chase any killers or boat thiefs. :D

07-28-2008, 09:29 AM

ooooh thats sooo scary. I bet that could reach 20 m.p.h. i would be affraid of that.

lol

Well, the island is 3 miles long so whether it goes 20 mph or 100 mph, I don't think anyone is going to get too far.

trubahamian

07-28-2008, 09:37 AM

I think as the economy weakens you are going to see that straight across the board, Bahamas or no Bahamas. I said we saw it here this weekend.

Sorry to hear u were victimised.

Shelby

07-28-2008, 11:20 AM

I LOOOVE the police cart. :-)

I've been thinking about the boat thefts, specifically. Is there no sort of ignition lock or other security device one could use? It would be better not to have to, of course, but I would think it would provide extra peace of mind.

BahamaAngie

07-28-2008, 11:29 AM

Thanks Tru! Thank God, it was not serious. (creepy feeling though).

Wonkee

07-29-2008, 10:46 PM

I would be afraid...It's GTC where you gonna go? it isnt like the states where you can drive for 2 days and still have room to go. and besides, that Officer knows who you are, where your staying, and what you been doing while there. Thats the beauty, and curse of the Island. No one don't know your buisness. The locals all have a Vhf, and will tell him just where you are, and if you pass.

Wonkee

07-29-2008, 10:52 PM

ON a diffrent note. Just about 2 weeks ago we had 2 seperate rape attempts on workers at the Family Farm. The attacks happened near the Pidgeon Peas, and Mud areas. One nearly killed, left for dead. It is suspected to be the work of a Serial Rapist that fled from Freeport. It was reported that he was caught today in the Mud. Those areas Reguardless of who is living there are hot beds for crime , and because of the nature of the housing situation, make it very easy to hide. The density of people make it hard to single out persons. And the High poverty creates despearte situations.