Crime

[markr]

What are crime levels like in Bahamas against UK expats? I want to move there (I have a job offer) but we have been told (by an expat) that you can expect to be robbed (in your own home) at least once a year. Is this true please?

[tara]

I'm assuming you're talking about Nassau. It would depend on where you can afford to live. If you are not in a gated community, then yes, you can plan on a break in. Most places have security bars on doors and windows.
We live inland, and have been broken into twice this year.
My radio in my car is ripped out repeatedly within weeks of it being replaced.(windows broken) I had one with a face plate, they took that too. Our boat had an engine lifted right out of it, in the middle of the nite.

It's not what you would expect, but it still beats living in the states.

I think you'll be at home
Sounds like living in the UK!
If it hasn't been nicked it isn't worth nicking!!!!

[jimbunting]

My Brother-in-law, who is a manager for a food wholesale company, has been robbed at lesat 5 times, in the past 10 years, as he leaves the business, to go to the bank, with the cash receipts from the business.

On each occassion, he has been confronted by a armed ( with a hand gun) man, in the parking lot of his business. I have advised him that this is completely unnessesary, as there are a number of other ways to get the cash to the bank, BUT he simply shruggs his shoulders and makes some excuse, about the high crime rates in New Providence.

I have told him that he should hire a security company, with armed guards, to come and pick up the money, or as an alternative, ask for a paid duty Police officer to escort him, and pay for the protection that would offer. He and his boss seem to think that is "too much trouble".

That attitude is what contributes to the "crime problem". By not acting to protect their assets, they are encouraging the continuation of the problem.

The other factor that I see are the methods of the Bahamian Police. Instead of being pro-active, and working to prevent crime, before it happens, they simply respond to calls, after a incident has occurred. They would be well advised to study the methods used in other Police forces, where community policing is practiced, and neighbour hoods have foot patrol, and bike patrols, that can respond quietly and are perfect for hidden observation of high crime areas.

In my times in Nassau, I observed that many homes are protected by burgler bars, and high walls, but I didn't see any Police officers on the residential streets, at night. I also didn't see any evidence of attempts to disrupt the "louts hanging about the streets". Are there no laws about vagrancy, or "prowling by night'?

How about video survelliance of the dope dealers, who are accosting the tourists? How hard would it be to set up a camera position on Bay Street, shooting from a second floor window, to record the actions of the druggies? How about using some people who look like ,and sound like tourists, to act as decoys, and who would testify in court, as to the "offers" that were made to them to buy drugs? How about wiring them, with body pack microphones, to get sound conversations, as well as video recordings, for court evidence?

All of the above are standard Police procedures in Canada, where I live, and are hardly "rocket science" so why not use them in Nassau? Answer, because it would require some new thinking at Police headquarters, and some small amount of "rethinking" of the ways in which the police conduct/work their cases. The results would be immediate, and the effects would be long lasting, as the drug sellers would never be sure who was a tourist, and who was a Police agent/undercover informer.

Your comments?

Jim Bunting. Toronto.