Earlier this year when the police gave a national overview of crime in The Bahamas for 2005, it contained some statistics that were a genuine cause for concern. The reported 10 percent increase in serious crime nationally on the surface may not have appeared to be that huge a jump, but included among those serious crimes was a 15 percent increase in murders, with 52 recorded in 2005, compared to 44 in 2004.
[Bahamas B2B Editor's Note: Most smart Bahamians consider a 10% increase in serious crimes a HUGE jump.]
For Grand Bahama and the Northern Region, the statistics were even more chilling. Serious crimes increased by 33 percent, with murders escalating astronomically by 64 percent, from 11 in 2004 to 18 in 2005. Abaco and Bimini accounted for four of the 18 murders, with each recording two.
Nationally and in the Northern Region, that was a big jump, and clearly one of the major reasons for the rise in murders was the seemingly easy availability of guns on our streets.
Admitting that the illegal importation and possession of unlicensed firearms continued to be a challenge during 2005, the police, however, noted that they were able to seize some 212 unlicenced firearms and 4,524 rounds of ammunition. In all likelihood, this represented only a very minute percentage of the guns in circulation in the country and addressing this problem will continue to be an ongoing challenge for the police until a way can be found to stop or discourage those who bring guns into the country from doing so.
Given the fact that The Bahamas is a group of islands, it is virtually impossible to stop smugglers from bringing guns in by sea, so the focus should be on making the punishment for possession of illegal guns severe enough to discourage persons from purchasing them. Surely, if there is not already a law on the books to this effect, lawmakers should make it a priority to pass a law making possession of handguns punishable by a stiff automatic prison sentence. And in cases of armed robbery where a gun is used, the sentence should be severe enough to send the strongest possible message to those who are inclined to commit such crimes that they would think twice before committing the act.
Of even greater concern than the increase in murders was the report by the police of what was termed "a fast-growing trend in Freeport and New Providence" of individuals "soliciting and actually contracting persons to carry out acts of murder." Police intelligence suggested that this trend was also being employed to intimidate and kill witnesses in court cases.
During 2005, they reported that there were at least four cases with respect to witness intimidation, one resulting in the death of an individual and the others with serious injuries. This trend reportedly is still a major concern to the police, and may again be cited as such when the national overview of crime in The Bahamas in 2006 is presented early next year. The murder rate will likewise also be singled out for concern, considering the fact that some 40 murders have been committed nationally so far this year.
Surely the fact that crime remains one of the most serious problems facing the country today is not because our police are not doing a good job. They indeed are. What's lacking, in our view, is a strong commitment from the public-at-large to help rid their communities of the known criminals in their midst.
[Bahamas B2B Editor's Note: Another 'Guardian' statement full of inaccuracies. In fact, the Bahamas police force is riddled with corrupt cops. Also, corrupt police prosecutors losing evidence and failing to show up in court is a primary reason for the dysfunctionality of our legal system.]
It would help, too, if once the criminals are caught, they are processed through the court system quickly and not allowed to use the country's liberal bail laws to remain free to commit more crimes while awaiting trial.
The Nassau Guardian
